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The First Point Release of Ubuntu 20.04 Available to Download

Last updated: August 7, 2020

Ubuntu 20.04.1, the first point release for the LTS, was released. ISO images and upgrade from Ubuntu 18.04 are available.

This point release DO NOT contain updated Kernel and X stack. It contains various bug fixes to installation, upgrade, desktop, server and cloud, and Kernel and hardware support updates. See change summary.

Download / Upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04.1:

The desktop and sever ISO images are available for download at the link below:

For Ubuntu 20.04, simply install regular updates via Software Updater will bring you to Ubuntu 20.04.1.

For Ubuntu 18.04, if you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04, do:

  1. Keep your system up-to-date by installing all system updates via Software Updater.
  2. Restart your computer after installing updates if Software Updater asks.
  3. Launch Software & Updates, select Download from “Main sever”.
  4. Still in Software & Updates, under Updates, choose Notify me of a new Ubuntu version “For any new version”.
  5. Finally launch Software Updater. It will prompt that Ubuntu 20.04 available to upgrade.

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Automatic CPU Speed & Power Optimizer Auto-cpufreq 1.2 Released

Last updated: August 7, 2020

Auto-cpufreq, automatic CPU speed & power optimizer for Linux to improve battery life, released version 1.2 with AMD support.

Different to cpufreq indicator and / or TLP, Auto-cpufreq automatically make “cpufreq” related changes based on active monitoring of laptop’s battery state, CPU usage and system load. Ultimately allowing you to improve battery life without making any compromises.

How to Install Auto-cpufreq in Ubuntu:

Auto-cpufreq is available as Snap package, which can be easily installed from Ubuntu Software:

Don’t like the containerized snap package? You may also download the source tarball which contains an install script:

Extract and go into the source folder, then right-click on blank area and select ‘Open in Terminal’

Finally run the installer via command:

sudo ./auto-cpufreq-installer

How to run Auto-cpufre:

Once installed the tool, you can run it with different flags:

1. Monitor and suggest CPU optimizations by running command:

sudo auto-cpufreq --monitor

2. Run the tool to improve battery life for temporary use (work until reboot):

sudo auto-cpufreq --live

3. Install the daemon so it will work permanently and silently in background.

sudo auto-cpufreq --install

4. Uninstall the daemon to stop the service:

sudo auto-cpufreq --remove

see auto-cpufreq in github

In App Review, News
 

Pinta 1.7 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: August 6, 2020

Open source painting software Pinta 1.7 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 18.04.

Pinta 1.7 is the first release in over 5 years. Release highlights include:

  • Added a tab view to switch between images.
  • Rotate / Zoom dialog now supports zooming and panning
  • Added a Smooth Erase tool
  • The Pencil tool can switch between different blend modes.
  • Added support for JASC PaintShop Pro palette files.
  • The transform tools can now rotate in fixed increments by holding Shift.
  • The Move Selected tool can now scale by holding Ctrl.
  • Dragging and dropping a URL (e.g. image from a web browser) to download and open the image
  • Rewritten user guide.
  • See release note for details.

How to Install Pinta 1.7 in Ubuntu:

The Pinta official PPA has made the packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 19,x and 20.

1. Open terminal from system application menu, and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pinta-maintainers/pinta-stable

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then you can upgrade Pinta from an old release via Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run apt command in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install pinta

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository, either use Software & Updates -> Other Software, or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:pinta-maintainers/pinta-stable

And remove Pinta if you want via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove pinta
In Howtos, News
 

Vivaldi Web Browser 3.2 Released with Improved Pop-out Video

Last updated: August 5, 2020

Vivaldi web browser 3.2 was released today. The new release added a mute button to the pop-out video (picture-in-picture) mode.

Vivaldi 3.2 release highlights:

  • Add mute button to Picture-in-picture window
  • Option to change Close Tab button position
  • Support Alt+F4 to close Task manager
  • Various improvements to Notes Manager
  • Overall improvements and security fixes.

