Canonical has launched Ubuntu Core 26, a new long-term support (LTS) version of its immutable, snap-based operating system. This update introduces several key enhancements, particularly in the area of over-the-air (OTA) update functionality. Users can expect significant reductions in update sizes, with many snaps now leveraging a new snap-delta format that allows downloads to shrink by up to 90%. For instance, updates to the Core base snaps have decreased from 16 MB to just 1.5 MB.
The installer for Ubuntu Core 26 has also been improved to allow for faster installations by avoiding unnecessary reboots during provisioning. Additionally, this version supports live kernel patching for ARM64 devices, enabling critical kernel security fixes to be applied without needing a reboot.
A new Chisel-based build system is used to assemble the base snaps, enhancing traceability of dependencies and reducing the base image size by 7%. The Ubuntu Frame component now allows the display of multiple applications on a single screen and also provides access to GPU acceleration through a new snap interface.
Other notable features in Ubuntu Core 26 include:
- The capability for Snapcraft components to deliver large or optional resources separately,
- Native OP-TEE integration for ARM TrustZone to secure hardware-rooted keys,
- TPM-sealed key storage in the LUKS2 header,
- Compliance with the EU Cyber Resilience Act,
- The ability to stream logs and metrics to tools like Grafana, Loki, and Prometheus.
Ubuntu Core 26 is available for download now. More details can be found on the Canonical blog.
It’s important to note that Ubuntu Core is designed primarily for embedded IoT, robotics, and edge computing environments, rather than as a traditional desktop OS, although an Ubuntu Core Desktop is in development.