The first point release of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS is available to download.
Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS pulls together the bug patches, app updates, and security fixes issued to the release since its debut back in April.
Also Read: ‘16 Things to Do After Installing Ubuntu 16.04‘
The result is a brand-new, easily deployable image that doesn’t require several hundred megabytes worth of updates immediately after install.
Hardware Enablement Stack
In addition to the convenience of not having to install updates, Ubuntu point releases introduce new and improved hardware support. This helps ensure that the OS keeps pace with technology and remains compatible throughout its five-year lifecycle.
As this is the first point release it doesn’t include a new Hardware Enablement stack. Ubuntu 16.04.1 ships with the same Linux kernel and xserver as the debut release last year. Ubuntu 16.04.2, due February 2017, will ship with a new stack, derived from Ubuntu 16.10.
You can see Canonical’s kernel plans in the following graphic:
What’s New in Ubuntu 16.04.1?
I’ll skip recovering everything that’s new in Ubuntu 16.04 because, chances are, you already know, and if you don’t, check out our April article to see what’s new in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
Among the notable changes to arrive in Xenial since its release — there’s far too many to go over here — you’ll find a new, updated version of the webbrowser-app, Snap app support in Ubuntu Software, and there’s an improved low-graphics mode for the Unity desktop when running in virtual machines or on less capable devices.
An exhaustive list of the changes, fixes and improvements can be found in the release notes on the Ubuntu wiki. The point release also includes all security notices up to (and including) July 19.
To download the latest ISO image hit one of the torrent links below, or grab an ISO straight from the release server (make sure to download the image(s) listed July 22 and not the image(s) from April 20).
Trusty And On Time
But there’s more to this milestone than a perfectly polished .iso image for latecomers. Today is also the day that users of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr) are notified that a new Ubuntu release is ready.
Prior to this release anyone running the desktop 14.04 LTS release needed to manually opt-in to trigger the upgrade.
You cannot upgrade from Ubuntu 12.04 LTS directly to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
If you’re already using Ubuntu 16.04, you do not need to do anything magical to upgrade to Ubuntu 16.04.1. Just open and run the Update Manager tool and install any pending updates to upgrade your system to the latest software.
Those of you who still run Ubuntu 14.04 LTS: will you be xeroxing yourself to the Xenial Xerus?