UbuntuHandbook

How to Install Spotify Client in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: April 2, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows how to install the popular Spotify music app in Ubuntu Linux though Snap, Deb, or Flatpak packages.

Spotify supports for Linux officially through Snap package which runs in sandbox environment, and Deb package that’s native in Debian and Ubuntu. For choice, there’s also a community maintained Flatpak package, which also runs in sandbox environment. All of them is available for only x86_64 (Intel/AMD CPUs) platform so far.

Spotify for Linux packages:

Snap package, runs in sandbox and receives updates automatically.
Deb package, the classic package format runs natively in Debian and Ubuntu.
Flatpak package, unofficial community maintained package, runs in sandbox and works in most Linux desktop.

In Howtos Audio, cloud music, spotify

Add Google Gemini AI Chatbot in Ubuntu 24.04/23.10 Panel

Last updated: April 2, 2024 — Leave a comment

Want an AI chatbot in Ubuntu Desktop? There’s now an extension can do the job by adding Gemini AI into GNOME Panel.

Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is an AI chatbot developed by Google. It’s initially released last year in 2023, and available in 239 countries for 46 languages. The AI chatbot is a proprietary software, but available in both free and paid versions.

If you want to try out the Gemini AI, then this is a step by step guide shows you how to do the trick in Ubuntu Desktop.

In Howtos AI Chatbot, Gemini

Flowblade Video Editor 2.14 Adds Editable Titles, Slowmo Playback & USB Shuttle

Last updated: March 31, 2024 — Leave a comment

Flowblade video editor released new major 2.14 version few days ago with exciting new features!

Flowblade is a free open-source multi-track non-linear video editor for Linux, that features built-in G’Mic Tool, batch encoding, and GPU accelerated (Vaapi and NVENC) video encoding.

The new major 2.14 version was released last Friday. It features initial USB jog/shuttle support, so far with following 3 devices support:
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In News video editor

Kodi Announced Discontinuation of its Ubuntu PPA

Last updated: March 30, 2024 — Leave a comment

The popular Kodi media player (formerly XBMC) finally discontinued its official PPA for Ubuntu users.

Meaning that there’s no official Kodi .deb package any more. Users are recommended to use Flatpak package instead!

Ubuntu PPA is a popular way to host up-to-date versions of software packages in .deb package format. And, Wolfgang Schupp has been maintaining the Kodi Team PPA for many years for Ubuntu users. The last version stuck at Kodi 20.2, though there are still add-on updates now and then.

Now, the developer team officially announced the discontinuation of the PPA:
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In News Kodi, XBMC media center

How to Install Blender & Keep it Updated in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: June 29, 2024 — 2 Comments

This is a step by step guide shows how to install Blender app in Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop.

Blender is a popular free open-source 3D graphics software works in Linux, Windows, and MacOS.

Ubuntu includes the software package in system repository, but always old as you know. The upside is that it supports all platforms, including x86_64 (AMD/Intel), arm64 (e.g., Raspberry Pi), ppc64el (IBM Power platform), RISC-V 64, and s390x (IBM zSystems and LinuxONE).

For Ubuntu user on x86_64 (AMD/Intel) computers, the latest version can be installed through following packages:

Official Linux Tarball.
Official Snap package (runs in sandbox).
Flatpak package (Community maintained and runs in sandbox).

In Howtos 3D Graphics, blender

How to Install/Remove Flatpak (.flatpakref) in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: March 29, 2024 — Leave a comment

This is a step by step beginner’s guide shows how to install (or uninstall) Flatpak App Package, including local .flatpakref file, in Ubuntu 24.04.

Flatpak is an universal package format that can be installed in most Linux with a sandbox environment. It’s a free open-source project developed by Flatpak Team, which has closer relationship to GNOME and Red Hat.

As a competitor, Ubuntu has its own universal Snap package runs in sandbox. Flatpak is NOT supported out-of-the-box in Ubuntu, but easy to enable!

In Howtos flatpak

How to Install & Use TeamViewer Free in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: March 28, 2024 — Leave a comment

This is a step by step beginner’s guide shows how to install and use TeamViewer in Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop.

TeamViewer is a popular German remote desktop access and remote control software that works in Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS/iPadOS.

It’s a proprietary software that provides paid versions, as well as free license for personal use. For Linux, TeamViewer provides support for x86/x64, and arm64/armhf devices support. It’s a good choice for users who don’t know how to setup remote desktop sharing.

Remote Control Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop via TeamViewer

In Howtos TeamViewer

Fedora Linux 40 Beta is Released

Last updated: March 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

Fedora Linux announced the Beta release of the next version 40 one day ago on Tuesday!

Fedora is a popular free open-source Linux Distribution owned by Red Hat, which acts as an upstream release for CentOS Stream and RHEL. It features Iot, Cloud, Server, CoreOS, and Workstation defaults to GNOME (and other Desktops as spins).

Like Ubuntu, Fedora has 2 releases every year, but each has only about 13 months support! The next is Fedora 40, which now is in Beta stage!

Fedora 40 Workstation Beta

In News fedora

Blender 4.1 Released! New Nodes, Faster Performance and Python 3.11

Last updated: March 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

Blender, the popular free open-source 3D creation software, announced new 4.1 major release this Tuesday.

Blender 4.1 introduced new geometry nodes, including Index Switch, Musgrave, Split to Instance, Sort Elements, Rotate Rotation, Active Camera. It replaces mesh “Auto Smooth” option with a modifier node group asset, adds support for Blackbody shader node, new Manage panel in Geometry Nodes modifier.
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In News 3D Graphics, blender

Free Planetarium App Stellarium 24.1 Adds Low Graphics Mode

Last updated: March 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

Stellarium, the free planetarium app, release version 24.1 a day ago.

Stellarium is a free open-source desktop app for Linux, Windows, and MacOS. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

The software released version 24.1 this Tuesday that features low-graphics mode support, which can be useful for users running into low FPS, freezing, or lagging issues. User can enable this feature either by passing --low-graphics or -L option when starting it from command line, or by adding the option in the corresponding .desktop file for Linux.
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In News free planetarium software, Stellarium