What’s new in Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

The Ubuntu 20.04 LTS availability was announced last week (23rd April) and there are some exciting new features. Let’s go!

What’s new in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)

Ubuntu 20.04 – code name “Focal Fossa”. In case you’re wondering what’s Fossa? It is a cat-like, carnivorous mammal endemic to Madagascar. Ubuntu called it “Felicity”, the Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Moscot, just like previous releases.

Ubuntu 18.04 users might notice some UI and performance changes. Here are some of the new features in Focal Fossa.

Theme

Ubuntu 20.04 includes a dark theme. The refreshing Yaru theme is the default UI theme which comes in 3 variations: light, standard and dark theme.

Do not disturb

Ubuntu 20.04 has a “do not disturb” toggle button under the notification area. If you ever get distracted by notifications, you can turn it off.

Fractional Scaling

Fractional scaling is primarily to improve the user experience with modern HiDPI displays. Fractional scaling was present in 19.10, but was hidden. Now It’s added with a simple toggle button under Display setting, you can scale the display from 100% to 200%.

ZFS Support

Ubuntu became the first linux distribution to add ZFS in ubuntu 20.04. ZFS is the only file system that supports data protection. However, do keep in mind that it’s still kind of EXPERIMENTAL in Ubuntu 20.04. ZFS had not entirely been accepted by the Ubuntu community due to incompatibilities with CDDL and Linux’s GL license. 

While still experimental, Ubuntu has added zsys, an integrated tool which can take automatic snapshots. This can help users to roll back, in case of an update gone bad. These snapshots are available in GRUB boot menu and can be used as backup features.

Avatar

Ubuntu 20.04 has a new login screen with Avatar. You can change the avatar from the settings.

Bye Bye Amazon launcher and Python 2

The Amazon shopping app launcher which only opens amazon website in your country in firefox is now removed from Ubuntu 20.04. 

The Last Ubuntu releases have Python2 or Python3 or both. Ubuntu 20.04 comes pre-installed with Python3. Users have to update their code to Python3.

Fingerprint login

Ubuntu 20.04 supports fingerprint login, if your device has fingerprint hardware, you can now use fingerprint security.

Remove dock

In the previous Ubuntu releases, you can change the position of the dock but you can completely remove the dock if you don’t like it in Ubuntu 20.04.

Install app using Snap

If you try to install an app, you can use snap instead of apt. Ubuntu 20.04 suggested before “apt”, however you can still use “apt”.

No 32-bit

Ubuntu is not providing 32 bit iso of few last releases, however existing 32 bit users could upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04. But users can not upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 with 32 bit systems now.

Tier-1 OEM support

Starting with Ubuntu Desktop 20.04 LTS, it is now possible to obtain a certified device experience by installing the general release of Ubuntu. When installed on certified hardware, the device-specific enablement will be automatically installed and configured; just as it would be in the preloaded factory images.

Boot Fast, Install Fast

Ubuntu 20.04 takes less time to install and boot. It boots faster in comparison to 18.04.

Upgrade or Download

Click here to download Ubuntu 20.04. If you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04, you have to wait till July 2020.

What’s one feature you liked the most and where you think Ubuntu could have given more, do let me know!