Ephraim’s Weekly Review – Week 49, 2025
- A roundup of meaningful developments in the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) world during week 49, covering updates from Thunderbird, Linux Mint, and Jolla.
- Thunderbird developers unveiled their mobile roadmap for 2026, focusing on significant architectural improvements for the Android version.Much of the existing Android codebase is 15 years old, leading to...
- Beyond the UI changes, the roadmap also includes evaluating support for JMAP and Exchange protocols, as well as the potential integration of a calendar feature.
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FOSS Weekly: Thunderbird mobile Roadmap, Linux Mint 22.3 “Zara,” and Jolla’s New phone
Table of Contents
A roundup of meaningful developments in the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) world during week 49, covering updates from Thunderbird, Linux Mint, and Jolla.
Thunderbird Mobile Roadmap for 2026
Thunderbird developers unveiled their mobile roadmap for 2026, focusing on significant architectural improvements for the Android version.Much of the existing Android codebase is 15 years old, leading to instability and hindering further development. The plan includes transitioning away from Google’s Material UI to the in-house Bolt UI to ensure consistency across Thunderbird applications.
Beyond the UI changes, the roadmap also includes evaluating support for JMAP and Exchange protocols, as well as the potential integration of a calendar feature. For iOS, the focus will be on protocol support and exploring the feasibility of a calendar application. Detailed data is available in the official blog post and accompanying video.
Linux Mint 22.3 “Zara” Announced
The Linux Mint team announced the upcoming release of Linux mint 22.3, codenamed “Zara,” in their monthly blog post.This release promises a range of improvements,including a redesigned menu for the Cinnamon desktop environment,enhanced Wayland support,and two new system governance and information tools.
A beta version of Linux Mint 22.3 “Zara” is expected in the first half of December, with a potential final release before the end of the year.This timeline suggests a relatively quick turnaround for testing and refinement.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| New Menu (Cinnamon) | Redesigned menu for improved usability and aesthetics. |
| wayland Support | Enhanced support for the Wayland display server protocol. |
| System Tools | Two new tools for system administration and information gathering. |
Jolla Announces New Jolla Phone
Jollaboys Oy, the Finnish company behind Sailfish OS, has announced a new Jolla Phone available for pre-order. Proceeds from pre-orders will contribute to the continued development of Sailfish OS, an independent mobile operating system.
Sailfish OS aims to provide an alternative to Android and iOS, focusing on privacy, security, and user control. The new Jolla Phone represents a key step in the company’s efforts to expand the Sailfish OS ecosystem.