Ubuntu 20.04 [1] "Focal Fossa" is a Long Term Support (LTS) release. LTS releases happen every two years, for the benefit of businesses that do not care to update every six months, as well as any users who value stability. Until 2025, Ubuntu 20.04 will receive updates, security fixes, and support. Enterprise clients can also receive an additional five years Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) releases.

As an LTS release, Ubuntu 20.04 does not introduce many new features. Instead, its emphasis is on stability, which means that some new features are not obvious to users. Existing Ubuntu users may notice a dark version of the default theme – and the inclusion of Gnome 3.36, which includes improved font support and fixes to Gnome Web, Gnome's web browser. Another new feature is Linux Kernel 5.4, which includes Linux kernel lockdown, a component that improves security by restricting access to the kernel.

Ubuntu 20.04 also includes two controversial choices. First, you won't find the Amazon Web app. This feature, which allows direct access to Amazon from the desktop, has been controversial for years, inspiring complaints about lack of privacy and security and even generating a rebuke from Free Software Foundation founder Richard Stallman. Ubuntu did not give any reason for the removal, but a likely reason is that the controversy has simply not gone away over time.

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