Planet Computers Launches ARM-Based Linux Desktop PCs

Planet Computers has brought to market a new line of mini Linux desktop computers. The XR series is powered by ARM multicore processors and runs Ubuntu Linux 20.04.

According to Janko Mrsic-Flogel, CEO of Planet Computers, "By productizing Linux into a mini desktop PC, the XR is another step toward creating a more open and inclusive computing ecosystem."

The XR series will launch with two different units: XR1 (4-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage) and XR2 (8-core CPU, a Mali-G610 GPU, from 4GB to 32GB of RAM, and from 32GB to 256GB of internal storage).

Both options offer dual gig Ethernet and WiFi 6, as well as built-in Internet relay support, 8K video encoding/decoding, and both 4k and 8k output. There is zero configuration necessary and ports include 2 x 1GB Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.0, 1 HDMI video in/2 HDMI video out, 4 x USB 4.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB-C 3.0, 1 x USB-C 2.0, a headphone jack, and a microSD + SIM slot.

Both devices include a color touchscreen that gives you access to different configuration options, the time/date, and even the Power button.

You can pre-order the XR series now on the Planet Computer site (https://store.planetcom.co.uk/). The XR1 sells for $614.00 and the XR2 for $774.00.

Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak

Anyone who has followed the rise of universal package managers such as Snap and Flatpak is fully aware of the difference between the two technologies and how one is more distribution agnostic than the other.

I'm talking about Snap, which is driven by Canonical, the company that happens to be behind Ubuntu.

Both Snap and Flatpak are great methods for installing software, especially proprietary applications that do not have ports to the more traditional package managers such as Apt and DNF. Snap and Flatpak make the installation of tools such as Spotify, Slack, and Skype considerably easier.

Snap comes pre-installed with Ubuntu, the official Ubuntu spins, and many Ubuntu-based distributions. As well, some official spins have also included Flatpak. The combination of Apt, Snap, and Flatpak meant users had a plethora of applications to install.

Canonical has made the decision that Ubuntu spins are no longer allowed to ship with Flatpak installed (https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/ubuntu-flavor-packaging-defaults/34061). You can still install Flatpak on Ubuntu and any one of its spins from the standard repositories with the command sudo apt-get install flatpak -y.

This change affects all Ubuntu spins, including Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, Ubuntu Unity, and Xubuntu.

openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Available

You might not be surprised that the final release in the openSUSE Leap 15 series doesn't include a lot of new features. In fact, this new beta release is quite bereft in the new features category. As expected, Leap 15.5 is really just about bug fixes and new versions of the installed applications.

However, tucked inside the list of new packages, you will find the Leap version migration tool, which makes it possible to migrate from one release to another with the ease of a GUI.

The tool has been streamlined such that moving to the next available release can be done with a single click. So, if you're currently using a previous openSUSE Leap release (or are on the 15.5 Alpha), you can migrate to 15.5 with ease.

Some of the new package releases for openSUSE Leap 15.5 include Python 3.10, mdadm 4.2, KDE Plasma 5.27, Linux kernel 5.14.21, and the Mesa 22.3 graphics stack.

OpenSUSE Leap 15 began back in 2018, so it's had a pretty good run. For anyone who wishes to go with the latest, greatest version of openSUSE, consider the rolling release candidate, Tumbleweed (https://get.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/).

However, for those who prefer a more traditional release cycle, Leap is the way to go.

Download the beta version of openSUSE Leap (https://get.opensuse.org/leap/15.5/) and read the full blog post about the release (https://news.opensuse.org/2023/02/21/leap-reaches-beta-phase/).