Nov 3, 2024 at 4:50 PM COSMIC Alpha 3 released with enhanced file management and improved accessibility features
System 76 has released the third alpha for COSMIC, its GNOME-based desktop environment tailored for Pop!_OS, their custom Linux distribution. COSMIC Alpha 3 introduces numerous updates, notably to COSMIC Files, which now includes enhanced preview and gallery modes, file search improvements, and support for mounting encrypted drives and running executable files. JPEG XL file support has also been added.
Screen reader functionality is in an early test phase, currently compatible with Firefox and GNOME applications using the Orca screen reader. Plans are underway to extend support to COSMIC interfaces and applications. An accessibility applet for toggling the screen reader from the panel is forthcoming.
The Appearance Settings panel now features experimental settings for customizing system fonts and icons, alongside power-saving management options. Applications, the App Library, and Launcher have been upgraded to a new version of libcosmic.
The COSMIC Store now includes a “Made for COSMIC” section, showcasing community-developed apps, and supports local Debian packages and Flatpak apps. This release also includes a range of bug fixes and performance improvements.
- Desktop Environment
- Free • Open Source
Related news
External links
- Alpha 3: Tales from the COSMIC Desktop Environment
- COSMIC Desktop Alpha 3 Brings Further Improvements
- COSMIC Desktop Alpha 3 Released With More Enhancements
- COSMIC Linux Desktop Gets Alpha 3 Release
- COSMIC Desktop Alpha 3 Released, Here’s What’s New
- COSMIC Alpha 3 Released: A Hands-on Look At The New Features
considering they're still calling these alpha builds, it's been astounding how few (environment breaking) bugs it has, the whole experience is almost stable enough to 'daily drive' already. I'd argue it feels much closer to a late-beta product than the 3rd alpha build. Very impressive - the tiling alone is unlike anything we've seen from a traditional desktop environment. There's absolutely some stuff they need to work on, but when you remember its still an alpha build there's not much to scoff at. Very, very impressed and excited to see what their future holds.
should note, this is the rust version of COSMIC, while gnome inspired, is not based on gnome