COSMIC to Arrive in June Release of Pop!_OS 21.04

With April in full swing, it’s time to preview the upcoming version of Pop!_OS! New features are lined up for the release like kids at a candy store. Among them is the tale…the legend…the ultimate customizer…the COSMIC desktop. To ensure the best taste, we’re slow-cooking COSMIC to deliver a *chef’s kiss* quality experience. As a result, Pop!_OS 21.04 will release in June.

WHAT IS COSMIC?

We’re providing a honed desktop user experience in Pop!_OS through our GNOME-based desktop environment: COSMIC. It’s a refined solution that makes the desktop easier to use, yet more powerful and efficient for our users through customization. The new designs are developed from extensive testing and user feedback since the Pop!_OS 20.04 release, and are currently being further refined in their testing phase.

As we finalize these new designs, read on for some preliminary info on a few of the major changes COSMIC brings to Pop!_OS.

Video shown is an animated mockup of our design prototypes. True screencasts will be shown leading up to the release of COSMIC in June.

Workspaces and Applications

We separated the Activities Overview into two distinct views: Workspaces and Applications. As before, the Workspaces view will allow you to view your open windows and workspaces, while the Applications view will open an application picker. The latter’s new dark background looks slick as a tuxedo and makes it easier to scan for your desired application.

During user testing, we found that even GNOME veterans have a tendency to pause in their task after opening the Activities Overview. The split views allow you to access the application picker in a single click, while the cleaner UI design prevents visual distraction.

The Super Key

In COSMIC, the Super key activates the launcher by default. Using the launcher, you can launch or switch applications, execute a command, and calculate an equation. It’s like your own personal mission control!

The change is based on common behavior we observed with GNOME, where users would press the Super key and type the name of an application to launch it. However, COSMIC users can also set the Super key to open the Workspaces or Applications view instead of the launcher if they prefer.

A Dock(?!?!?!?!?)

Over 56% of Pop!_OS users surveyed say they use Dash to Dock or Dash to Panel. We’ve seen the dock signal shine bright in the night sky, and we will answer the call with glorious triumph!

COSMIC brings the option to have a dock to the Settings in Pop!_OS. Users will be able to configure their dock to be on the right, left, or bottom of their screen; to stretch from edge to edge; and given the ability to auto-hide. Users will also have the ability to minimize windows to the dock. We’ll provide more details as we approach Pop!_OS 21.04’s June release.

Two Workflows: Mouse-driven and Keyboard-driven

System76 has always supported the ability to have ownership over your essential hardware and software tools. COSMIC gives users more control over their desktop by adding additional customization. This opens up the desktop to cater to two main workflows: Mouse-driven and Keyboard-driven.

MOUSE-DRIVEN

The popularity of mouse-driven workflow has long shaped the user experience, and set expectations for veteran users. COSMIC maintains longtime UI practices to keep Pop!_OS comfortable and familiar.

Mouse-driven users can take advantage of features like the dock, Minimize and Maximize buttons, and hot corners (opening the Workspaces view by flinging your cursor to a corner of your screen) to seamlessly transition to Pop!_OS while keeping their existing habits. These users likely use their cursor to navigate the desktop, rather than keyboard shortcuts.

KEYBOARD-DRIVEN

Keyboard-driven users prefer a more efficient, distraction-free experience. In COSMIC, the minimalist would eschew the dock in favor of additional space for application windows. Auto-tiling would set the stage for a keyboard-driven workflow, which relies heavily on shortcuts and the launcher to navigate the desktop as quickly as possible.

Enter the Test Chamber

Are you as excited for COSMIC as we are? Is your eager heart accelerating in rhythm? Your hands trembling with anticipation? The walls oozing green slime? No wait, they always do that. WELL. Do we have great news for you.

We’re searching for Windows and macOS users to experience COSMIC firsthand. (Sorry Pop!_OS users, but we already have a long list of participants for this phase!) Those interested in participating in a user study can contact our UX Architect at ux(at)system76.com. Check out the GitHub repo for COSMIC here for a peek behind the curtain!