An update for the Mutter display manager is set to be released for users of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, bringing much-needed improvements for touchscreen functionality. While Ubuntu’s interface isn’t primarily designed for touch, recent changes aim to enhance user experience on touch-enabled devices.
The update includes critical fixes, one of which addresses a significant annoyance: the ability to drag and drop files using touch. Users have struggled to move files in Nautilus due to this limitation, but the forthcoming update is expected to resolve this issue.
In addition to the drag-and-drop functionality, other notable improvements are included:
- Preventing full framebuffer damage when dragging windows.
- Fixing crashes linked to pointer constraints and touch.
- Enhancing the responsiveness of GNOME applications post-touch input.
As of now, the updated Mutter version is available in the proposed updates repository for testing. If no issues are identified during testing, it will roll out as a regular software update in the following weeks.
Although this update is minor, it underscores the ongoing support and quality of life improvements for LTS users of Ubuntu.
For further details, check the video demonstration of the fixes.