Get ready for a fresh and modern experience with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS! This upcoming release is all about enhancing your default applications, and it's an exciting step forward. But here's the twist: it's not just about adding new features; it's about creating a seamless and user-friendly environment that aligns with the current GNOME trends.
Canonical, the masterminds behind Ubuntu, has decided to give us a whole new set of default apps. They're replacing the trusty Totem video player and GNOME System Monitor with some sleek and modern alternatives. Why? To create a more consistent and visually appealing desktop experience, of course!
Say hello to Showtime, the new media player in town. It's already been making waves as the upstream successor in GNOME 49, and for good reason. Showtime offers a contemporary and immersive interface, and its use of GTK4 and libadwaita ensures a smooth integration with other GNOME apps. Totem has served us well, but Canonical believes Showtime is the perfect match for the average user in the upcoming LTS version.
Now, let's talk about the replacement of GNOME System Monitor. This is where things get really interesting. Resources, a powerful yet user-friendly program, will take its place. Resources is not an official GNOME core component, but it's part of the curated GNOME Circle, and it's got some impressive features. It displays hardware usage and active processes clearly, and its accessibility features are top-notch, which is a big deal for an LTS release. Canonical considered several alternatives, but Resources came out on top, mainly due to its accessibility support.
Both Showtime and Resources are already available for you to try out. You can install Showtime directly from the package sources in Ubuntu 25.10 with a simple apt command, and Resources is accessible via Flathub, the official distribution channel according to its developer.
But don't worry if you're attached to the old apps. Totem and GNOME System Monitor will still be available in the Ubuntu archives. When you upgrade to Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, you'll have the freedom to choose which apps you want to keep. Only new installations will come with the updated apps by default.
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed Resolute Raccoon, is set to release in April 2026, and it will receive the usual five years of support, taking us all the way to 2031.
So, what do you think about these changes? Are you excited to try out the new default apps, or do you prefer the classics? Let's discuss in the comments! It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on these updates.
