Thunderbird's Supernova Update

In a recent announcement, the Thunderbird team has hinted at an exciting "Supernova" update set for release in 2023. This significant update will bring a complete redesign along with several key features. One of the most notable additions is Firefox Sync, enabling users to synchronize email accounts, calendars, address books, and RSS feeds in the cloud. This functionality will be particularly beneficial with the anticipated launch of Thunderbird for Android, which is based on K9 Mail and also scheduled for a 2023 release.

Following the "Supernova" redesign, users will have the option to collapse weekends in the calendar view to optimize space. This feature is customizable, allowing users to define which days are considered weekends based on their work schedules. Calendar actions will transition to a context menu, keeping the toolbar clean and minimalistic, while still allowing for full customization. Additionally, searching within Thunderbird will be enhanced with hotkey hints, and a dedicated sidebar will aid in locating specific events. Overall, the design overhaul provides a much more contemporary look.

Flathub's Verified Applications

Recently, Flathub has begun verifying applications to enhance user trust. Code was integrated to display a verified badge on an application's page if the owner can validate their ownership of the app, its repository, and the app ID domain (e.g., “org.mozilla.firefox”). The first application to showcase this badge is Kodi, a multimedia player for videos, music, and podcasts. The verification process is still being discussed, particularly regarding GNOME extensions. This initiative marks a significant step towards making Flathub a secure platform for application installation, with the added benefit that obtaining a verification badge is free of charge.

Mastodon 4: The End of Toot

As users continue to transition from Twitter to Mastodon, the platform has released its fourth version, which introduces several notable changes. One of the most apparent changes is the renaming of the button for posting updates from "Toot" to "Publish." The original name came from a humorous sponsorship request by a popular YouTuber, who jokingly insisted on the name change. Unfortunately, the creator was unaware that "Toot" is a euphemism for flatulence in American English. The name has now been simplified to enhance usability for new users.

Beyond the name change, Mastodon 4 introduces a range of new features, including hashtag following, post translation, editing capabilities, an upgraded filtering system, and customizable user roles for administration.

KDE Frameworks 5 Reaches Milestone

KDE has celebrated a significant milestone with the release of its 100th version of Frameworks 5. Since the initial release of Frameworks 5.0, KDE has consistently delivered monthly updates, enhancing its desktop environment and applications. The latest update brings widespread improvements, including easier access to hidden files in Dolphin, stability in the Plasma System Monitor when using NVIDIA graphics, and fixes for application issues related to inaccessible "Recent Documents." Additionally, the labeling of the delete button has been updated to "Delete Permanently" to clarify its function, and center-aligned widgets will now display centered popups.