For Linux Mint users, the Beta release of next version 22.3 is now available to download for testing purpose.
Linux Mint 22.3, code-name “Zena”, features Cinnamon Desktop 6.6.2, modern new application menu, and new application to configure the boot menu.
The Linux Mint blog revealed the exciting new features for 22.3 version in the October monthly news post. The start menu (aka Applications Menu) has been redesigned to look modern in today’s desktop operating systems.
It now has a full height left-bar contains user avatar, user folders, and few core apps (e.g. Settings and Software Manager). The categories now use new XApp Symbolic Icons which look tidy and compact that no longer needs a scroll-bar.
Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon Desktop
The search box can now be moved to the bottom of menu, and the system buttons (e.g., lock, logout, and power-off) can be placed to either in left sidebar or alongside the search box.
In addition, user can configure which kind of apps and user folders to display, and even hide the whole left-bar from the application menu.
Linux Mint 22.3 also renamed System Info to System Information. Besides showing the basic system info, the app merged “System Reports” and “Error Reports”, as well added following new pages:
- USB – displays all plugged-in devices, as well as their types, names, and IDs.
- GPU – shows information about the default graphics card and the status of hardware acceleration support.
- PCI – with detailed look of internal computer components, and their bus IDs, device names, and drivers.
- BIOS – shows the information about the motherboard, BIOS version, boot mode (UEFI or legacy boot), and secure-boot enabled or not.
Moreover, Mint 22.3 introduced new System Administration app, allowing to configure the boot menu (aka Grub boot-loader).
With it, you may choose whether to show the boot menu or not, configure how long the menu displayed before booting the default entry, and select to remember and boot the last choice. As well, it supports adding/editing Kernel and boot parameters.
Other changes include:
- Wayland-compatible keyboard/IM handling.
- Improved on-screen keyboard.
- Ability to pause file operations in Nemo file manager.
- Add ‘Always on’ Night Light schedule option.
- Add ability to send text messages in Warpinator.
Get Linux Mint 22.3 Beta
The official release note is not ready at the moment of writing. You may keep an eye on Linux Mint blog for the announcement and download link.
For the .iso images, choose a download mirror that near to you, then select download either Cinnamon, MATE, or XFCE edition under “testing” directory.
