2025-10-07

njs-0.9.3 bugfix version has been released.

Hot off the release of OS 8.0.2, we’ve got a great new batch of feature updates for you as we get closer to the release of elementary OS 8.1!

Maps

The first stable release of elementary Maps is now available for download on any Linux OS. For now we’ve focused on some of the basics like showing your current location, searching for locations, and handling geo:// uri links.

You may recall that Maps evolved from the Atlas code base originally written by Steffen Schuhmann for elementary OS. Ryo has worked hard to maintain the code and update it for the latest platform libraries like GTK4. Since the rename, we’ve updated the app to match the latest elementary styles and design conventions. We’ve also added an illustrated view switcher between Explore and Transit maps and when you search you’ll see color coded place type icons next to search results. Keyboard navigation, screen reader accessibility, and performance should also be slightly improved. Plus we have a modernized app icon, shoutouts to Micah for providing art direction.

AppCenter

On the Home page, the “Updates & installed apps” button is now properly labeled for screen readers. We’ve fixed a minor visual bug with banner shadows. And the “Education” category now has an icon.

In app info views, we now show a simple percentage-based app rating when ratings are available from ODRS—the same ratings server used by apps like GNOME Software. Expect future versions of AppCenter to expand our support for ratings and reviews, but for now we have some groundwork laid out. App info views also now show content warnings with a more compact layout. Italo updated our “End of Life” warnings to contain more accurate language, and licensing information now shows more detail and a simplified summary. Plus, we now show when a game supports playing with controllers. Leonhard added support for app addons, and we’ve simplified the “What’s New” section to show just the latest release, with the option to view more releases in a separate version history window.

Leonhard did a ton of work in this release to make app updates faster and more reliable. The code has been massively streamlined and we’ve resolved reported crashes that some folks were experiencing while checking for updates. Plus we’re now using GTK 4’s FilterListModels for improved performance. The “Last checked” time is now updated every minute while the updates view is open and the gear menu can now be opened with the keyboard shortcut F10.

We’ve made a few changes to the way installed apps are shown to make it easier to keep up with what’s new when you have automatic app updates turned on. Installed apps are now sorted by release date instead of alphabetically. The Releases dialog got a slight redesign and you can now see recent releases for all installed apps. And we’ve adjusted where the version number and store origin labels appear to clean up their layout.

Occasionally, app icons can take a little longer to load; When this happens they’ll now fall back to a nicer placeholder and cross fade into their proper icons once available, thanks to Italo. We’ve changed the label of the action button for free apps from “Free” to “Install”, according to your feedback. “Recent” apps in Category views should feature a more up-to-date selection and be a bit faster to load. And Search Results will now show in two columns when enough space is available so that you can see more results at once.

Dock

When we ran our desktop survey 75% of you told us that you expected to see background apps in the Dock, so we now have Background Portal support in the Dock thanks to Leonhard! Here you can see a list of apps running the background without a window, their supplied reason for running the background, and you have the ability to force them to quit. You can always further manage app permissions in System Settings → Applications and choose which apps are allowed to run in the background.

New contributor Sebastian fixed issues with the placement of app name tooltips, added a shake animation when you try to open a new window on a single-window app with middle-click, and fixed an issue where re-arranging app icons in the dock could cause them to shake indefinitely. Leonhard fixed an issue where maximized windows would be behind a portion of the dock when hiding is turned off. And William improved the color of the indicator dot for apps which are active on another workspace.

Panel & Settings

In Quick Settings, we’ll now show a message when you try to turn on the onscreen keyboard in a Secure Session since it’s currently only available in a Classic session. And we’ve added a couple of nice animations when you toggle Dark Mode or Rotation Lock.

Vishal fixed a potential crash when using the network indicator on the Lock Screen. And we’ve improved Airplane Mode: it will now only disable networking radios, not Bluetooth or wired networks. Plus you can now jump to System Settings when middle-clicking networking toggle buttons.

Application settings now has a setting to select your default Maps app, and you can start typing to search apps right away instead of having to select the search icon first.

