Elementary OS 8.1 has been released, introducing significant enhancements for users, including support for 64-bit ARM devices and multitasking features. This iteration follows the previous version, which revamped the Dock for application management and brought back some features from the former Plank panel, such as displaying multiple dots for apps with several windows.
Among the notable updates are improved design elements, including dark mode capability for the lock screen and enhanced compatibility with screen readers. The update also introduces a new system monitor, a Maps application, and a modernized tab bar in the Terminal. Additionally, the GNOME Web 48.3 browser has been upgraded, and the Music player now features better queue management.
Elementary OS 8.1 operates on Linux kernel 6.14 and includes the Mesa 25 graphics stack, contributing to improved performance and reduced power usage for various hardware configurations. Users can now expect better functionality with fractional scaling in the new Secure Session, which utilizes Wayland as the default session protocol.
The operating system can be downloaded from the official Elementary website, and it is also available pre-installed on various computers from select manufacturers.