System76 Launches Cosmic 4 Alpha, Bringing New Features and Refinements to its Rust-Based Desktop
Denver, Colorado, December 15, 2024 – System76, the renowned Linux computer manufacturer known for their commitment to open-source software and powerful hardware, has announced the release of Cosmic 4 Alpha. This latest iteration of their innovative Rust-based desktop environment builds upon the foundation laid by previous versions, introducing a host of new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes. Cosmic 4 further solidifies its position as a compelling alternative in the Linux desktop landscape.
One of the most notable additions in Cosmic 4 is the inclusion of region and language settings. Users can now easily customize their locale, affecting date/time formats and number representations. This enhancement caters to a global audience and improves the overall user experience.
The update also introduces a dedicated settings pane for managing default applications. Users can now seamlessly select their preferred web browser, file manager, and applications for handling various media types. This provides a more streamlined and personalized workflow.
System76 engineers have been diligently working on improving the Cosmic Store, the built-in app store for the Cosmic desktop. This update brings enhancements to the store’s interface and functionality, making it easier for users to discover and install applications.
In addition to new features, Cosmic 4 addresses several performance issues and bugs. Notably, it reduces CPU usage and resolves window freezing that occurred after monitor hot-plugging. Memory leaks that caused crashes in panel applets and Cosmic Files have also been fixed.
Accessibility has also received attention in this release, with early screen reader support being implemented. This is a significant step toward making Cosmic more inclusive for users with disabilities.
Furthermore, Cosmic 4 introduces Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, a feature that gamers will particularly appreciate. VRR synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the frame rate of the content being displayed, resulting in smoother, tear-free visuals.
Cosmic 4 Alpha is currently available for testing on Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS alpha. Users can download ISO images for both Intel/AMD and NVIDIA systems from the System76 website: https://system76.com/pop. For those who want to try Cosmic on other Linux distributions, installation instructions are available on the System76 blog: https://blog.system76.com/.
This release is a testament to System76’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to providing a polished and user-friendly Linux desktop experience. As development progresses, it will be exciting to see how this innovative desktop environment continues to evolve and redefine the Linux desktop experience.
Sources:
- Hoffmann, C. (2024, December 14). ‘Tis the season for COSMIC Alpha 4! System76 Blog. https://blog.system76.com/post/cosmic-alpha-4/
- Larabel, M. (2024, December 14). COSMIC Alpha 4 Released For System76’s Rust-Based Desktop. Phoronix. https://www.phoronix.com/news/COSMIC-Alpha-4-Released