KDE Gear 25.04 It is now available and arrives as a major update for KDE ecosystem users, especially those using the Plasma desktop. This collection of applications, widely known and used in GNU/Linux environments, incorporates a series of new features and improvements in its April 2025 release, ranging from usability and accessibility adjustments to the integration of new features aimed at optimizing daily work.
The update affects both flagship applications and lesser-known but equally useful tools. This release focuses on user experience, productivity, and compatibility with the latest technological standards, consolidating KDE Gear as one of the most comprehensive solutions in the Linux world.
Dolphin's top new features
El Dolphin file manager has received numerous improvements aimed at facilitating navigation and accessibility. Those who use screen readers like Orca will now enjoy a smoother experience, as their integration has been improved. Also notable is the initial support for languages ​​with right-to-left writing, enabling a better experience for users of Hebrew, Arabic, and other similar languages.
Additionally, arrow key navigation has been optimized, allowing for more productive file selection with the Enter key. Among other tweaks, Dolphin introduces a new icon depicting a royal dolphin, the option to rename tabs, a more compact status bar, and a more organized layout of elements. All of these new features aim to make everyday work even more convenient and intuitive.
Advances in Konqueror, KRDC and KDE Connect
El Konqueror browser and file manager revamped its Save As dialog box, now able to remember the last location used for downloads, helping to maintain order and speed up file saving. Meanwhile, KRDC, the remote desktop application, expands its capabilities by allowing domain field authentication, support for the latest version of the FreeRDP protocol, and the ability to adjust the remote desktop to the window size, improving the display.
As for the KDE Connect, the tool that connects your mobile phone to your computer, has increased the speed of file transfers via Bluetooth. This makes communication between devices much more agile and efficient, something especially useful for those who regularly exchange files between their smartphone and desktop computer.
Productivity app improvements: KDevelop, Kate, and more
The development environment KDevelop introduces support for the Language Server Protocol (LSP), allowing for advanced features such as auto-completion and syntax highlighting for a wider variety of programming languages. Kate text editor adds language server support debputy, expanding its versatility in working with files and development projects.
These adaptations ensure that the KDE suite remains an attractive option not only for home users, but also for professionals and developers looking for efficiency and up-to-date support.
Applications focused on free time and personal organization
The KDE Gear suite does not neglect applications aimed at leisure and personal management. For example, the Merkuro calendar application Now allows you to configure multiple regions to display holidays, view them in the weekly and monthly views, and filter tasks to show only those due on that day. Additionally, multi-selection in the contact list has been improved, allowing simultaneous actions on multiple records.
El Arianna e-book reader offers a more agile reading experience thanks to its new rendering engine, and the Itinerary travel assistant app Expands support for international train tickets, Eastern European carriers, and adds options for managing health certificates, favorite locations, and travel statistics.
Other improvements spread throughout the suite
Among the rest of the applications, Okular It stands out for incorporating support for digital signatures based on PGP/GPG, improving security in the management and viewing of documents. KMail now allows checking the validity of unknown OpenPGP certificates, while KOrganizer integrates a new date selector to facilitate navigation through the calendar.
La Keysmith tool 2FA token generation adds the ability to import codes from QR and from the app andOTP. Furthermore, the KWave audio editing application improved playback performance, and Kdenlive adds support for importing and exporting projects using the standard OpenTimelineIO and completely revamps the audio waveform viewer. Improvements are also seen in other applications such as NeoChat (chat client), Elisa (music player) and Box (podcast client), each receiving new features to make them more practical and modern.
Focus on usability and accessibility
One of the main lines of development in KDE Gear 25.04 It's the improvement in accessibility and usability. Subtle changes are being seen, such as the adoption of more compact status bars, improved layout of interface elements, and adjustments that benefit those using assistive technologies, making the environment more inclusive and user-friendly for an increasingly diverse user community.
Updates to navigation and communication tools
The web browser Falkon introduces WebSockets connection blocking, providing added privacy and security for users. At the same time, Tokodon, the client for Mastodon, allows you to save drafts of posts (toots) and schedule their delivery, while NeoChat facilitates the management of rooms and links within the Matrix client itself.
New features in multimedia editing and management
Kdenlive, the reference video editor in KDE, stands out for its support for OpenTimelineIO, which facilitates interoperability with other editing programs. Additionally, the audio waveform view has been redesigned to offer a clearer and more precise visual experience when editing projects. In the music field, Elisa automatically starts playing files opened from other applications, and AudioTube allows you to view synchronized lyrics provided by LRCLIB.
Small improvements that make a difference
The KDE Gear 25.04 package stands out not only for its major new features, but also for a multitude of small changes that fine-tune details in everyday life. From the ability to choose between mobile or desktop mode in Box, to optimized management of connections and files across multiple applications.
These adjustments and minor bug fixes contribute to a more stable, faster, and more satisfying experience for all user profiles.
How to get KDE Gear 25.04
This version already It is being incorporated into the software repositories of some Linux distributions. who adopt the KDE Plasma desktop. Users are encouraged to stay tuned for system updates to quickly enjoy all the improvements and new features delivered in this April 2025 release.
Global look at the launch
The 25.04 release of the KDE Gear application suite reaffirms the project's commitment to continuous improvement, delivering tangible advances in accessibility, performance, and compatibility. With a wide range of tools optimized for both leisure and productivity, KDE Gear remains at the forefront, responding to the needs of a constantly growing and evolving user community.
