Canonical releases Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and 26.10 updates

Canonical has released two significant updates to its Ubuntu Linux distribution: the long-term support (LTS) version 26.04, codenamed ‘Resolute Raccoon’, and the interim version 26.10, codenamed ‘Stonking Stingray’.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS features Linux kernel 7.0 and the Mesa 26.0 software library. It includes improved support for NVIDIA graphics cards and ARM64 architecture, while requiring the RVA23 profile for RISC-V. The desktop environment has been updated to GNOME 50, which removes support for the X11 session. Recommended hardware requirements for the desktop edition have increased to 6 GB of RAM and 25 GB of disk space. This version offers free support until 2031.

Ubuntu 26.10 utilizes Linux kernel 7.3 and the GNOME 51 desktop environment, moving exclusively to Wayland. This version introduces advanced window tiling, support for handwritten PDF signatures, and FIDO2 and Microsoft Entra ID login support. It also includes integrated monitoring for AMD-Ryzen Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and AI enhancements such as ROCm 10.0. Additionally, Canonical is previewing ‘Myna’, a local speech recognition tool based on Whisper and Parakeet models.