KDE Plasma 6.5 comes with curved corners
The new version of the KDE Plasma desktop environment rounds off window corners, improves the clipboard, and enhances accessibility.
(Image: Screenshot Tim SchĂĽrmann)
Like its predecessor, KDE Plasma 6.5 primarily offers numerous detail improvements; major innovations are scarce. The official announcement already celebrates the now also rounded window corners at the bottom – previously, only the two corners in the title bar were curved. Those who notice the subtle rounding at all and prefer to stick with sharp corners can revert to the old look in the settings.
Optical changes
Another innovation is much more noticeable: in the evening hours, the desktop environment automatically switches from the light to the dark theme, which is intended to be easier on the eyes in darker surroundings. Users can specify which themes should gradually transition into each other at which times. KDE Plasma 6.5 can also swap the wallpaper for its dark version – again, either at a predefined time of day or to match the color scheme.
If the wallpaper is to change regularly, a corresponding slideshow can be created. This is not only easier in KDE Plasma 6.5, but you can also manually switch between wallpapers using keyboard shortcuts. An optimized tone curve finally ensures a more attractive display of HDR images.
News from the clipboard
Anyone who repeatedly copies the same text to the clipboard can now "pin" it there with a mouse click. Text thus designated as a favorite will be permanently remembered by the clipboard. Speaking of the clipboard: when screen sharing via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), the server built into KDE Plasma can share it with the client. Furthermore, no additional user accounts need to be created for screen sharing anymore.
In the system settings, the "Wi-Fi & Networks" page now displays all available Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity, allowing direct connection. When sharing a network connection via a QR code, KDE Plasma 6.5 displays the corresponding Wi-Fi password below it. The connecting person then has the choice of how to log in their device to the Wi-Fi.
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Polished system settings
The system settings offer a few more minor changes. Artists can configure the rotary knobs and touch rings on their drawing tablets, and for gamers, the "Game Controller" page summarizes all important information about connected controllers such as gamepads. Furthermore, the system settings no longer just regulate the rights of Flatpak programs, but in principle all applications. To this end, the "Flatpak Permissions" page has been renamed to "Application Permissions".
The behavior when muting microphones and speakers has changed slightly: if the microphone is deactivated via a keyboard shortcut, KDE Plasma now mutes all microphones. If the speakers are muted and the volume is then changed, all playback devices are automatically activated.
More accessibility
Some work has gone into accessibility. Among other things, the screen reader Orca now reports (accidentally) pressed Caps Lock keys. Furthermore, screen readers describe the options in the system settings for "Shortcuts" and "Autostart". Those who perceive colors differently or incorrectly can desaturate them or directly convert the entire display to grayscale. When plugging in a device, KDE Plasma no longer just plays a sound but also displays a corresponding system notification.
Under certain circumstances, the screen flickered in previous KDE Plasma versions. This problem occurred, for example, in connection with the "Highlight Window" effect. The flickering was not only unpleasant, but it also had health consequences for some people. In version 6.5, the KDE developers have comprehensively addressed the problem and eliminated all known triggers for the flickering.
Other minor improvements
The Discover software center is faster, understands "flatpak+https://" addresses, and offers hardware drivers for installation. The screenshot tool Spectacle now also records all pop-up windows in videos. On the login screen, you can no longer just shut down and restart the computer, but explicitly send it to sleep. Finally, KDE Plasma 6.5 implements an experimental version of the Wayland Picture-in-Picture protocol. With its help, applications like Firefox should eventually be able to display videos permanently above all other windows.
KDE Plasma 6.5 can be tried out via Docker-Container or the distribution KDE Neon. Plasma 6.4 was released in June of this year and brought, for example, improvements in HDR display.
(dahe)
