In addition to work lower down the stack with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS set to enable frame pointers by default and experimenting with x86-64-v3 builds , higher up the stack they are also planning for desktop enhancements with this Long Term Support release.
Among the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS desktop plans are:
- The Linux-Flutter engine is being upgraded to use GTK4.
- Given the issue of malicious translations in Ubuntu 23.10 , Canonical will be setting up their own self-hosted Weblate instance and ensure every language is gate-kept by a trusted translator.
- Continued work on their Flutter-based apps like the Ubuntu Firmware Updater.
- Plans to expose re-encryption for their hardware-backed full disk encryption solution.
- Various other security improvements like a new network section in the Security Center where they can enable a local stealth mode or easily toggle their firewall.
- GNOME 46 is the planned desktop version for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
- Canonical continues to have "ongoing discussions about sun setting X11" but for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, they will still be keepping 24.04 LTS around it seems: "In Ubuntu 24.04 LTS we’re not ready to make that leap. For this cycle, we’ve decided to audit the state of NVIDIA + Wayland to define the signals we want to see in order to make that call."
- Improvements around Snap updating.
- Implementing MFA support in SSH and building SSO-support into the desktop.
More details on the Ubuntu desktop plans for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS via the Ubuntu Discourse .