February was a productive month for Linux software with several notable releases, including major updates to productivity suites LibreOffice and ONLYOFFICE, alongside a variety of smaller updates that merit attention.
To avoid overlooking these updates, I’ve decided to compile a monthly roundup, which will cover recent software updates that might not warrant a full blog post but are still of significance to the community.
Shortwave 5.0
The recent update to the internet radio app Shortwave brings the highly-requested support for background playback in GNOME Shell, appearing in the Quick Settings menu. The recording feature has also improved, allowing users to specify custom directories, and choose between multiple recording modes. Additionally, notifications have been enhanced to alert users about new tracks.
For installation, Shortwave 5.0 can be acquired from Flathub.
PeaZip 10.3
File archiving is made easier with the release of PeaZip 10.3, featuring faster startup times and improved memory usage. It now includes context menu integration for GNOME and KDE, as well as enhanced TAR support. For more details on installation, refer to the official website.
gThumb 3.12.7
The image manager gThumb receives its first update in nearly a year, focusing on minor enhancements, particularly for WebP format handling, as well as a few bug fixes. Check out the latest version available on Flathub or compile from source via its GitHub page here.
HandBrake 1.9.2
HandBrake, the video compression tool, has been updated with important bug fixes and new features, including improved support for AV1 video formats and SRT subtitle files. For Ubuntu users, the easiest installation method is through Flathub.
FastFetch 2.37.x
The system info tool Fastfetch continues to improve, adding support for Haiku systems and enhancing various detection capabilities for both macOS and Linux users. The latest version can be found at the project Github releases page or by adding the Fastfetch PPA.
Amarok 3.2.2
The updated music player Amarok makes strides with bug fixes and a long-awaited feature that maintains the playlist order when tracks are added. It can be accessed via Flathub or through the source here.
This roundup offers a glimpse into some exciting updates in the Linux software ecosystem, capturing improvements across various applications that could enhance users’ experiences. For tips on other updates, feel free to share news through the contact form.