Login & Lock Screen

Leo put a ton of effort into this latest release of the Login & Lock Screen, including support for the automatic accent color and Dark mode! We now also sync more of your settings like panel transparency and power settings. We’ve improved keyboard navigation, and will automatically select the Classic session if accessibility features are used, for example, during Initial Setup. We’ll also do a better job of remembering your last selected user card and their session type.

And More

Jeremy also pushed another round of maintenance updates for our developer tools! Files now does a better job when drag-n-dropping files into other apps, and Properties windows now show a more precise date and time for file modification. Code’s terminal pane now does a better job syncing with your Terminal app settings, and he fixed an issue where exiting a shell would break the terminal pane. In the Terminal app, he improved unsafe paste warning detection for commands that contain newlines, and the search bar now takes up a more appropriate amount of space.

Get These Updates

As always, pop open System Settings → System on elementary OS 8 and hit “Update All” to get these updates plus your regular security, bug fix, and translation updates. Or set up automatic updates and get a notification when updates are ready to install!

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Early Access

We landed blur-behind in a couple of more places in Early Access! The Dock is now slightly more transparent and things behind it will be blurred. This improves legibility when for example busy text is behind the dock. And we’ve also merged some updated styles for Notifications including slight transparency, blur-behind, more rounded corners, and softer shadows. Plus Leo cleaned up Notification close animations. If you’re not a fan of transparency and blur effects, you can always turn off “Panel Transparency” in System Settings → Dock & Panel.

Subhadeep has merged in initial support for fingerprint enrollment in User settings. We’re still working out the experience for fingerprint authentication dialogs for example, but if you have a compatible fingerprint reader you should be able to start testing support and send us feedback about what is and isn’t working.

Plus, daily and release candidate quality builds will now use the Secure Session by default. We’ve received a ton of feedback that the updates we’ve made since the release of OS 8 have made the experience of using the Secure session much better than the Classic session for most people, including improved performance and fewer bugs encountered. So we’re really excited to make it the default experience going forward.

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Sponsors

At the moment we’re at 24% of our monthly funding goal and 321 Sponsors on GitHub! Shoutouts to everyone helping us reach our goals here. Your monthly sponsorship funds development and makes sure we have the resources we need to give you the best version of elementary OS we can!

Monthly release candidate builds and daily Early Access builds are available to GitHub Sponsors from any tier! Beware that Early Access builds are not considered stable and you will encounter fresh issues when you run them. We’d really appreciate reporting any problems you encounter with the Feedback app or directly on GitHub.

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1.21.10 is a minor hotfix update to Java Edition released on October 7, 2025, which fixes various bugs. It is compatible with 1.21.9 servers. Full changelog: https://minecraft.wiki/Java_Edition_1.21.10

Works with Home Assistant is opening its doors to another new partner who is bringing the first Garage Door Openers and Alarm Panel to the program, all of which are using ESPHome under the hood. Konnected are well known for their devices that let you retrofit new smarts into the devices you already have, allowing you to use them in Home Assistant and keep them working longer.

Getting Konnected

Konnected have been well-known in the Home Assistant community, as they’ve been active members for years. As members of the community, they know how hard it can be to connect the devices that are already built into your home, whether they’re smart or not. That’s why Konnected’s first product was their drop-in replacement alarm panel boards, which allow you to take decades-old wired alarm systems and add them into Home Assistant.

Another challenge the community was facing was garage door openers (GDOs), especially cloud-based openers. In the early days of Home Assistant, the community figured out the APIs for these providers and controlled them that way. Some manufacturers noticed this and put barriers up blocking people from controlling the devices they own, claiming it as “unauthorized usage” 🙄.

The community was naturally incensed, and did what tinkerers tend to do when a cloud gets in their way — they began tinkering with hardware. A community emerged to take back control of these devices, starting with projects like ratgdo, which Konnected used as a base for their work. Today, because of these projects, there are multiple great open source tools to control a large number of these GDOs, ranging from DIY schematics to finished controllers. Konnected has an open source solution which works locally, as well as having the form factor and safety standards to match. Even better, Konnected devices are available in over 60 countries.

For anyone who has used Konnected for quite some time, you’ll notice that they had their own integration, which has now been deprecated in favor of the ESPHome firmware, so that it’s always straightforward to find (or build) the firmware you need. They even publish all their code on GitHub 👏, which allows the community to help them fix issues and add features.