Download / Install Vivaldi in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB packages are available for download at the link below:

Grab the deb matches your OS type, then install it via either Ubuntu Software or Gdebi package manager. Or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_3.2*.deb

You may also add the official Vivaldi apt repository to your system, to be able to receive the browser package updates via Software Updater utility.

Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for terminal from application menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one:

1. Download and install the repository keyring:

wget -qO- https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -

Typer user password when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Add Vivaldi repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main'

3. Finally check updates and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vivaldi-stable

Or upgrade from an old version via Software Updater utility.

(Optional): To remove Vivaldi apt repository from you system, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

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How to Install Linux Kernel 5.8 in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 4, 2020

Linus Torvalds announced the release of Linux kernel 5.8 two days ago on Sunday. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu and / or Linux Mint.

New features in Linux Kernel 5.8 include:

  • Qualcomm Adreno 405 / 640 / 650 open-source support.
  • AMDGPU TMZ support.
  • Intel Tiger Lake SAGV support.
  • New Arm SoC and platform support.
  • AMD Energy Driver.
  • Initial support for booting POWER10 processors.
  • Intel Tiger Lake Thunderbolt support for Intel’s Gateway SoCs.
  • And many other new features and improvements.

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.8 in Ubuntu:

The mainline kernel packages for Linux 5.8 (64-bit) are now available for download at the link below:

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio):

  1. linux-headers-5.8.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  3. linux-modules-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  4. linux-image-xxx-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb

Alternatively you can download and install the kernel binaries via terminal commands ( open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.0-050800_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-modules-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 5.8:

Restart your machine and select boot with the previous kernel in boot menu ‘Grub2 -> Advanced Option for Ubuntu’. Then run command to remove Linux Kernel 5.8:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-unsigned-5.8.0-050800-generic
In Howtos, News
 

Kodi Media Center 18.8 Released [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: July 29, 2020

Kodi Media Center 18.8 was released today with various fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 20.04.

Kodi 18.8 is likely to be the final release in the 18.x “Leia” series. Release highlights include:

  • Fixes a severe security issue in gnutls (Linux)
  • Other significant library/compatibility updates
  • Gets client/server on MariaDB 10.5.4 working for Android
  • Fixes video database access for Ubuntu 20.4 (search and other filtering failed)
  • Fixes subtitle handling from archives
  • Fixes CDDB access
  • Makes minor improvements to logging and memory reporting/display
  • Fixes EDLs where skip points are at the very start of a file
  • Contains code improvements to fix specific events, e.g. race conditions in the EPG or “pause” on end of streams on Android
  • Enables alpha blending for the video player (Windows)
  • Better handles specific exceptions (Android, mostly)

How to Install Kodi 18.8 in Ubuntu:

Kodi Team PPA has made the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases and derivatives.

1. Open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then either upgrading Kodi from an existing version via Software Updater:

or refresh system package cache and install Kodi 18.8 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

Uninstall:

To remove the Kodi PPA repository, simply open Software & Updates -> Other Software.

To remove Kodi, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kodi kodi-data kodi-bin

In Howtos, News ,
 

Opera 70 Released with Improved Search in Tabs

Last updated: July 29, 2020

Opera web browser 70 was released a day ago improvements to existing features and tools.

Opera 70 release highlights include:

  • The history and bookmark panels now has wider search field.
  • Search in Tabs feature now include recently-closed tabs section.
  • Search in Tabs now searches both title and content of open pages.
  • More Workspace icons

How to Install Opera 70 in Ubuntu:

Snap Package:

The Opera team offers official snap package (runs in sandbox), available to install directly from Ubuntu Software:

Deb package:

Also the native Ubuntu .deb package is available for downloading at the link below:

Grab the .deb package, and double-click to install it.

You may also add the official apt repository via following steps to receive future software updates.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the opera repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list'

2. Get the key:

wget -O - http://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Finally either install Opera via following command or upgrade the browser via Software Updater:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install opera-stable

Uninstall:

For the Opera snap package, simply remove it from Ubuntu Software.

