Canonical launches Ubuntu Core 24 for IoT, embedded and edge devices with 12 year support

Canonical has announced the general availability of Ubuntu Core 24, an immutable Ubuntu flavor optimized for IoT, embedded, and edge devices, backed by a 12-year Long Term Support (LTS) commitment. Ubuntu Core 24 introduces validation sets for custom image creation and offers enhanced control over automatic network requests, crucial for highly regulated environments. Device manufacturers can now disable network communications during initialization, and offline remodeling is supported for air-gapped environments.

The release brings new GPU integrations and features, allowing developers to embed AI models and graphics-accelerated applications. Updated graphics drivers and a shared userspace environment improve hardware compatibility and resource utilization. Ubuntu Core 24 also integrates with Landscape and Microsoft Azure IoT Edge for flexible device management.

Canonical has also released Azure IoT Edge snaps for seamless integration with Azure IoT Edge services. Robotics innovators will find new device management, optimized installation, and AIoT features beneficial for scaling products, along with production-ready integrations for the Robot Operating System (ROS).