What Will Linux Look Like in 2020? Top Predictions Unveiled
Joey Sneddon forecasts a surge in Linux hardware, a pivotal Ubuntu LTS release, major WSL improvements, the possible emergence of a GNOME‑based OS, and a shift toward lightweight distributions, outlining the key trends that will shape Linux and open‑source ecosystems in 2020.
As 2020 approaches, Joey Sneddon shares five bold predictions about the future of Linux and open‑source software.
Linux devices will explode
New Linux‑powered hardware is expected to flood the market, including Pine64’s upcoming PinePhone (US$149), PineTab tablet (US$79), and PineTime smartwatch (US$25). These devices run open‑source software on mainstream Linux kernels, and further Pine64 releases are anticipated.
Focal becomes the focus
Ubuntu 19.10 was voted the best Ubuntu release in a decade. The upcoming Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, slated for April 2020, is expected to be a major milestone, especially for users upgrading from 18.04 LTS, given the massive LTS user base and recent GNOME Shell performance gains.
WSL will see major improvements
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is set for a breakthrough thanks to WSL2’s substantial enhancements. Canonical aims to boost WSL’s popularity on Ubuntu, sponsoring Microsoft’s first WSL conference and investing heavily in developer resources.
GNOME OS could emerge
Sneddon speculates that a GNOME‑based operating system may appear, arguing that the GNOME design team’s vision for the Shell differs from how downstream distributions actually use it. Concerns about third‑party GTK themes, stylesheets, and icons fuel the debate, while KDE Neon’s success shows demand for a curated desktop experience.
Lightweight versus heavyweight
Performance improvements in GNOME 3.34 will continue through GNOME 3.36 and 3.38. KDE Plasma has proven viable on low‑power ARM laptops like the PineBook Pro, and Raspberry Pi 4 now offers a desktop‑class experience. Interest in lightweight distros such as Alpine Linux, Peppermint OS, Zorin OS Lite, and elementary OS is growing, supporting Sneddon’s prediction of a focus on low‑performance hardware.
Sneddon also hopes for longer Linux battery life, more high‑quality native Linux applications, and an improved Ubuntu App Store in the coming year.
Source: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/12/linux-predictions-2020
Signed-in readers can open the original source through BestHub's protected redirect.
This article has been distilled and summarized from source material, then republished for learning and reference. If you believe it infringes your rights, please contactand we will review it promptly.
Programmer DD
A tinkering programmer and author of "Spring Cloud Microservices in Action"
How this landed with the community
Was this worth your time?
0 Comments
Thoughtful readers leave field notes, pushback, and hard-won operational detail here.