For the Opera apt repository, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove traditional opera package, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove opera-stable
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Mozilla Firefox 79.0 Released with Various Security Fixes

Last updated: July 28, 2020

Mozilla Firefox web browser 79.0 was released a few hours ago with new features and various security fixes.

Firefox 79.0 release highlights include:

  • WebRender for more Windows users with Intel and AMD GPUs
  • More Pocket recommendations for users in Germany.
  • Various security fixes.
  • Several crashes while using a screen reader were fixed

How to Install Firefox 79 in Ubuntu:

Firefox 79 will be made into official Ubuntu security / updates repositories for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 20.04 in a few days!

At that time, you can upgrade Firefox via Software Updater (Update Manager) utility:

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digiKam 7.0 Released with Improved Face Detection

Last updated: July 25, 2020

digiKam photo management software 7.0 was released a few days ago with greatly improved face detection and recognition.

digiKam 7.0 was released after one year of development. It features new deep learning faces management. No learning stage is required to perform face detection and recognition. And face detection reaches 97% of true positives.

The improved face detection and recognition also supports non-human faces, blurred faces, covered faces, profiles of faces, printed faces, faces turned away, partial faces, etc.

And it supports multiple cores to speed-up computations.

Other changes include:

  • Improved HEIF image format support
  • A new tool Image Mosaic Wall.
  • The SlideShow tool ported as plugin.
  • New RAW files support including the famous Canon CR3, Sony A7R4, and more:
    • Canon: PowerShot G5 X Mark II, G7 X Mark III, SX70 HS, EOS R, EOS RP, EOS 90D, EOS 250D, EOS M6 Mark II, EOS M50, EOS M200
    • DJI Mavic Air, Osmo Action
    • FujiFilm GFX 100, X-A7, X-Pro3
    • GoPro Fusion, HERO5, HERO6, HERO7
    • Hasselblad L1D-20c, X1D II 50C
    • Leica D-LUX7, Q-P, Q2, V-LUX5, C-Lux / CAM-DC25
    • Olympus TG-6, E-M5 Mark III.
    • Panasonic DC-FZ1000 II, DC-G90, DC-S1, DC-S1R, DC-TZ95
    • PhaseOne IQ4 150MP
    • Ricoh GR III
    • Sony A7R IV, ILCE-6100, ILCE-6600, RX0 II, RX100 VII
    • Zenit M
    • and multiple smartphones…

Download / Install digiKam:

1. Non-install single executable Linux Appimage is available in the official download page.

2. digiKam is also available as Flatpak package, you can get it from flathub repository.

3. For those prefer Ubuntu PPA, keep an eye on this launchpad page.

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Kart Racing Game SuperTuxKart 1.2 RC1 Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: July 21, 2020

SuperTuxKart 1.2 Release Candidate, free and open-source kart racing game, was released today with many great new features and performance improvements.

SuperTuxKart 1.2 release highlights according to the change-log:

  • Add support for IPv6 LAN server.
  • Add team chat for team games.
  • Haiku support.
  • Resizable window in game.
  • New version of Pidgin by Crystal
  • Sever creation improvements.
  • Better gamepad support.
  • Modern skin and SVG icons support.
  • Add camera settings in option screen.
  • And many other improvements.

How to Install SuperTuxKart 1.2 RC in Ubuntu:

Non-install Linux portable package are available for download at Sourceforge project page.

The kart racing game is available as SNAP package which can be installed from Ubuntu Software. Flatpak package is also available in flathub.org repository.

SuperTuxKart team PPA will build the DEB package for apt install. Check the PPA Link before getting started.

At that time, open terminal from application launcher and run following commands one by one:

1.) Run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stk/dev

Type user password, no visual feedback, when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2.) After adding the PPA, either upgrade from an old version via Software Updater, or run commands in terminal to install the game:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install supertuxkart

Uninstall SuperTuxKart:

To remove the PPA, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:stk/dev

To remove the racing game, run:

sudo apt remove --autoremove supertuxkart supertuxkart-data
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