KDE's goals, Apple & Google giant fines, Square Enix funds a Linux distro: Linux & Open Source News

Summary

This week's Linux and open source news covers KDE's three broad future goals, the release of KDE Plasma 6.2 beta with new features like per-monitor brightness control, and Square Enix's funding of a gaming-focused Linux distribution. The video also discusses ProtonMail's privacy features, GNOME's new executive director search, advancements in GNOME's technology, and the potential impact of the Steam Deck on Linux gaming. Additionally, it touches on Apple and Google's recent losses in EU court cases and the need for a more powerful Linux device to ensure developer support for AAA game titles.

Takeaways

• 📢 KDE has announced three main goals: streamlining app development, improving input device support, and gaining new contributors for Plasma and key projects.
• 🔧 The release of KDE Plasma 6.2 beta introduces features like per-monitor brightness controls and better color management support.
• 💻 Square Enix has funded a Linux distribution, Platron OS, which is a gaming-focused OS aiming for partnerships with device manufacturers.
• 🔗 Proton Mail is sponsoring the video, offering end-to-end encrypted email with privacy features and tools like Proton Scribe, an AI assistant for emails.
• 🎯 The GNOME project is advancing with new features and improvements, including home directory encryption and better accessibility support.
• 💼 The search for a new executive director for the GNOME Foundation is underway, with applications open until September 20th.
• 🛡️ Auntu is working on enhancing snap package security with more granular permission controls for snap apps.
• 💰 Apple and Google have both lost appeals against the European Commission, resulting in large fines for tax and antitrust issues, respectively.
• 🕹️ The Steam Deck's capability to run the latest AAA games is being questioned, with concerns that its hardware may not be sufficient to maintain relevance in the gaming market.
• 🖥️ Tuxedo Computers, a Linux-focused laptop and desktop provider, is highlighted as a sponsor, known for their Linux-out-of-the-box hardware solutions.

Q & A

What are the three main goals announced by KDE for the future?

The three main goals announced by KDE are: 1) Streamlining the app development experience, particularly enhancing the experience of building KDE apps without using C++ and embracing languages like Rust and Python. 2) Improving input methods for KDE to ensure support for various forms of input such as drawing tablets, controllers, mice, and accessibility features. 3) Gaining new contributors for Plasma and key projects like Kdenlive, KRITI, and others, not just individuals but also institutions and organizations.

What new features are included in the KDE Plasma 6.2 beta release?

The KDE Plasma 6.2 beta release includes features such as per-monitor brightness controls, improved color management support for better HDR, sticky keys support, the ability to disable smooth scrolling in KDE applications, a new 'apply updates and shut down' option, more accurate license information for apps in Discover, and various system settings page improvements.

What is the significance of Square Enix's investment in Platon OS?

Square Enix's investment in Platon OS signifies the company's intention to expand its games distribution and explore possibilities that are unique to harnessing the full power of an operating system. This investment also indicates potential support for the development of the gaming-focused Linux distribution.

What is the role of Matthew Commo in Platon OS after joining their team?

Matthew Commo, the founder and main developer of Lutris, joined the Platon OS team to work on UI-related aspects of the operating system. His involvement is expected to bring expertise in Linux gaming and user interface design to the project.

What is the status of open-source development in Platon OS?

Currently, not all of Platon OS's work is open source. The team has confirmed that only the OS code will be open source at first, with plans to open more components as time progresses, although there is no guarantee that the entire project will become open source.

What are some of the recent developments in the GNOME project?

Recent developments in the GNOME project include the search for a new executive director, advancements in the Sovereign Tech Foundation projects, improvements in accessibility features, new APIs for Flatpak and Whand, and updates to GNOME apps like Papers and Pipeline.

How does the new USB portal in GNOME aim to enhance security?

The new USB portal in GNOME is designed to enhance security by ensuring that apps do not require access to all of a user's devices just to interact with a USB drive. It aims to provide more granular access control for peripherals.

What is the impact of Apple and Google losing their appeals against the European Commission?

The impact of Apple and Google losing their appeals is that they are required to pay significant fines. Apple owes approximately $14 billion to Ireland for receiving illegal tax benefits, while Google must pay €2.4 billion for abusing its dominant position by favoring its own shopping service in search results.

Why is there a concern that the Steam Deck might become less relevant in the future?

There is a concern that the Steam Deck might become less relevant because it may not be capable of running the latest AAA titles at acceptable performance levels. This could lead developers to disregard Linux compatibility if they see no chance of their games running on the device, even at low settings.

What does Tuxedo Computers offer to Linux users?

Tuxedo Computers offers a range of laptops and desktops that come with Linux pre-installed, allowing users to avoid the need to install a new operating system over a Windows partition. They actively support the development of drivers for their hardware, catering to a variety of budgets and needs.