Linux Mint has released its regular monthly newsletter; this time, we have some exciting updates to share with you. First up, the team is making steady progress toward the highly anticipated beta release of Linux Mint 22.2, with a slew of new features and refinements in the pipeline.
Currently in the final stages of development, Mint 22.2 is shaping up to be a noteworthy update. The team is focusing on merging pull requests and polishing packages, though an exact release date hasn’t been set just yet. If all goes according to plan, users can expect the beta to drop by late July or early August.
Some of the key improvements in this release include:
- HWE (Hardware Enablement) kernel support, ensuring better compatibility with newer hardware.
- Fingerprint authentication, a welcome addition for security-conscious users.
- Theme updates and accent color support, allowing for more personalized desktop experiences.
- Enhanced libAdwaita compatibility, smoothing over some long-standing GTK4 integration quirks.
Additionally, the Cinnamon edition is seeing further refinements to ensure input methods and keyboard layouts work seamlessly with Wayland—a sign that the team is gradually preparing for a future beyond X11.
Once Linux Mint 22.2 stabilizes, attention will shift to LMDE 7, codenamed “Gigi”, which is expected to enter the spotlight around September. Building on the same improvements as its Ubuntu-based counterpart, Gigi will instead run on a Debian 13 package base, offering users a rock-solid alternative free from Ubuntu’s release cycle.
One standout feature in LMDE 7 is the introduction of OEM installation support—a first for the Debian edition, addressing a notable limitation in LMDE 6. This move could make LMDE a more viable option for hardware vendors and users who prefer a pure Debian foundation.
For more information, see the announcement on Mint’s blog.
