Peek is one of my favourite bits of software. I don’t use it often — for a millennial I’m surprisingly bad at using GIFs — but when I do use it, I always appreciate how perfectly formed it is.
So naturally I’m excited to say that a new version of Peek is now available for download.
And it features a batch of welcome improvements that make an already-great app that little bit better!
Peek 1.4.0 Improvements
Peek 1.4.0 is the first major update to this GIF maker since early 2018.
The update features critical bug and stability fixes as well as an improved UI and an all-new icon.
Changes include:
- App menu moved into app window
- Fixes for use with tiling window managers
- Shortcut hint is now shown in the main window
- Improved various error messages/logs
The developer behind Peek says he isn’t finished here, either.
“I originally wanted to include more in this release, but in the end it is more important to bring this release out and then focus on the future. I don’t want to have such a long delay again,” he writes.
Are the any features or functions missing from Peek? I can’t think of any, but if you can, share them in the comments.
Peek is easy to use
Peek works simply: you open the app, position its (see through) frame over the section of screen you need to record, hit the record button then mouse about/demo what you need to.
When you’re done you hit stop, give the app time to assemble the .gif file, then, when ready, upload/embed/tweet/share it with the world.
Peek offers a decent range of configuration options, including a shortcut key to stop/start recording; variable GIF quality and frame rate; and an adjustable ‘delay’ before recording starts.
Installing Peek 1.4.0 on Ubuntu
Peek 1.4.0 is available to download as source code from Github. The update will also be also available to install from Flathub, the Flatpak app store, at some point in the coming days.
Ubuntu users (as well as those on Linux Mint) can install Peek from the Peek PPA. This is an official PPA that make it easy to install Peek on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and above.
To add the Peek PPA to your software sources run this command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:peek-developers/stable
Refresh your package list and install the app:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install peek
Once the install is complete you can proceed to open Peek using your preferred app launcher.