The technology landscape for Linux users is set to experience significant change in the upcoming year, as reported by PC World. Several key trends, hardware innovations, and software developments are on the horizon that will likely shape not only the Linux environment but broader IT practices.
One of the more uncertain futures involves the Raspberry Pi, particularly following its public listing in mid-2024. The Raspberry Pi Foundation’s share price has shown volatility, sparking discussions surrounding future models of the mini-computer. As the foundation shifts its focus towards profit maximisation, hardware prices are expected to rise, and the continued production of older models may be at risk. The implications of this transition from non-profit origins to a profit-driven focus remain to be seen.
On the desktop front, the slow transition to the Wayland display protocol is notable. As Gnome 47 and KDE Plasma 6 make Wayland the standard, an increasing number of Linux distributions, including Fedora and Ubuntu, are anticipated to follow suit by 2025. However, only a few desktop environments, such as Enlightenment, are making aggressive moves towards this transition. While Ubuntu and other mainstream distributions still offer Wayland as an experimental option, ensuring full compatibility and stability with existing applications is expected to present challenges, as users will continue to rely on the longstanding X11 window system for some time.
The upcoming release of Debian 13, named "Trixie," is also significant. Scheduled for 2025, it will provide a variant for 32-bit processors while phasing out support for very old i386 CPUs. The impending release is essential as many Linux derivatives depend on Debian’s architecture, necessitating their updates in line with Debian's schedule.
Ubuntu users should also note that end-of-life support for version 20.04 is set to cease in April 2025 unless extended support options are obtained. This could result in a shift toward more up-to-date Long-Term Support (LTS) versions for those operating critical systems.
The potential switch to Linux desktops is further emphasised by the impending end of free updates for Windows 10, following its unsupported status after October 2025. The higher hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11 mean that the Linux market may see an uptick in users seeking alternatives due to compatibility issues.
Another emerging trend is the move towards "immutable" operating systems, exemplified by openSUSE Leap 16, expected to be released in mid-2025. The architecture promises stability and security by relying on a write-protected base system. This fits into larger trends seen in the industry, as more systems focus on security and maintenance efficiencies, often prioritising server and cloud use over desktop flexibility.
The rise of Nix-OS and its shared configuration system may influence how users approach system management, benefiting both cloud setups and individual desktops by facilitating reproducibility and package dependency management.
In parallel, discussions are surfacing regarding the potential abolition of the sudo command in favour of a new tool named run0, which aims to offer a more secure alternative with minimal configuration requirements. This development reflects ongoing efforts to enhance usability in Linux environments.
The technology landscape will also see advancements in hardware, particularly with the release of new CPU models from AMD and Intel, targeting improvements in performance and efficiency. The concept of the "AI PC," featuring dedicated graphics processing capabilities, is anticipated to gain traction, with the incorporation of Energy-efficient Neural Processing Units (NPUs) enhancing the capabilities of these devices.
Mass storage solutions are expected to advance significantly as well, with SSD capacities projected to double to 128TB by mid-2025. The mechanical hard drive market is also expected to see continued innovation due to new technologies that could lead to drives with capacities reaching 40TB or more.
Wi-Fi 7 technology is on the verge of entering the market, promising substantial improvements in data throughput and communication stability. Meanwhile, new RAM standards, particularly DDR6, are being anticipated along with new image formats that could change the digital landscape.
Furthermore, the emerging Internet of Behaviour (IoB) concept suggests new analytics derived from interconnected devices, impacting various sectors including retail and insurance. As data collection expands, debates around privacy and user consent may shape how these statistics are employed in the future.
Lastly, the ongoing trade tensions between the US, EU, and China have influenced Huawei's transition to offering its own Harmony OS on laptops. The operating system's performance and software compatibility will be closely scrutinised as it takes steps to replace Windows in its devices, signalling a noteworthy shift in the market.
The breadth of changes anticipated across the Linux ecosystem and broader technological landscape emphasises a period of transition characterized by innovation and adaptation in response to evolving user needs and market demands.
Source: Noah Wire Services