openSUSE announces arrival of KDE Plasma 6 in Tumbleweed and Kalpa versions

openSUSE, the well-known Linux distribution, has announced the arrival of KDE Plasma 6 in its Tumbleweed and Kalpa versions. This follows the update of the desktop environment to KDE Plasma 6 by KaOS, KDE Neon, and other Linux distributions, subsequent to the KDE megarelease several weeks prior.

This upgrade represents a significant shift for KDE desktop users, including the rolling release users and the developer community. The update is slated to be incorporated into a Slowroll release in April, with version-bumps anticipated between April 2 and April 14.

openSUSE has expressed that “The transition not only signifies an advancement in aesthetic and functionality, but also underscores openSUSE’s commitment to providing this highly anticipated technology to its users.”

Plasma 6 introduces numerous enhancements and features that accommodate a wide range of users, from tech enthusiasts to casual users. The update involves major under-the-hood changes, including a transition to the latest Qt application framework and migration to the Wayland display server protocol, which is expected to become the default graphical session.

However, the Wayland session has not yet been set as the default in Tumbleweed. This decision enables users and developers to determine whether any issues that arise are due to Plasma 6 itself or the Wayland session. Tumbleweed’s KDE desktop derivative, Kalpa, plans to switch to Wayland as the default.

The developments include amplified security, performance, and enhanced support for modern hardware. The new release features an overview and desktop grid effects, improved touchpad gestures, and partial High Dynamic Range (HDR) support on Wayland. Combined with the new 'Scarlet Tree' wallpaper, these features transform the desktop into a vibrant and dynamic workspace.

Despite the numerous benefits promised by the transition to Plasma 6, a few minor issues have been identified in the snapshot. However, none were considered severe enough to delay its release.