January 2026 proved to be a fruitful month for Linux enthusiasts, with various applications receiving important updates. Noteworthy among them were releases for VLC, GIMP, Vivaldi, and VirtualBox, along with several other improvements across different software.
VLC has officially released version 3.0.23 after a period of uncertainty regarding its availability. A significant feature introduced is dark mode support for Linux and Windows, accessible via Settings > Interface. While the user interface won’t switch automatically on Linux, users can manually enable it. This update largely focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements as work continues toward the upcoming VLC 4.0. Users can download VLC 3.0.23 from the VLC website or through Flathub and the Canonical Snap Store.
Vivaldi’s major update, version 7.8, includes a new drag-and-drop feature for tab tiling, allowing users to create customized layouts effortlessly. Users can also open links directly into existing tiled layouts, surpassing the limitations found in Firefox and Chrome. Additionally, Vivaldi Mail has been enhanced to function across multiple browser windows, and a variety of bug fixes and security enhancements have been rolled into the update. Vivaldi can be downloaded from the Vivaldi website or the Snap Store.
The maintenance update for VirtualBox, version 7.2.6, brings Linux kernel 6.19 support among other improvements. This version resolves issues related to high CPU usage, enhances full-screen mode on multi-monitor setups, and accommodates older Red Hat guests. Furthermore, previously proprietary features have been integrated into the open-source package, eliminating the need for a separate Extension Pack for functionalities such as VM encryption. VirtualBox can be downloaded from the official website.
Shotcut has introduced GPU hardware decoding with its latest release, aimed at reducing CPU load during video editing. This feature is enabled by default across platforms and utilizes different technologies depending on the operating system. Other enhancements include improvements in proxy generation and new filter options. Users can download Shotcut from shotcut.org.
The music player Amarok released version 3.3.2, introducing improvements in how the collection browser works, fixing various integration issues, and improving podcast sorting. This version requires KDE Frameworks 6.5 and is available as a Flatpak from Flathub.
SuperFile, a terminal file manager, now supports previews for video and PDF files, enhancing user experience when searching for files. Users can configure which applications open specific file types, offering additional flexibility in file handling. The latest version can be found on GitHub.
GIMP received a maintenance update addressing significant issues related to lossless WebP exports and enhancing font loading speed. This update is likely the last before the stable release of GIMP 3.2. GIMP 3.0.8 is available for download from the GIMP website.
Additional releases in January included updates for Scribus, High Tide, and Pinta, mainly consisting of bug fixes. Users interested in the latest features should keep an eye on these applications.
This roundup highlights the continuous development within the Linux ecosystem, ensuring that users benefit from improved functionalities and features across their favorite applications.
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