GNOME 48 “Bengaluru” launches with stacked notifications, HDR support, and much more

GNOME has unveiled its latest major release, GNOME 48 “Bengaluru”, a significant update to one of the most popular desktop environments for Linux. This version introduces several key features and enhancements aimed at improving user experience and performance. One of the standout features is the new stacking system for notifications, where notifications from the same application are grouped into expandable stacks, streamlining the notification list for easier navigation. Performance has also been a focus, with the introduction of dynamic triple buffering, which promises smoother operation.

GNOME 48 brings updates to its visual elements, with a new interface font, Adwaita Sans, and a new monospace font, Adwaita Mono. The image viewer has received enhancements, and Text Editor has been refreshed for a cleaner interface. Digital wellbeing features make their debut in this release, offering tools for users to monitor screen time, set screen limits, and receive break reminders, promoting healthier computer usage habits. A new feature aimed at prolonging battery life has also been included, alongside the introduction of Decibels, a minimalist audio player for audio file playback.

Additionally, GNOME 48 marks the initial introduction of system-level HDR support, expanding its capabilities in handling high dynamic range content. These updates, along with numerous other changes and improvements, continue to refine and enhance the GNOME desktop environment.