Distribution Release: Pop!_OS 20.10

System76, a US-based manufacturer of Linux desktops, laptops and servers, has announced the release of Pop!_OS 20.10, the latest version of the company’s Ubuntu-based Linux distribution. It includes various usability improvements, such as stacking tiled windows, floating window exceptions, fractional scaling or external monitor support in hybrid graphics mode: “Pop!_OS 20.10 is the result of fine-tuning features released in version 20.04. Similar to the tabs in your web browser, stack tiled windows atop one another for easier organization. First, use Super + S to convert a window into a stack. Using Super + Enter and your arrow keys or Vim shortcuts will add a window to your stack. You can also launch an application into the stack using Super + / to add it automatically. Super + Left or Right arrows cycles between windows in the stack. Lastly, move windows out of the stack and press Super + S to convert it back to a standard window.” Read the rest of the release announcement for more information, screenshots and screencasts. As always, there are separate ISO images for computers with Intel and NVIDIA graphics cards;

download (SHA256, pkglist):

pop-os_20.10_amd64_intel_1.iso (2,295MB),

pop-os_20.10_amd64_nvidia_1.iso (2,619MB).

What’s New in Pop!_OS 20.10

Pop!_OS 20.10 is the result of fine-tuning features released in version 20.04. Continue on to see what we’ve added!

New to Pop!_OS 20.10

Linux Kernel version 5.8
GNOME 3.38
Security updates (also added to Pop!_OS 20.04)

SUPPORT FOR DEB822 REPOSITORY FORMAT
With the new deb822 format, the system sources list is now more compact and easier to understand. See example source below:

Enabled: yes
Types: deb deb-src
URIs: http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
Suites: groovy groovy-security groovy-updates groovy-backports
Components: main multiverse restricted universe

This addition also includes a new library for repository management, which adds features such as the ability to change the default system repository mirrors, reset mirrors to defaults, and change the names of your repositories.

Added since release of Pop!_OS 20.04

STACKING

Similar to the tabs in your web browser, stack tiled windows atop one another for easier organization. First, use Super + S to convert a window into a stack. Using Super + Enter and your arrow keys or Vim shortcuts will add a window to your stack. You can also launch an application into the stack using Super + / to add it automatically. Super + Left or Right arrows cycles between windows in the stack. Lastly, move windows out of the stack and press Super + S to convert it back to a standard window.

To see Pop!_OS Stacking in action, watch the tutorial below:https://safe.txmblr.com/svc/embed/inline/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1TSdFWY_U9A#embed-5f958c1197b13168849495-partied

FLOATING WINDOW EXCEPTIONS

Some application windows are too small to tile efficiently. After updating, you can now set Floating Window Exceptions, which prevents these windows from tiling.

To use this feature, go to the tiling menu in the top right corner of your screen, choose Floating Window Exceptions, and click “Select”. This will bring you to the Activities Overview. Select the window you would like to make an exception. This can be applied to all windows from the application or solely the window you selected.

Beneath “Select”, you will find a list of default system exceptions based on feedback from Pop!_OS users. Clicking on the menu will allow you to toggle the exceptions off and on, depending on your preferences.

FRACTIONAL SCALING

Set your desktop to your optimal viewing size. Cycle between 125%, 150% and 175% scaling in the Displays menu in Settings until you find the right fit.

EXTERNAL MONITOR SUPPORT IN HYBRID GRAPHICS MODE

Previously, users had to reboot their computers into NVIDIA mode in order to use an external monitor. Now external monitors are supported in Hybrid Graphics mode as well. Users in Hybrid Graphics mode will no longer need to reboot their machines or switch modes when plugging in or unplugging an external monitor.