KDE Plasma 6 has arrived. The first stable release in an all-new series of the phenomenally popular Linux desktop environment is available to download.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
KDE Plasma 6 improves security, performance, usability, and hardware support<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Naturally, a major milestone such as this includes scores of changes, enhancements, and new features, the best of which I look at in this post.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But I want to touch on the \u201cintangible\u201d changes too as KDE Plasma 6.0 upgrades its underlying application framework, Qt<\/a>, to a major new version, and fully embraces the Wayland display server<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThese under-the-hood upgrades benefit Plasma\u2019s security, efficiency, and performance, and improve support for modern hardware. Thus Plasma [6.0] delivers an overall more reliable user experience, while paving the way for many more improvements in the future,\u201d KDE developers say.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On top of those new foundations KDE Plasma 6.0 introduces some major new improvements, with developers improving the look, feel, and workflow of the Plasma desktop and many of the applications and utilities that run on it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Fancy a closer look at the major changes in this new version?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
KDE Plasma 6.0\u2019s New Features<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/a> KDE Plasma 6.0 desktop environment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n KDE Plasma 6.0 defaults to Wayland (were supported, still works with X11 if not) \u2014 but what\u2019s it like in practice?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Imperceptible, I found \u2014 which is a good thing! In my testing I saw no glaring giveaways, glitches, or gremlins, and performance isn\u2019t hindered \u2014 if anything, Plasma 6 feels faster than the last few releases in the 5.x series, and those weren\u2019t exactly slouches!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Naturally Wayland experiences do vary based on hardware support, the kind of apps being used\/run\/required, and the fact that some of us are just a bit more sensitive\/aware of quirks than others (not a bad thing, but my \u201cworks great\u201d will be someone else\u2019s \u201cworks okay\u201d).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Still, I feel confident enough in saying that with its first formal release KDE Plasma 6 is off to a solid start with regards to Wayland \u2014 and no-one (with hardware that supports it) should be fearful about the switch. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Plasma Desktop Design Changes<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Redesigned panel settings, including new intelli-hide option<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
KDE Plasma 6.0 now uses a floating panel by default<\/strong>. This un-floats when an app window is maximised or touching it. Don\u2019t like the new stock behaviour? Dive into the redesigned panel settings which, as well as a new look, has new options including window-dodging intelli-hide.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
One alteration that I appreciate is the new overview display<\/strong> for transitioning between workspaces. KDE developers amalgamated the Overview and Desktop Grid effects into a singular entity, and linked them to touchpad gestures. The outcome is visually stunning in use \u2014 I don’t typically use workspaces, but this innovation is incredibly tempting to explore!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Look at the fresh overview in KDE Plasma 6.0!<\/a><\/p>\n
In terms of workspaces (or ‘virtual desktops’ as KDE refers to them), you’ll discover that in Plasma 6.0, scrolling on the desktop (using a mouse wheel or touchpad) will no longer switch between workspaces. Personally, I see this as a positive refinement, as I often found the previous behaviour activating unintentionally.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Speaking of transitions \u2014 although the linkage of these paragraphs is progressively becoming more stretched \u2014 the task switcher now employs a grid format when you have many apps open (or fewer apps but on a screen with less width) when utilizing alt<\/kbd> + tab<\/kbd>:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/a> Gridded thumbnail task switcher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Another big change, KDE Plasma 6.0 now defaults to double-click<\/strong><\/a> for file\/folder selection, in keeping with the way most other desktop environments work. Single-click behaviour is easily re-enabled so if you\u2019re used to\/prefer single-click activation you needn\u2019t fret \u2013 it\u2019s still available.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On a similar note, tap-to-click is enabled by default for touchpads <\/strong>in KDE Plasma 6 on Wayland.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Visually, KDE Plasma 6.0 has never looked better. The Breeze<\/em> theme has been given a good going over to effect a more modern guise by bumping the size of margins\/padding around elements and reducing the number of \u201cinset\u201d frames within apps (those inset blue borders? gone): <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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KDE Plasma 6.0: Breeze theme changes<\/a><\/p>\n
Breeze theme is looking better<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The Dolphin<\/em> file manager offers a more orderly set of settings, gains a number of accessibility buffs (like keyboard accessible toolbar buttons and disk space reading), and the ability to right-click on a folder and select \u2018Split View\u2019 from the context menu<\/strong> to open it so: <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Split View in in a split, nice<\/a><\/p>\n
Split View in in a split, nice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n So far I\u2019ve covered the changes you can feel<\/em> and the changes you can see<\/em>, but there\u2019s also a change you will hear<\/strong>: KDE Plasma 6\u2019s new default sound theme, Ocean<\/em>. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If you’ve had experience using KDE Plasma on a notebook, the familiar sound cues have likely become a natural part of your user experience. They seem ready to engage at the slightest interaction with your hardware. However, Plasma 6.0 brings a pleasant surprise. The platform introduces a refreshed, plush and highly pleasing set of auditory cues that demonstrate quality and finesse.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Other aspects that have seen notable enhancements include:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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- One can now interact with the scrollbar to navigate the content swiftly and accurately.<\/li>\n
- The Settings application has seen comprehensive improvements.<\/li>\n
- Plasma Search has been optimized for superior speed, the option to re-order search outcome, and more such features.<\/li>\n
- The unlock process from the lockscreen has been enhanced with the improved functioning of the fingerprint sensor.<\/li>\n
- A fascinating 3D desktop cube effect is now available to the users.<\/li>\n
- There’s a major refresh to KDE Gear, including apps such as Kdenlive, Kmail, and Itinerary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For a thorough rundown, do visit the official webpage of KDE Plasma 6’s colossal release<\/a>. The website boasts a sophisticated design and is a treasure trove of detailed information, useful snippets, graphical previews, and demonstrations of the many features we’ve glossed over.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
How to try KDE Plasma 6.0?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
So: now that the stable KDE Plasma 6.0 release is out you want to know how you can try it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n