| The Linux Mint project has released some preliminary details on the next major release of the Ubuntu-based Linux Mint distribution, as well as the highly anticipated Debian-based LMDE 6 (Linux Mint Debian Edition) release. |
Recently, Clement Lefebvre, head of the Linux Mint project, gave the answer: the development of Linux Mint Debian Edition 6 has begun, code-named "Faye", which is expected to be based on the latest Debian GNU/Linux 12 "Bookworm" edition.
Sadly, no final release date for LMDE 6 has been set yet, but rest assured, if you're in a hurry to get it installed on your PC, you'll be the first to know when the public beta is available.
What is certain is that LMDE 6 will include all the new features and changes introduced in Linux Mint 21.2 "Victoria", but its base will be Debian rather than Ubuntu. This means that if LMDE 6 is based on Debian Bookworm, then it will ship with the long-term supported Linux 6.1 LTS kernel series.
In parallel with LMDE 6, the Linux Mint developers also plan to release an EDGE ISO of Linux Mint 21.2, which will feature the latest Linux 6.2 kernel instead of Victoria's Linux 5.15 LTS kernel. Conceivably, the new kernel stack will make installation on newer hardware smoother.
Clement-Lefevere also announced that the next major release of the Linux Mint 21 series, Linux Mint 21.3, is scheduled for Christmas 2023. That's no surprise, but it's interesting that the team promises some cool new features, improved support for Secure Boot, and hopefully initial Wayland support.
"We also wanted to take the time to look at the pros and cons of Wayland and assess the work required for its potential adoption," Clement-Lefebvre said in the monthly newsletter.
While Linux Mint 21.3 will still be based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish), Linux Mint developers are already paying attention to major changes in the next Ubuntu LTS release, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, due in April 2024, especially those related to Snap, and The same Snap-free experience is promised for Linux Mint users in future releases.