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| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon" beta now available |
It feels like a lifetime ago, but I still remember the excitement of that cardboard envelope sitting in my mailbox. About two decades ago, I was receiving my first set of Ubuntu discs via mail. On that occasion, I had to struggle to explain to the customs officials that some company abroad was sending out free CDs to anyone who would submit a name and a shipping address. They looked at me like I was trying to import a small miracle—or at least, a very generous scam.
Since then, everything has moved further. The days of waiting for physical media have been replaced by high-speed downloads, and yet, thankfully, Ubuntu is still around. It has gone a long way since its early days, evolving from a simple Debian fork into the backbone of countless servers, AI workstations, and developer laptops around the globe.
The latest proof of that longevity is here. The beta build of the upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed "Resolute Raccoon," is now available for download. This release brings us one step closer to the stable release, which is planned to land on April 23.
A Peek Under the Hood
Because the final version of Linux kernel 7.0 has yet to be released, the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS beta ships with the latest release candidate build to ensure hardware compatibility and stability. On top of that solid foundation, users will find GNOME 50, along with a host of updates and new applications that make this one of the most polished betas in recent memory.
According to the official announcement on the Ubuntu Community Hub, the development team has been busy refining the user experience from the ground up.
"We are excited to share the beta release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed 'Resolute Raccoon.' This release includes a number of significant updates and new features as we work towards the final stable release in April."
You can read the full details of the release here.
The Highlights: What’s New in Resolute Raccoon
While the kernel and GNOME updates are the headliners, the devil—and the delight—is in the details. Here are a few of the many highlights packed into this beta:
- A New System Monitor: Ubuntu is introducing a brand-new system monitoring utility simply called Resources. It offers a clean, modern interface to keep an eye on CPU, memory, and network usage.
- Visual Refresh: If you are tired of looking at the same old interface, you’re in for a treat. There is a new default wallpaper to greet you, alongside a fully opaque dock (no more transparency by default) and a set of vibrant, colorful new folder icons.
- AI Workloads Ready: Recognizing the shift towards on-device AI, Ubuntu 26.04 now includes AMD ROCm and NVIDIA CUDA packages and tools directly available from the Ubuntu archives, making it easier than ever to set up a workstation for machine learning and AI development.
- Development Tools: For developers, OpenJDK 25 is now the new default, though older versions remain available for compatibility. Additionally, the graphics stack has been updated to Mesa 26.0.2.
- Telemetry Transparency: In an effort to be more transparent about usage data, there is a new Ubuntu Telemetry controls panel in Settings, as well as a dedicated telemetry slide in the installer, accompanied by minor design and text changes to make the setup process smoother.
- Under the Hood: The time server has been updated to Chrony 4.8, ensuring more accurate time synchronization across devices.
A Heads-Up for Early Adopters
Of course, no beta would be complete without a minor quirk or two. While this is definitely something that won’t happen in the stable release, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS beta comes without the "Software & Updates" utility preinstalled.
For most users, this isn’t a dealbreaker, as software management can still be handled via the command line or the Snap Store. However, if you rely heavily on the graphical interface to manage your repository sources, you might want to hold off for a few weeks until the final release.
How to Get It
As usual, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS beta can be grabbed from the Ubuntu release server. Whether you are running an Intel/AMD machine, the generic ARM image is available, and there is a preinstalled version specifically for the Raspberry Pi.
For those who prefer a different desktop experience, the various flavors—such as Lubuntu, Xubuntu, and Kubuntu—might get the beta in a few days, or possibly not at all. Additionally, the server install image and the WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) image are available for those looking to test the waters in a cloud or Windows environment.
From shipping physical CDs across the world to delivering a bleeding-edge AI-ready operating system in minutes, Ubuntu has certainly come a long way. If you’re feeling nostalgic—or just curious about the future of Linux—the Resolute Raccoon beta is worth a spin. Just remember, it’s still a beta; the polished final version is waiting just around the corner on April 23.