Fwupd 2.0 released: Drops legacy signing, adds Darwin & expands hardware compatibility

Fwupd 2.0 has been released, marking a significant update for the Linux firmware management tool. The update features a streamlined architecture that reduces both runtime memory usage and CPU startup costs, effectively boosting overall performance. Additionally, legacy signing formats and outdated command-line tools have been removed to simplify the user experience.

The plugin framework has undergone a transition from using libgusb and GUdev to libusb and sysfs, which is expected to enhance system compatibility and performance. A new firmware streaming method has been introduced, allowing binaries to be streamed over a file descriptor, thereby reducing system overhead. For developers, a new configuration option has been added that allows them to bypass firmware requirements during development, providing greater flexibility.

Fwupd 2.0 also enhances the user experience with more transparent update processes. This includes notifications for devices that require a reboot and expanded options for modifying configurations. A privacy policy URL is now included in the remote configuration settings. Furthermore, the update addresses numerous bugs, improves the D-Bus IPC layer abstraction, and strengthens service file security. Hardware support has been expanded to include devices such as Algoltek USB card readers, HP docks, and Cable Matters USB hubs. The update also introduces Darwin support in the build helper, increasing compatibility across different operating systems.