As a rolling-release distro, blendOS v4 consistently integrates the latest innovations from the Linux ecosystem. This release is powered by the Linux kernel 6.9.3-arch1-1 and features GNOME 46 as the default desktop environment. However, users can also opt for KDE Plasma, Xfce, Budgie, or MATE.
Fully Declarative System
Starting with this version, blendOS has transitioned to a fully declarative model. This means users can now install any kernels, packages, and drivers from various Arch repositories and the AUR with ease. This flexibility ensures that blendOS remains adaptable to a wide range of user needs.
Android Application Support
One of the standout features of blendOS v4 is its support for Android applications. Users can enable this functionality through the “System” app on Wayland sessions of GNOME and KDE Plasma. This integration bridges the gap between traditional Linux applications and the vast ecosystem of Android apps.
Custom Containers for Emulating Other Distros
blendOS v4 introduces a new GUI application, along with a CLI counterpart, that allows users to create custom containers for emulating other distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS. When using these containers, packages like .deb, .rpm, and .apk are installed within their respective environments. These applications can then be launched as if they were native to the host system.
The developers provided an illustrative example: apt in a Debian container named 'deb' can be accessed and used in the host shell as apt.deb. Applications running within these containers appear seamlessly in the app grid or launcher when using a desktop environment, making them indistinguishable from native applications.
Installation and Contribution
The official blendOS website offers multiple download mirrors for obtaining the v4 release. However, at the time of writing, many of these mirrors were offline. The German mirror “Sahilister” was used to test this release. For those needing assistance with installation, the documentation provides comprehensive guidance. It also includes instructions on switching the desktop environment using the “tracks” feature if GNOME is not preferred.
For individuals interested in contributing to blendOS development or reviewing the source code, the project's GitLab repository is available for exploration.
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