Flatpack 1.16, the application sandboxing and distribution system for Linux, is finally available, bringing with it a wide set of improvements and new features that promise to make life easier for developers and end users of applications in Linux environments. This new version comes after two and a half years of work since the last big update, and is ready to be adopted by distributions and users looking to take advantage of its benefits.
Among the most notable new features of Flatpak 1.16 is the ability to list USB devices, opening the door to smoother integration with external hardware. In addition, it is now possible to use auto-completion for searches in KDE, a development that will undoubtedly be welcomed by users of this desktop environment. On the other hand, Flatpak can be compiled using Meson, leaving Autotools behind, a change that promises to simplify development.
Flatpak 1.16 technical updates in detail
One of the most interesting additions is the introduction of private Wayland sockets. Thanks to this, composers will be able to identify sandbox application connections as belonging to the protected environment. This advancement strengthens security while increasing the flexibility of the system in scenarios that require a higher degree of isolation.
Flatpak now also offers support for system calls modify_ldt under option --allow=multiarch, which is essential to execute 16-bit executables in certain versions of WINE. Additionally, Flatpak includes a new variable flatpak.pc for dependent projects such as GNOME Software, making it easier to detect compatibility with the libblatpak library.
Optimization and cleaning
In terms of maintenance, Flatpak 1.16 implements a cleanup system that automatically removes old temporary directories created by previous versions. Additionally, it introduces the command --device=input to access devices evdev on routes such as /dev/input.
Another notable novelty is the ability of terminal emulators to Show progress of Flatpak operationsThis seemingly small improvement greatly simplifies the user experience when dealing with installations, upgrades, and other intensive operations.
API and flexibility
The new API flatpak_transaction_add_rebase_and_uninstall() Facilitates end-of-life application management, allowing them to be replaced by their successors more reliably. Also, the configuration of additional languages ​​is simplified by taking them directly from the AccountsService service if they are configured there.
Regarding subsandboxes created by flatpak-portal, this release ensures that Environment variables are inherited correctly from the command flatpak run which started the original instance, resolving previous issues related to FLATPAK_GL_DRIVERS and other similar functions.
infrastructure improvements
Flatpak 1.16 also Optimizes management of obsolete drivers and references, automatically removing them. In addition, it now automatically updates the D-Bus configuration after installing or updating applications, ensuring that exported services are always available.
On the other hand, a new variable is introduced FLATPAK_DATA_DIR to customize the location of the Flatpak data directory, as well as additional variables such as FLATPAK_DOWNLOAD_TMPDIR y FLATPAK_TTY_PROGRESS, which make the use of the system more flexible in various environments.
Flatpak 1.16 Accessibility and Compatibility
The developers have added support for applications like WebKit to connect AT-SPI accessibility trees between subsandboxes and main processes. Additionally, the command flatpak run -vv now provides detailed debug messages, showing all the sandboxing parameters applicable.
Flatpak version 1.16 is available for download from the official project page on GitHubHowever, it is highly recommended that users update their versions through the official repositories of their GNU/Linux distributions to ensure a smooth installation.
Flatpak was already a must-have in the Linux ecosystem, and this release further strengthens its position as a leader in Sandboxing and application distributionWith these improvements, Flatpak 1.16 not only keeps up with current needs but also lays a solid foundation for future developments.