Linux distribution KaOS completes migration to KDE Plasma 6 with latest release

KaOS, an independent Linux distribution focused on Qt and KDE, has announced the release of its version 2024.01. This version marks the end of Plasma 5 as the default Desktop Environment for KaOS, as the migration to a Frameworks 6, Plasma 6 based distribution is now complete, after almost fifteen months of development.

The latest release includes all applications that users are familiar with in a Frameworks 5 / Plasma 5 version, now available as a Frameworks 6 / Plasma 6 port. However, a few applications that are yet to be ready are still packaged with Frameworks 5, allowing them to be used in a Plasma 6 environment. Applications that depend on parts of Plasma 5 will be absent from the KaOS repositories until their ports are ready for daily use.

The Plasma 6 move also brings a refreshed look and feel, with the exclusive Midna theme to KaOS being completely redesigned.

System base updates include a shift to FFmpeg 6, fully updated Boost 1.83.0/ICU 74.1 stack, LLVM/Clang 17.0.6, kernel moved to Linux 6.6.14, Systemd 254.9, Python 3.10.13, Util-Linux 2.39.3, IWD 2.13, MariaDB 11, and PostgreSQL 16.

The Plasma 6 desktop includes the latest Plasma (5.93.0), KDE Gear (24.01.95), and Frameworks (5.249.0), all built on Qt 6.6.1. SDDM 0.20.0 has added the option to run this display manager in Wayland mode, moving KaOS a step closer to transitioning away from X11.

The Calamares installer now features an automated partitioning option that supports all popular file systems, eliminating the need for manual partitioning to choose XFS, EXT4, BTRFS, or ZFS.