Ubuntu 24.10 'Oracular Oriole' has been released, celebrating 20 years with new features

Canonical has released Ubuntu 24.10, codenamed 'Oracular Oriole,' celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ubuntu distribution, which first appeared in October 2004 with version 4.10 'Warty Warthog.' This release is the second of 2024, following the long-term support version 24.04 LTS 'Noble Numbat,' in line with Canonical's biannual release schedule.

Ubuntu 24.10 features the latest Linux 6.11 kernel, aligning with a new policy to incorporate the most recent upstream kernel at release for enhanced features and hardware compatibility. The update aims to improve user experience with better desktop performance and stability via GNOME 47.

Security enhancements are a focal point in Ubuntu 24.10, introducing experimental features for privacy-conscious users, including a permissions prompting system using AppArmor for sandboxing. This ensures user consent is required for accessing critical system resources and can be managed through the new Security Center app, which will eventually handle firewall and encryption functions. For Nvidia graphics users, the release defaults to the Wayland display server, utilizing open-source Nvidia 560 kernel modules for improved performance. The update also enhances gaming with an updated Steam snap and better Nvidia driver support. As a non-LTS version, Ubuntu 24.10 will receive updates and support for nine months, catering to users interested in the latest features over long-term stability.