Shotcut 26.9 is here!

Anatase is a new immutable Linux distribution from Antheas Kapenekakis, a core maintainer of Bazzite. Its README describes a Fedora-based image that was "rewritten from scratch" and "distills three years of learnings from Bazzite".

• One image for desktops, laptops, handhelds, home-theater PCs, and NVIDIA systems, with an ISO half the size of bazzite-deck-nvidia's.
• Three sessions: KDE Plasma Desktop, Plasma Mobile for touch devices, and a gamescope Gamemode with 2X frame generation.
• Spaces run Arch, Fedora, Ubuntu, or Kali packages beside the read-only base. The developer notes that Spaces has not had a formal security review.

It is early days. NVIDIA GTX 10-series and older cards are not supported, keeping Secure Boot on requires enrolling Anatase's key by hand, and the project says it is not yet ready to come preinstalled on devices. Try it from a USB stick before replacing a working system.

See how it differs from its predecessor in Anatase vs Bazzite, or read the Anatase profile.

Source: Anatase on GitHub. Also covered by LinuxLinks.

The first maintenance update for the 26.8 series brings around 40 bug fixes, with better compatibility for Microsoft Office DOCX, XLSX and PPTX files, plus more reliable text and CSV imports.

A solid stability update for LibreOffice users. 🐧💻

#LibreOffice #Linux #OpenSource #FOSS

Parrot OS 7.4 is out today, October 3, 2026, with a rebuilt AnonSurf 6.0 and Linux kernel 7.1, according to the official release notes.

• AnonSurf 6.0, Parrot's switch for routing all traffic through Tor, gets a Go backend, a Qt6 interface, and systemd services. DNS, firewall, IPv6, and Tor changes now apply and roll back as one transaction, and interrupted sessions recover at boot.
• Linux 7.1 brings newer hardware support and driver updates.
• Easier setup: the Discovery welcome screen now ships on the ISO, and Rocket 2.0 makes containerized tools easier to manage.
• ARM: virtual machine images target AArch64 for UTM on Apple Silicon Macs, and the Raspberry Pi images are updated.

Already on Parrot 7? Run sudo parrot-upgrade, Parrot's wrapper that refreshes package lists and performs a full upgrade. Deciding between the two big security distros? Read Kali Linux vs Parrot OS, or see the Parrot OS profile for editions and requirements.

Source: Parrot 7.4 release notes. Also covered by 9to5Linux and Linuxiac.

Canonical released the Ubuntu 26.10 "Stonking Stingray" beta on October 1, 2026, with the final release due on October 15, 2026, according to the official beta announcement. The beta covers the Desktop, Server, WSL and Cloud images and every official flavour, from Kubuntu to Xubuntu. It arrived about a week behind schedule, as UbuntuHandbook noted.

• Linux 7.3, still a release candidate in the beta.
• GNOME 51, with a window-snapping layout picker, passkey (FIDO2) login and a Reduced Motion setting, according to 9to5Linux.
• Rust coreutils: the core command-line utilities now run on the Rust-based uutils, per 9to5Linux.
• Mesa 26.2 for graphics.

Ubuntu 26.10 is an interim release with nine months of support. If you run Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, supported until May 2031, there is no reason to switch; try the beta in a virtual machine or on a spare PC instead. Download the beta or see every Ubuntu version and its support dates.

Source: Ubuntu 26.10 beta announcement. Also covered by 9to5Linux and Linuxiac.

A new report indicates that Valve is considering a significant structural change to its operating system, potentially splitting SteamOS into two separate branches: one optimized for ARM architecture and another for x86.
Why the Split?
Currently, SteamOS is primarily built around the x86 architecture (used in the Steam Deck and most PCs). However, with the growing interest in ARM-based handhelds and devices (like the Nintendo Switch successors or Windows-on-ARM laptops), Valve may be looking to optimize performance and battery life more effectively for each specific hardware type.
What This Means for Users:
🔹 Better Optimization: Dedicated builds could mean smoother performance and longer battery life on ARM devices.
🔹 Broader Compatibility: An x86-focused version would continue to support the vast library of PC games and existing Steam Deck hardware without compromise.
🔹 Future-Proofing: As more manufacturers enter the handheld gaming market with different chipsets, a split OS could allow Valve to partner with a wider range of hardware makers.
The Bigger Picture
This move aligns with Valve’s broader strategy to make PC gaming more accessible and versatile beyond traditional desktop setups. By tailoring the OS to specific architectures, Valve could strengthen its position as the go-to platform for next-gen handheld gaming.
While nothing is officially confirmed by Valve yet, this development suggests we might see a more modular approach to SteamOS in the near future.