We still don't have the new version of Plasma, Plasma 5.10, but we already know what's new in this new version of the popular KDE Project desktop. A beta of the next version has recently been released where we have been able to see some of the news that Plasma users will receive soon.
Among the news, in addition to the bugs corrected, users will be able to use packages in snap format and flatpak format, two universal formats that little by little are in many distributions, including Kubuntu.
Wayland will have increased support within Plasma 5.10 but it will not be the only new thing regarding the most popular graphic server. Regarding Wayland, it now has support for KWin, the desktop window manager; this will allow us better rendering on HDpi screens, screens increasingly common in our equipment. Users will have touch support, that is, touch screen functions will be recognized by Plasma 5.10 and can be used to interact with the desktop.
Plasma 5.10 will have support for snap packages and flatpak packages
Discover, the application intended to install new software will also receive new options. Among which are the possibility of use Gnome service ratings, ratings, and comments that we will see from Discover and Plasma 5.10.
The functionality of the desktop has also increased in Plasma 5.10, so not only do we find new views and new functions within Dolphin but we can also lock media from lock screen; that is, we can turn off or pause the music player, we can see notifications, etc ...
The complete changelog for this development version can be found at the official website of the project. In any case we do not have to wait long for this new version because at the end of this month we will find this long-awaited version in our distribution. So, Kubuntu 17.04 will have this version of the desktop thanks to the backports repository y Kubuntu 17.10 will have it as the default desktop. That is, some versions that promise to be interesting for their users Do not you think?
I have been with Kubuntu 17.04 almost since its launch and I have to say that although I have not previously been a user of this disrto, I have heard that on numerous occasions it is said that it is the least graceful of the family, because or with this version they have put the batteries, or the previous accusations were not very well founded. I'm very happy with backports activated, enjoying Plasma 5.9.5 and looking forward to 5.10.
I started with kubuntu 16.10 and I put backports and everything was correct. Then I upgraded to 17.04 and put backports on it and also everything correct.
Update without having to install everything from scratch and everything working like a charm. A very good option for those who do not want to use a rolling machine and also do not want to use an outdated lts.
Greetings.