COSMIC Alpha 7 released with enhanced workspaces, new accessibility features, and more

System76 has unveiled the seventh alpha release of COSMIC, its forthcoming Linux desktop environment. This update introduces the ability to move workspaces by clicking and dragging, allowing users to reorder them on the current display or move them across displays. Additionally, pinning a workspace will now prevent it from being removed when empty.

New accessibility features include a high contrast mode, color filters, color inversion, and mono sound, with improvements to the magnifier tool. Tooltips now appear when hovering over items in the app tray, workspaces, app library, and launcher, aiding in app and feature identification.

The update also enhances compatibility for global shortcuts and introduces new XWayland fractional scaling settings for improved handling with X11 applications. Adjustments to COSMIC's shortcuts system aim to maintain intuitive desktop navigation. Additionally, a seek ahead search feature in the file browser allows for quicker file path navigation and auto-complete options.

Sound settings now include a left-right balance scale for ear-specific sound control. This alpha release also includes multiple other enhancements and bug fixes, continuing to refine the COSMIC desktop experience.