KDE Plasma 6 Desktop Environment Is Now Available for Public Beta Testing
Accompanied by the beta versions of KDE Frameworks 6 and KDE Gear 24.02 software suites, all built against the Qt 6 application framework, the first KDE Plasma 6 beta release is here with another layer of bug fixes and improvements that make the upcoming desktop environment more stable and reliable for everyday use.
KDE Plasma 6 is scheduled for release on February 28th, 2024, and promises numerous new features and enhancements, including full Wayland support, a brand-new icon theme for a fresh new look, as well as the return of the highly requested desktop cube effect, which you can see in the featured screenshot above.
Update (by Roy)
The official page:
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KDE's 6th Megarelease - Beta 1
En route to the new Plasma, Frameworks and Gear
It has been nearly 10 years since the last big release of our flagship Plasma desktop environment, and the time has come again. KDE is making available today the Beta version of all the software we will include in a megarelease scheduled for the end of February 2024.
To ensure all parts of KDE's software stack are working together, we are releasing all our major bundles at the same time. Today sees the continuation of that journey with the Beta releases of Plasma 6, KDE Frameworks 6 and the KDE Gear bundle of apps.
Liam Dawe:
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KDE Plasma 6 - Beta 1 released
The KDE team continue sprinting towards to finish line of the Plasma 6 release next year, with a Beta release now available for the popular Linux desktop environment which is also used on Steam Deck.
Notebookcheck:
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Linux desktop: Open Beta of KDE Plasma 6 available for testing
Along with GNOMEX and Xfce, KDE is one of the veterans of Linux desktop interfaces that has been serving Linux users since 1996. The KDE team has now announced Beta 1 of the Plasma 6 desktop suite, which is scheduled for final release at the end of February 2024. In addition to the actual KDE Plasma Desktop, the developer tools "KDE Frameworks" 5.246.0 and the application collection "KDE Gear" 24.01.80 are also on board.
According to the blog of KDE developer "Nate", Beta 1 introduces several exciting features to the desktop interface: wallpapers can now be set directly via the KDE settings app and the Linux store front end "Discover" now displays a "Newly Published and Recently Updated" section. The "Night Light" system settings subpage has been revised by KDE developers and active windows are now highlighted with the selected accent color for better differentiation.
FOSS Force:
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All Systems Are ‘Go’ as KDE Plasma 6 Readies for Its Prime Time Debut
KDE Plasma 6 developers have been holding a steady course, and the ready-for-prime-time version of the major new release of the popular desktop environment appears to be on schedule for its planned February 28 release.
I say “major” because Plasma 6 will replace the Plasma 5 series which saw its first release in 2014, and which has seen 27 point releases since.
ZDNet:
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KDE Plasma 6's open beta delivers myriad delights - and you can try it now
The KDE team has officially announced the release of beta 1 for KDE Plasma 6. Along with this release will arrive the latest version of Frameworks and Gear.
It has been nearly a decade since the team has offered a big release like this, so you can bet this new version will have plenty to delight all sorts of users. Although the official release isn't set to be available until February 2024, those who want to get a glimpse of what's coming can finally get their chance.