Ubuntu 25.10: A Glimpse into the Future with New Apps, Enhanced Security, and More
Are you ready to see what the future of Ubuntu looks like? Ubuntu 25.10 is shaping up to be a significant release, packed with exciting updates and improvements. Recent development builds reveal a wave of new features, including revamped default applications, a security-focused sudo implementation, and enhanced system insights. This article dives deep into these changes, exploring how they will impact users and solidify Ubuntu’s position as a leading Linux distribution. Let’s explore what’s new in Ubuntu 25.10!
What’s New in Ubuntu 25.10? Unveiling the Key Updates
The latest development builds of Ubuntu 25.10 offer a sneak peek into the innovations users can expect. From user-facing application replacements to under-the-hood security enhancements, this release promises a blend of modernity and reliability. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:
Ptyxis and Loupe: A Fresh Look for Default Applications
Ubuntu 25.10 introduces two new default applications: Ptyxis, a terminal emulator, and Loupe, an image viewer. These applications are set to replace GNOME Terminal and Eye of GNOME, respectively, marking a significant shift in the default user experience.
- Ptyxis: Designed as a modern terminal emulator, Ptyxis aims to leverage newer technologies and libraries for improved performance and features. It provides a robust environment for command-line tasks, from system administration to software development. Users can expect a more responsive and feature-rich experience compared to the older GNOME Terminal.
- Loupe: As the new default image viewer, Loupe is built to handle modern image formats and display them beautifully. It is designed to be a lightweight and efficient application that provides essential image viewing and manipulation capabilities, making it easier than ever to view your image collections.
The move to Ptyxis and Loupe reflects Ubuntu’s commitment to providing a modern and efficient user experience. These replacements are intended to take advantage of contemporary technologies, potentially offering improved performance, usability, and new features that were previously unavailable.
Enhanced Security: The Transition to sudo-rs
One of the most talked-about changes in Ubuntu 25.10 is the switch to sudo-rs, a sudo implementation written in the Rust programming language. This move is primarily motivated by security considerations. Rust’s memory safety features aim to mitigate vulnerabilities that can arise in C-based code, the language in which the traditional sudo is written.
- Memory Safety: Rust’s strict compile-time checks help prevent common memory-related errors such as buffer overflows and dangling pointers, which are often exploited by attackers.
- Security Enhancement: By adopting
sudo-rs, Ubuntu aims to bolster its overall security posture, reducing the risk of privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
While sudo-rs isn’t intended as a complete 1:1 replacement for the traditional sudo, users are not anticipated to notice significant changes in their day-to-day usage. The core functionality remains the same: allowing authorized users to execute commands with elevated privileges.
Ubuntu Insights and hwctrl: Enhanced System Information and Hardware Control
Ubuntu 25.10 introduces two new packages aimed at providing more comprehensive system information and hardware control: Ubuntu Insights and hwctrl.
- Ubuntu Insights: This package replaces Ubuntu Report, focusing on collecting non-personally identifiable information (non-PII) and system metrics with user consent. The goal is to provide Canonical with valuable data to improve Ubuntu’s performance, stability, and user experience. Ubuntu Insights also aims for increased scalability, allowing Ubuntu developers to gain insight into the usage patterns of the OS across a broader range of hardware configurations, and to quickly identify bottlenecks.
hwctrl: Short for Hardware Control,hwctrlis a new tool designed to provide more fine-grained control over hardware components. The specifics of its functionality will become clearer as development progresses, but it suggests a move towards empowering users with greater management capabilities over their hardware.
The inclusion of Ubuntu Insights and hwctrl in this release is crucial as these tools have to be vetted prior to inclusion in the next Long Term Support (LTS) release.
Behind the Scenes: Integrating New Apps into Ubuntu
The process of integrating new default applications into Ubuntu is not as simple as just installing the packages. Changes to ‘seeded’ software need to go through a robust process. Default apps and their critical dependencies must be moved to the main repository to become part of the default seed. This ensures that the applications receive greater support commitments from Canonical, requiring thorough checks and vetting, which takes time. This meticulous process guarantees the stability and reliability of the default applications for all users.
What to Expect When Upgrading to Ubuntu 25.10
For users testing Ubuntu 25.10 or planning to upgrade from Ubuntu 25.04 in October, here’s what you can expect:
- Automatic Updates: If you are already testing Ubuntu 25.10, the new applications (Ptyxis and Loupe) will be delivered through regular software updates.
- No Removal of Old Apps (Likely): Ubuntu typically keeps both the old and new default applications. This means GNOME Terminal and Eye of GNOME are unlikely to be removed automatically after installing Ptyxis and Loupe. Users can then choose their preferred applications.
- Icon Changes: Initially, the new applications use the standard Adwaita icons. However, as the UI freeze for Ubuntu 25.10 is not yet in effect, the applications will adopt the more familiar Yaru icons soon.
Here’s a quick comparison table summarizing the key changes:
| Feature | Old (Ubuntu 25.04) | New (Ubuntu 25.10) | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal Emulator | GNOME Terminal | Ptyxis | Modern, potentially more performant |
| Image Viewer | Eye of GNOME | Loupe | Lightweight, efficient, handles modern formats |
sudo Implementation |
C-based sudo |
sudo-rs |
Enhanced security through memory safety |
| System Reporting | Ubuntu Report | Ubuntu Insights | More comprehensive, consent-based data |
Conclusion: Ubuntu 25.10 Sets the Stage for Future Innovations
Ubuntu 25.10 is shaping up to be a significant release, bringing a blend of modern applications, enhanced security, and improved system insights. The introduction of Ptyxis and Loupe offers a fresh user experience, while the transition to sudo-rs addresses critical security concerns. Ubuntu Insights and hwctrl lay the foundation for future improvements and greater user control. While it is still early in the development cycle, these changes signal Ubuntu’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction.
What are your thoughts on these changes? Are you excited about the new applications and security enhancements? Comment below and share your expectations for Ubuntu 25.10!
Sources & Further Reading:
Original article at www.omgubuntu.co.uk
