GNOME 47 ‘Denver’ proved a decent update to the GNOME desktop, delivering a hearty dose of new features, UI refinements, and app improvements.
As those of you using Ubuntu 24.10 are no-doubt enjoying.
But as one release goes out, work on the next begins…
GNOME 48: Release Schedule
GNOME 48 ‘Bengaluru‘ (named after the host city of the GNOME Asia Summit taking place in December) is scheduled for release on March 19, 2025.
And these are the dates for important development milestones along the way, offering opportunity to implement, add, and integrate changes, the necessary “freeze” to solidify the desired set to ship in stable, and then more testing to refine and hone what’s new:
- GNOME 48 (Alpha) – January 4, 2025
- GNOME 48 (Beta) – February 1, 2025
- API, ABI, Feature and UI Freeze – February 1, 2025
- GNOME 48 (Release Candidate) – March 1, 2025
The final stable release of GNOME 48 is out on March 19, 2025.
Of those dates, the beta is notable as feature freeze in the Ubuntu 25.04 release schedule is around this date, ergo roughly when those using Ubuntu 25.04 daily builds can expect GNOME 48 components to start appearing – always an exciting stage.
Also of note is GNOME 48.1 is set for release on April 12, 2025. The first point release in a new GNOME series is always a welcome one, resolving errant bugs, rough edges, and minor tweaks to improve any newly-added features and apps.
GNOME 48: What to Expect?
It’s too early to know what new features GNOME 48 will offer because, well, everything is still being planned, discussed, and decided.
That said, we can make some guesses in the meantime.
It’s possible we’ll some of the changes originally intended for GNOME 47 but that, for varying reasons, were delayed or postponed to allow for further discussion and refinement, like that proposal to change the default font to Inter.
GNOME 48 also presents another opportunity for Canonical’s Daniel van Vugt to land his long-awaited performance-enhancing triple-buffering support in Mutter upstream.
Elsewhere, GNOME Shell is likely to build on some what was added in 47, with notification grouping a likely possibility given that work has been ongoing for a while, and no-doubt we’ll see accent colour coverage extended to more places in the shell UI.
Core apps in GNOME 48 are certain to provide a clutch of improved capabilities – but what? Again, too early to know (at the time you read this) but there’s discussion on bringing a tab overview feature (like the one in GNOME Web) to Nautilus.
Meanwhile, Settings is considering a new ‘Wellbeing’ panel to surface break reminder options, and make the networking panel more comprehensive by integrating advanced mobile network configuration options, better VPN support, and more.
Loupe image viewer will offer improved zoom controls and behaviour – that’s anded – but RAW support and basic image editing (like cropping) has been mooted – compelling additions that could help persuade Ubuntu to adopt the app in the Plucky Puffin!
Elsewhere, Showtime, GNOME’s modern media player, could graduate from the Incubator playground to take over the media player role from Totem (it remains a capable understudy even while waiting).
All of the things mentioned above are TBC, TBD, and DBM (don’t blame me). No firm commitments, only indications from glancing over the state of development right now, like recent and proposed merges, ongoing discussions, and developer blog posts.
GNOME 48 will take a more assured shape over the coming months, so stayed tuned for updates about changes likely to make an impression in Ubuntu 25.04, which arrives next year.
What are your hope for GNOME 48? Is there a feature or enhancement you’re pining to see? A small tweak that would make a big difference your workflow? Share it in the comments!