Immutable Linux distributions are here, and they are here to stay. They are different from traditional options, those that allow us to eliminate absolutely everything with a command because we are their god. Immutables are read-only, and so it's hard to break anything. There are several that stand out, such as BlendOS from the Ubuntu Unity developer or the Fedora Atomic Desktop, but one of the most liked is the protagonist of this article. And this week a version has arrived after a year of development, Vanilla OS 2.
The code name of this version is "Orchid", and it comes with many new features. Among them, the base, which now uses the Debian Sid. The Debian versions use names of characters from Toy Story, the stable versions of toys, and Sid, who breaks the toys, the unstable ones or testing. Therefore, Vanilla OS 2 has the Debian testing base, and the positive part or the reason why they have done it is to have more updated software.
Most notable new features of Vanilla OS 2 Orchid
- Linux 6.9.
- It has been completely rewritten using the Open Container Initiative.
- GNOME 46 with practically no customization of its own. Another way to say it is that it uses a pure version of the desktop.
- Debian Sid base. The previous one was Ubuntu, so the base right now is a mix of both.
- LVM for efficient use of disk space.
- PolKit for secure privileged operations.
- Improved support for atomic transactions.
- A method has been included to edit the settings.
- It is now possible to generate local images with extra packages.
- Possibility of regenerating initframs.
- Now supports installing DEB packages and Android applications (APK) with a sideloading application, also known as Sideload.
- The second part of the previous point would not make sense if it were not for the fact that they have added support for Android applications via Waydroid, and the included application store is F-Droid.
- Support for various package managers.
- Complete list of changes in notes from this release.
Users interested in trying Vanilla OS 2 can download the official image from the button below. But something must be explained: if what you want is to use it in a virtual machine, say that in those environments it does not work completely well, or at least support for Android cannot be tested. If you are looking to launch apps from Google's mobile operating system, you have to perform a real installation.