Konnected is another example of ESPHome (a project from the Open Home Foundation) fostering an entirely new ecosystem of Open Home projects. It works fully locally, and it’s perfect for tinkerers, allowing you to build DIY smart home devices yourself (get started with one of our ready-made projects). Konnected also have a thriving community of their own if you have questions or comments.

Creators can also use it to make pre-built, plug-and-play products that give users a really seamless experience. Devices are easily discovered and added to your Wi-Fi network and Home Assistant, along with a one-click update within Home Assistant. To learn more about how Konnected uses ESPHome, look out for Nate on the next ESPHome live stream on October 14!

Remember, the development of projects like ESPHome from the Open Home Foundation is supported by Home Assistant Cloud subscribers and anyone who purchases Home Assistant hardware. While all of Konnected’s devices work locally, if you’re interested in remote access, allowing you to keep tabs on your home’s security when you’re out and about, check out Home Assistant Cloud.

Devices

The Konnected Smart Garage Door Opener blaQ

For anyone new to the Works With Home Assistant program, it’s a way for us to formally certify devices that have been tested by our team, and help you know what works great out of the box with Home Assistant. Any company joining also commits to providing long-term support and firmware updates. Works With Home Assistant is operated by the Open Home Foundation, and the support of Home Assistant Cloud subscribers funds this work. These items were all tested by members of the ESPHome team to see exactly how they function in their own homes.

The Konnected certified devices are listed below:

• Konnected Smart Garage Door Opener blaQ
• Konnected Smart Garage Door Opener White (v2)
• Konnected Alarm Panel Pro

Let’s Konnect

A nice benefit of retrofitting your old wired security system is not needing to maintain loads of battery-powered sensors 🪫. The Alarm Panel Pro has the ability to connect 12 zones (security speak for individual or joined up sensors), it also allows you to connect keypads and sirens, and includes 12V power for the devices that need that. It’s highly customizable, and there’s also plenty of support available if you need help with installation. You can power it using 12V or Power-over-Ethernet, or both! The Alarm Panel Pro is designed to be always-on, and they’ve designed it to consume very little power. This also allows it to easily run for hours on their backup battery.

You’ll also probably be wondering why there are two different variants of the garage door openers, and that’s because each supports a different set of manufacturers. There is a wizard to help you figure out which variant will work with your opener. Between the Konnected GDO blaQ and White, you get support for some of the biggest manufacturers out there, including Chamberlain, LiftMaster, Craftsman, Merlin, Genie, Stanley, and more.

Even with the Konnected controlling your garage door opener, you’re still able to use the included remote or the original manufacturer’s app (if you like that kind of torture). The GDO White features a built-in optical laser sensor that detects whether your garage door is open or closed. The GDO blaQ offers control over the opener’s light and lock, and can even partially open the door (for openers that support these features).

As we mentioned at the top, it’s great to have more products added to the program that help people get the most out of the things they already own. A big part of the Open Home Foundation’s mission is sustainability in the smart home, and Konnected are helping our community get longer lasting use of their existing security and garage door systems.

FAQs

Q: If I have a device that is not listed under ‘Works with Home Assistant does this mean it’s not supported?

A: No! It just means that it hasn’t gone through a testing schedule with our team or doesn’t fit the requirements of the program. It might function perfectly well, but has not yet been added to the testing schedule, or it might work under a different connectivity type that we don’t currently test under the program.

Q: Ok, so what’s the point of the Works with program?

A: It highlights the devices we know work well with Home Assistant and the brands that make a long-term commitment to keeping support for these devices going. The certification agreement specifies that the devices must have full functionality within Home Assistant, operate locally without the need for cloud and will continue to do so long-term.

Q: How were these devices tested?

A: All devices in this list were tested using a standard Home Assistant Green Hub with the ESPHome integration. If you have another set-up that’s not a problem, but we test against these as they are the most effective way for our team to certify within our ecosystem.

Q: Will you be adding more Konnected devices to the program?

A: Why not! Konnected are also looking to do some exciting things with Matter soon, so we’re excited to work together on any upcoming releases or add in further products that are not yet listed here.