NetBSD and Linux announce major updates for new architectures and legacy cleanup

NetBSD has released version 11, its 19th major update, which introduces support for the 64-bit RISC-V architecture. This release includes a MICROVM kernel capable of booting virtual machines in milliseconds and features improved Linux compatibility through enhanced system call implementations and the ability to run Linux binaries.

Simultaneously, the Linux kernel is undergoing significant architectural changes in version 7.3. While adding support for modern hardware such as Apple M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra chips, the development cycle is also targeting a massive cleanup of legacy 32-bit ARM support. Maintainers have identified numerous old ARM board files and potentially hundreds of drivers for removal to simplify the kernel and eliminate complex dependencies from outdated platforms.