A new version of the Cinnamon desktop environment, Cinnamon 6.4, has been tagged for release, signaling that the Linux Mint 22.1 beta is approaching. This version will be preinstalled in Linux Mint 22.1 when it launches at the end of December, although this timeline could shift to early 2025 if beta testing uncovers issues. While this update primarily concerns Cinnamon, it’s important to note that Cinnamon can be installed on various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu.
What’s New in Cinnamon Desktop 6.4?
One of the most noticeable updates in Cinnamon 6.4 is a new default theme that emphasizes darker colors and rounded corners, integrating the system-set accent color throughout. While the default theme in Cinnamon differs from the one used in Linux Mint, it incorporates significant updates beyond aesthetic changes.
The new design employs Clutter for most modal dialogs, including prompts related to logout, network connections, and display settings. This unification in design enhances the user experience, making these modals distinctive to Cinnamon rather than resembling standard application dialogs.
Other features include:
- Applets: Applet menus now float slightly above panels, showcasing the new rounded corners. These menus offer tighter layouts, particularly noticeable in the Calendar and Networks applets.
- Notifications: Desktop notifications have been redesigned to reduce excessive padding, allowing for a more compact appearance.
- Workspace Switcher: The on-screen display (OSD) for switching workspaces now mirrors the design aesthetics found in GNOME Shell.
More Features in Cinnamon 6.4
Beyond the visual updates, Cinnamon 6.4 introduces several useful features:
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Night Light: A built-in feature that adjusts screen color temperature to reduce strain. This option can be activated in the settings menu and can be scheduled to operate automatically.
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Overamplification: Audio settings now include a straightforward checkbox to enable sound levels beyond 100%, allowing for louder output when necessary.
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Power Profiles: The Power applet integrates the Power Profiles Daemon, facilitating quick switches between ‘Balanced’, ‘Power Saver’, and ‘Performance’ modes.
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Usability Improvements:
- The system menu now uses “Shut Down” instead of “Quit”.
- Numpad arrow navigation for menus.
- Notifications can now display in full-screen mode.
- Improved music on-screen display when using media keys.
Cinnamon 6.4 promises to deliver these enhancements and more once Linux Mint 22.1 is released. Users of rolling-release Linux distributions may also access these updates sooner by compiling Cinnamon from source code.
For more information on Cinnamon, visit: Cinnamon and Linux Mint.