Without a doubt, the news of the week in the Linux world – and beyond – has been the combined release of KDE. on Wednesday they arrived Plasma 6.0, Frameworks 6.0, and KDE apps from February 2024, but they didn't do it alone. KDE is everywhere, also on mobiles, and moments later They spoke to us also Plasma Mobile 6. Logically, what is not used as much attracts less attention, but it is one of the best options when we want to use Linux on a mobile phone or tablet.
Although Phosh has done a good job, projects like Manjaro opted for Plasma on their mobile phones. That decision can be taken as a risky bet, and even more so when you have been testing it and seeing that it had things to improve, but it cannot be denied that KDE gives everything it has to offer the best possible product. And Plasma Mobile 6 was born as a result of that desire. ¿The most outstanding? Many things, but I am especially interested in the way docked.
Highlights of Plasma Mobile 6
Mode docked It's something they've introduced recently. Available as a quick setting, flipping the switch activates decorations and minimize/restore/close buttons, while also stopping forcing apps to be displayed in full screen. They don't explain it in their note, but this mode is the one that allows you to use a phone with Plasma Mobile 6 like computer.
If you are wondering how this is possible, it is simple: all Linux mobile operating systems are compatible with many desktop applications, such as GIMP or LibreOffice. The mode docked makes the experience is more like that of a desktop computer, with windows that can be moved wherever we please and drag and drop elements.
Among the rest of the new features, Plasma Mobile 6 includes things like:
- Customizable pages to place applications and widgets
Folders - Drag and drop customization.
- widgets.
- Application drawer that is pulled out by sliding up.
- KRunner search accessed by swiping down.
- Row-column flip for screen rotations.
- Customizable row and column count.
- Customizable page transitions.
- Import and export home screen layouts as files.
- New setup wizard on first start.
- Redesigned the authentication dialog.
- Improvements to the task switcher, vibrations, vibrator and settings, which have a new icon.
KDE Gear 24.02 Mobile
KDE for mobile also has applications necessary for this type of devices or that look good on them. For example, the photo app now has the same name (previously Koko, now with a new icon), and it is not something we find on desktop computers because it is not so necessary.
The application of clock It has been updated with features such as now pausing the playback of MPRIS sources when an alarm starts ringing and playing the content again when we dismiss it. Other updated applications have been Kasts (for podcasts) or the calculator, which now includes a settings page.
How to try Plasma Mobile 6
First of all, there is no way to try it without a Linux phone, or not if you are not a developer with some skill to achieve such a feat. If you have something like a PinePhone, the best thing will be have patience. Those using Manjaro will be updated relatively soon. If this is not a possibility, the other reliable one is postmarketOS and it has not released anything with Plasma Mobile 6 yet.
postmarketOS allows you to install it on a list that is available on your download page, among which we can mention several Samsung phones, many others from Xiaomi and even a group of Chromebooks (among which there is one from Samsung). It is possible to install it on the internal memory and also on a microSD, to be chosen during the installation process, so it may be the best option to try Plasma Mobile 6 without endangering the existing installation. But that will be when they release an update.
Images, content and more information: project blog.