The new version of KDE Gear 25.12 It is now available And it arrives as the latest stable batch of applications from the KDE project for the Plasma desktop and GNU/Linux distributions. This update focuses on refining the daily user experience, with changes across key tools such as the Dolphin file manager, the Kate advanced text editor, the Itinerary travel assistant, and the Photos image viewer, among others.
This release represents another step towards a more comfortable and consistent desktop environment. Most improvements are subtle.But they are noticeable in everyday life: managing files better, scheduling more smoothly, preparing trips with more information, and using apps on both desktop and mobile devices with more natural gestures.
KDE Gear 25.12 and the main new features in Dolphin, the file manager
The file manager Dolphin It is one of the biggest beneficiaries of KDE Gear 25.12. One of the most practical improvements affects the handling of temporary folders: when they are sent to the trash, they no longer end up in the main trash of the user's home folder, which prevents it from filling up with unnecessary content and makes it easier to keep the system more organized.
Another interesting change is the possibility of Hide files and folders directly from the context menuWith a simple right click, you can hide items that you want to keep accessible but out of sight, which is useful for configuration files, sensitive documents, or any content that you don't need to see constantly in the browser.
Kate: More information about Git and improved navigation
The advanced text editor KateGit, widely used by developers and system administrators, also receives several significant improvements. Integration with Git is strengthened, as the branch list now displays the most recent activityallowing you to identify at a glance which parts of the repository have changed and making it easier to choose the branch to work on.
At the level of navigation within files, Kate now allows go directly to a specific row and column from the Quick Open dialog box. This speeds up the review of large projects or the tracking of errors when working with precise references, which is common in software development teams.
Furthermore, when text is sent to the editor's integrated terminal, Kate incorporates support for the so-called bracketed pasteThis feature improves security and accuracy when pasting blocks of text or long commands, reducing the risk of instructions being executed incorrectly in the console, which is especially relevant for administrators and advanced users in GNU/Linux environments.
Itinerary: The smarter travel assistant
Application KDE ItineraryDesigned as a personal travel assistant, it also takes a functional leap in KDE Gear 25.12. The new version incorporates more data extractors for railway companies and eventsThis allows it to better recognize tickets, reservations, and entry tickets from different European operators, which is very useful for those who frequently travel between EU countries.
The route planning process is simplified, as Itinerary can automatically determine the location The user is the starting point. This makes planning a trip faster, especially when combining different modes of transport or making urban and regional journeys within Spain or the rest of Europe.
Among the more curious new features is the possibility of seeing the altitude directly on the mapThis is a feature that may be of interest to those who explore mountain areas or take more in-depth tourist trips. In addition, there's an integrated currency converter, designed to facilitate purchases abroad, from souvenirs for friends to everyday expenses during your stay.
Photos: cropping and modern gestures on desktop and mobile
The image viewer PhotosDesigned to work on both computers and mobile devices, it incorporates features that bring it closer to a basic editor. The most visible new feature is a new cropping tool which allows you to adjust the framing of photos without having to resort to more complex applications, something very practical for quick retouching.
Along with the cropping, Photos adopts more natural gestures For image handling, the user can zoom in and out with the classic pinch-to-zoom gesture, just like on mobile phones and tablets. Once the image is zoomed in, it can be dragged to easily review different areas, and swiping gestures are all it takes to move to the next photo in the gallery.
Konqueror and Falkon: improvements to web browsing in KDE Gear 25.12
Within the web browsing section, two browsers from the KDE ecosystem receive attention in KDE Gear 25.12. On the one hand, the veteran Konqueror It adds the ability to export pages to PDF with a much higher output qualitywhich is useful for archiving articles, technical documentation, or proof of online transactions.
On the other hand, FalkonKDE's modern browser includes a dedicated button for enable or disable ad blocker immediately. This feature gives users more control, allowing them to permit ads on specific websites, disable blocking for trusted sites, or re-enable it when they want to reduce data consumption and distractions while browsing.
NeoChat and KJournald: Improved communication and diagnostics in KDE Gear 25.12
In the field of messaging, the customer NeoChatThe application, based on the Matrix protocol, is also updated in this package. It now features a dedicated keyboard shortcuts settings pageThis makes it easier to discover and customize combinations to move more quickly between common conversations and actions.
NeoChat also adds support for Matrix extensionsExpanding the protocol's capabilities as it evolves, it also integrates a basic button for Jitsi meetings that indicates whether a meeting is in progress. This feature is useful for coordinating quick meetings between distributed teams, an increasingly common scenario in companies and open-source software communities.
Another tool that is receiving improvements is KJournald, geared towards the visualization and analysis of system logs. The most notable new feature is support for Load user drives directly into the KJournald BrowserThis helps to debug services and processes initiated by each user without needing to resort to external utilities.
Availability in GNU/Linux distributions
The collection of applications KDE Gear 25.12 It is distributed as a stable version and is designed for optimal integration with the Plasma 6 desktop environment, on desktop computers, laptops, and compatible mobile devices. The changes are being rolled out gradually to the stable repositories of major GNU/Linux distributions, such as Kubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora KDE, Debian, and their derivatives.
Users who use one of these systems must monitor updates in your package managers It's advisable to update regularly and apply the new version as soon as it's available, since, in addition to the featured features, the package includes a considerable number of minor bug fixes and small behavioral tweaks that improve overall stability. This is similar to what happened with KDE Gear 24.12.
KDE Gear 25.12 reinforces the role of the KDE ecosystem as a coherent and adaptable set of applications for both traditional desktop use and touch devices. Without introducing radical changesThe update focuses on refining basic functions and adding practical details that make file management, software development, travel planning, and consuming content on the web and federated networks like Matrix more convenient.
