System76 has released COSMIC Epoch 1.9.0 as a pre-release update for Pop!_OS, introducing two new applications: an on-screen keyboard (cosmic-osk) and an image viewer/markup tool (cosmic-viewer). This update also includes a new dependency, git-lfs, and numerous component refreshes, although the release notes on GitHub are still pending. The cosmic-osk enhances accessibility for touchscreens, while cosmic-viewer offers a variety of features for image handling and editing. COSMIC, which is built in Rust, aims to provide a fully independent desktop environment, having evolved from a heavily modified version of GNOME
System76 COSMIC Epoch 1.9.0 Pre-Release Brings On-Screen Keyboard and cosmic-viewer to Pop!_OS
System76 has published COSMIC Epoch 1.9.0, the latest point release for its Rust-based desktop that now ships as the default in Pop!_OS. The update focuses on two new first-class apps: a bundled on-screen keyboard called cosmic-osk and a native image viewer and markup tool called cosmic-viewer. It also adds git-lfs as a required dependency and refreshes dozens of underlying components, though GitHub marks it as a pre-release with pending notes. Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS users will get it through a normal system update, while other distros can track the tagged release on GitHub and community repos.
