The open-source desktop landscape has taken another significant step forward with the official release of GNOME 44, code-named "Kuala Lumpur." As one of the most widely deployed graphical user environments in the Linux ecosystem, GNOME continues to balance user-friendly design with deep technical flexibility. The latest version introduces a comprehensive suite of updates, ranging from refreshed core applications and streamlined settings panels to innovative developer initiatives and broader distribution support.
To explore the details behind the new release, we spoke with key members of the GNOME project: Caroline Henriksen, brand manager; Matthias Clasen, GNOME developer and release team member; and Allan Day of the design team. Their insights shed light on the meticulous work that went into GNOME 44, the philosophy driving its community engagement, and the pathways available for newcomers looking to contribute to the platform.
New GNOME 44 Features and User Experience Enhancements
At first glance, users upgrading to GNOME 44 will notice a significantly fresher and more modern aesthetic across the entire desktop experience. This visual refinement is not limited to isolated corners of the system; it permeates core applications like Files, the foundational file manager formerly known as Nautilus, and brings substantial improvements to the system Settings application.
The design team has focused heavily on iterative enhancements over the past development cycle, resulting in overhauled panels throughout the Settings app. A standout example is the newly redesigned Mouse and Touchpad panel, which now features engaging animated illustrations designed to make device configuration clearer and more delightful.
Beyond visual polish, GNOME 44 introduces functional improvements aimed at daily productivity. Users navigating directories can now take advantage of a brand-new grid view within the file chooser, providing a more visual alternative to traditional lists. Additionally, quick settings have been expanded with a revamped Bluetooth menu, making the process of discovering, pairing, and connecting wireless devices faster and more intuitive than ever before.
Expanding the GNOME Circle Ecosystem
The release notes for GNOME 44 also highlight the continued growth of GNOME Circle, a curated collection of exceptional third-party applications built on top of the GNOME platform. GNOME Circle serves as a vital mechanism for the project to recognize, promote, and support independent application developers who utilize GNOME technologies.
Achieving inclusion in GNOME Circle requires applications to meet specific quality and technical standards. Once approved, developers receive valuable benefits, including amplified publicity and official membership in the GNOME Foundation. This membership grants creators access to crucial project infrastructure and travel sponsorships to attend industry events.
The initiative has proven remarkably successful, boasting a catalog of more than 50 distinct applications. Notably, the scope of GNOME Circle extends well beyond traditional computing utilities, encompassing creative and lifestyle software such as dedicated health trackers, digital metronomes, and precision chess clocks.
Distribution and the Origins of "Kuala Lumpur"
As a cornerstone of the Linux desktop, GNOME serves as the default user environment for several major operating system distributions. Linux users can expect to experience GNOME 44 natively in upcoming major releases, including the forthcoming Fedora 38 and Ubuntu 23.04. Furthermore, rapid-release and rolling distributions like openSUSE Tumbleweed and MicroOS have already integrated GNOME 44 builds into their repositories.
The traditions surrounding GNOME version code names continue with Kuala Lumpur. Following an established naming convention introduced years ago—beginning with GNOME 3.18, which was dubbed Gothenburg—releases are named in honor of the cities that host the project’s most recent major gatherings.
The Kuala Lumpur designation recognizes the warm hospitality shown by the local Malaysian team that welcomed the community for GNOME Asia 2022. Organizing such international events requires immense dedication from both GNOME staff and local volunteers. Naming each software release after the most recent conference location serves as a permanent token of appreciation for the host cities where the community converges. Alongside GNOME Asia, the project organizes GUADEC, its flagship European-rooted conference, which is scheduled to take place in Latvia in July 2023.
Community Collaboration and Global Accessibility
At its core, GNOME remains fundamentally community-driven, sustained by a deep-seated culture of collaboration and inclusivity. This ethos is widely cited as the driving force that keeps both contributors and long-term users passionately engaged with the platform. Participating in the GNOME ecosystem allows individuals from across the globe to unite around shared technical goals, exchange innovative ideas, and collaborate on software that impacts millions of daily users.
Fostering this level of engagement requires intentional efforts to meet community members where they are, both digitally and physically. A notable milestone in this ongoing effort occurred when the flagship GUADEC conference was hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico—marking the first time the primary event was held outside of Europe. This geographic shift significantly lowered barriers to participation, making it much easier for contributors and enthusiasts from Latin America to attend, network, and contribute directly to project governance and development.
Beyond its own dedicated conferences, the GNOME project maintains a visible presence at numerous independent open-source gatherings, including the Linux Application Summit, FOSDEM, and SCaLE. At these events, project representatives—comprising developers, designers, foundation staff, and board members—frequently host community booths, offering attendees an open invitation to ask questions, learn about the technology, and discuss the future of the desktop environment.
Getting Involved and Contributing to GNOME
For individuals inspired by the project who wish to move beyond usage and begin creating their own software, the GNOME ecosystem offers remarkably accessible entry points. Comprehensive resources are centralized on the official developer portal, which includes documentation and a streamlined guide for writing a first application.
Modern tooling has simplified application development considerably. Leveraging technologies like Flatpak and GNOME Builder, creators can establish a functional development environment almost instantly. Developers simply launch Builder, initialize a new project, and input basic parameters to have a running GNOME application up and executing in moments.
Beyond writing native applications, there are numerous avenues for individuals of all skill levels to support the project. Beginners frequently start by participating in discussions on the community’s Discourse instance or by filing detailed bug reports. Furthermore, the project relies heavily on non-technical contributions, including translation work, documentation writing, and event organization. For those with programming experience, the project maintains an active repository of introductory issues tagged specifically for newcomers on GitLab.
Financial contributions also play a crucial role in sustaining the project. As an independent non-profit foundation overseeing an open-source initiative, regular donations enable GNOME to maintain essential infrastructure, support developer initiatives, and fund ongoing community outreach programs worldwide.
