July was a noteworthy month for Linux applications, with several updates that deserve recognition. While some major releases were already highlighted earlier, such as the launch of Blender 4.5 and updates for Firefox and Thunderbird, several other significant applications rolled out new features and improvements.
Shotcut 25.07
The open-source video editor Shotcut made notable strides with its 25.07 release. Enhancements include a roll edit/trim function that allows users to adjust adjacent clips while maintaining the overall timeline length. New features also encompass:
- A new ‘System Fusion’ theme.
- On-demand download of Whisper models via the Speech to Text dialog.
- Adjustable audio gain through a draggable waveform peak line.
- Bug fixes and translation updates.
Download Shotcut from the official site.
Plank Reloaded
Plank Reloaded, a revitalized version of the popular dock, continues to improve. Recent updates feature:
- A new Notifications docklet.
- Refined application highlighting in the Matte theme.
- Bug fixes and an optional systemd service addition.
To install Plank Reloaded, you can find it on its GitHub page.
Krita 5.2.10
Krita, the digital painting tool, released a maintenance update that emphasizes performance improvements. Users can now expect:
- Enhanced canvas panning and smoother ruler updates.
- The ability to reset onion skin settings to defaults.
- Compatibility fixes for certain function keys.
For more details, visit the Krita download page.
Tauon 8.1.3
The Tauon music player introduced click-to-seek scrolling for lyrics, allowing users to jump to specific parts of a song easily. Other notable features include an experimental auto-import playlist function.
Download the latest version from its GitHub releases page or check out the Flathub build.
Kdenlive 25.08 (Release Candidate)
Kdenlive released a new candidate for version 25.08 with exciting features such as:
- An optimized interface for lower-resolution screens.
- Downloadable keyboard schemes.
- Enhanced power management during playback and rendering.
Find Kdenlive and its release candidate on the Kdenlive official site.
Zed (Text Editor)
The Rust-based Zed text editor is adding flexibility for users who prefer a non-AI coding experience. A recent update allows users to disable AI features entirely. More about this can be found on the Zed blog.
Libinput 1.29.0
Though not an app, libinput’s new release includes vital improvements like better detection for high-resolution scroll wheels and enhanced handling of virtual input devices. This update will likely be integrated into major Linux distributions soon.
These updates reflect the steady growth of the Linux application ecosystem. Each one, regardless of its size, contributes to a better overall user experience. If you have tips on any app updates worth sharing, feel free to reach out!