Raspberry Pi OS now comes with PulseAudio and a graphical printer manager
Big Presents
© Lead Image © piko72, 123RF.com
The Raspberry Pi Foundation regularly adds new features to the official operating system, Raspberry Pi OS. The December 2020 update added the PulseAudio sound server and a print manager.
In practice, Raspberry Pi OS fulfills many of the functions supplied by other operating systems and the popular Linux distributions; however, a few deficiencies exist. In particular, the configuration of printers and sound devices has never been trivial – until now. In the latest update [1], Raspberry Pi OS was extended to include PulseAudio and a better print manager. Bluetooth speakers can now be integrated more easily, and sounds from multiple sources can be output simultaneously.
Linux is a historically evolved system that changes continuously. New versions fix bugs or add features but do not bring about fundamental change. However, every few years, more profound innovations occur, such as the replacement of the X.Org display manager by Wayland, and before that the switch from the SysVinit to systemd, and before that the integration of the PulseAudio sound server.
PulseAudio
The advanced Linux sound architecture (ALSA) provides drivers in the kernel to integrate sound cards and takes care of configuration. However, ALSA reaches its limits on modern systems; for example, only one application can output sound at any given time. For example, while a YouTube video plays in the browser, a messenger program cannot play a notification sound. Also, Bluetooth devices can only be connected in a roundabout way.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Foundation Report Indicates AI Driving Tech Hiring
Within growing security and skills gaps, AI has been found to be a positive driving force behind tech hiring trends in Europe.
-
United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
A new open source portal seeks to coordinate and scale open source efforts across the United Nations system.
-
KDE Linux Drops AUR
KDE Linux developers have dropped the Arch User Repository from the build pipeline due to security concerns; other distributions should consider doing the same.
-
California May Exempt Linux from Its Age-Verification Law
After backlash from the Linux community, California may be backing off on its promise to force all operating systems to verify age, but one platform may still have to comply.
-
Another Logic Bug Found in Linux Kernel
Qualys has discovered a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can be used to elevate standard user privileges.
-
Ubuntu Core 26 Offers Game-Changing Enterprise Features
Ubuntu Core 26 could be a game-changer for organizations looking for increased security and reliability.
-
AI Flooding the Linux Kernel Security Mailing List
AI is giving Linus Torvalds a headache, but not in the way you might think.
-
Top Priorities for Open Source Pros Seeking a New Job
Professional fulfillment tops the list, according to LPI report.
-
Container-Based Fedora Hummingbird Designed for Agent-First Builders
Fedora Hummingbird brings the same approach to the host OS as it does to containers to level up security.
-
Linux kernel Developers Considering a Kill Switch
With the rise of Linux vulnerabilities, the kernel developers are now considering adding a component that could help temporarily mitigate against them… in the form of a kill switch.