Canonical releases second point release for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Canonical, the company behind the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu, has announced the general availability of Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS. This is the second such point release since Ubuntu 18.04 was launched in April last year.

If you currently run Ubuntu 18.04 and want to use the new software, there’s no need to download the newly spun ISO images, instead just apply any available updates from the update manager. You shouldn’t notice anything different as these point releases are really just about bundling newer security patches so you don’t have to install them manually on a clean installation.

If you’ve tried Ubuntu 18.04 in the past but had issues with hardware, give this release another go. Ubuntu 18.04.2 includes hardware enablement stacks which support newer hardware. Explaining these stacks, Adam Conrad from Canonical, said:

“Like previous LTS series, 18.04.2 includes hardware enablement stacks for use on newer hardware. This support is offered on all architectures and is installed by default when using one of the desktop images.

Ubuntu Server defaults to installing the GA kernel; however, you may select the HWE kernel from the installer bootloader.”

According to Conrad, this update also adds the Raspberry Pi 3 as a supported image target for Ubuntu Server, joining the existing image for the Raspberry Pi 2. If Ubuntu isn’t your go-to spin, a point release has also been pushed for Kubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin, and Xubuntu. You can download the new Ubuntu ISO or the other derivative ISOs from their usual websites.