Canonical’s upcoming release, Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed Plucky Puffin, is set to be officially launched on April 17, 2025. With daily builds already available, developers and enthusiasts can preview the innovations and enhancements this version will bring. Ubuntu 25.04 promises a wealth of improvements for desktop users, enterprise environments, IoT devices, and edge AI solutions.
Key Highlights of Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin)
1. Linux Kernel 6.14 (Tentative)
Ubuntu 25.04 aims to ship with Linux Kernel 6.14, incorporating numerous enhancements:
- Advanced support for Ryzen AI NPUs.
- Improved compatibility with AMD GPUs and Realtek Ethernet controllers.
- Enhanced DRM panic handling and expanded driver support. Should any last-minute issues arise, Canonical may temporarily fall back on Kernel 6.13.
2. GNOME 48 Integration
Expected to debut with GNOME 48, Ubuntu 25.04 will introduce:
- Enhanced notifications (e.g., headphone connection alerts).
- Advanced color management.
- Refined keyboard backlight controls.
- A new Wellbeing feature inspired by Android’s Digital Wellbeing, including screen time limits, grayscale mode after limits, and reminder alerts.
3. Installer Enhancements
The Flutter-based Ubuntu installer is set to improve the dual-boot setup experience. Key additions include:
- Clearer guidance on existing OSes and partitioning.
- Smooth handling of Windows BitLocker-encrypted drives without requiring manual decryption.
- Optimized disk encryption and reinstall options.
4. Systemd and Core Changes
Ubuntu 25.04 will use systemd v257.4, with notable changes:
- Dropping support for utmp.
- Deprecation of SysV service scripts ahead of full removal in v258.
- Migration towards full cgroup v2 support.
5. Optimized Toolchains
- GCC 14.2
- Python 3.13.2
- LLVM 20
- Rust 1.84
- Go 1.24
- OpenJDK 24 GA and 25 Early Access
6. Application Updates
- Firefox Snap updated for better support of smart card authentication.
- A potential replacement of Evince with the Papers PDF viewer.
- Improved video playback in GNOME Web (Epiphany) with additional GStreamer plugins.
- Upgrades to ClamAV 1.4.2, PostgreSQL 17, MySQL 8.4 LTS, and PHP 8.4.
7. Server and Container Improvements
- Docker 27.5.1 and docker-compose 2.33.0 with new CLI enhancements.
- QEMU 9.2.0 and libvirt 10.10 featuring multi-device boot support and enhanced migration options.
- Performance optimizations in HAProxy 3.0.7 and Samba 4.21.x.
8. Raspberry Pi and ARM Support
- Dedicated kernel packages for Raspberry Pi 5 and Pi-specific enhancements.
- Improved compatibility for Raspberry Pi devices with automatic kernel upgrades and easier firmware management.
9. New Features in Ubuntu Core
- Streamlined immutable OS for IoT and edge devices.
- Over-the-air updates with fallback mechanisms.
- Certified support for NVIDIA Jetson platforms.
Known Issues and Warnings
- NVIDIA GPUs may experience performance issues on Wayland sessions.
- Incompatibility between TPM-backed full disk encryption and Absolute security solutions.
- GTK4 rendering issues on virtual machines with 3D acceleration.
- Pending fixes for libcamera support on Raspberry Pi.
Release Timeline Recap:
- Development started: October 17, 2024
- Feature freeze: February 20, 2025
- UI freeze: March 13, 2025
- Beta release: March 27, 2025
- Release Candidate: April 10, 2025
- Final stable release: April 17, 2025
Ubuntu 25.04 Plucky Puffin represents Canonical’s continued commitment to innovation and stability. From developers working with AI and IoT to enterprise IT teams and casual desktop users, this release will offer a comprehensive set of tools, enhanced hardware support, and thoughtful user-centric features.
For more details and to download the daily builds, visit cdimage.ubuntu.com.
