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COSMIC Epoch 1.6 Released With Per-App Volume Control, Remote Desktop Preparations

COSMIC Epoch 1.6, a Rust-based desktop environment, has been released with per-app volume control, remote desktop preparations, and other enhancements.

By Michael Larabel·Aug 19·phoronix.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

COSMIC Epoch 1.6 Released With Per-App Volume Control, Remote Desktop Preparations
Image: phoronix.com

The COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release includes support for the Wayland wl-dmabuf-v6 protocol, emulated input (EI) support for remote desktop capabilities, and per-app volume and output controls.

Why it matters

This release is significant for the open-source community as it brings improvements to the COSMIC desktop environment, which is part of the Pop!_OS Linux distribution.

Imagine you're using a computer, and you want to control the volume and output settings for each app you're using. That's what COSMIC Epoch 1.6 does - it lets you control the volume and output settings for each app, making it easier to use your computer. It's like having a personal assistant for your computer!

Analysis

COSMIC Epoch 1.6 Release Highlights

The COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release is a significant milestone for the open-source desktop environment led by System76. This release includes several key features and improvements that enhance the user experience. One of the notable features is the support for the Wayland wl-dmabuf-v6 protocol, which enables better performance and efficiency in the compositor. Additionally, the emulated input (EI) support is part of the COSMIC effort for remote desktop capabilities. Although remote desktop support is not yet available in this release, it is in the works for a future release.

Another important feature in this release is the per-app volume and output controls. This allows users to control the volume and output settings for individual applications, providing a more personalized and flexible user experience. The COSMIC Terminal also sees improvements with borders around split terminals, making it easier for users to navigate and manage their terminal sessions.

The COSMIC Edit has seen some optimizations, and the COSMIC Greeter now enables JPEG-XL and AVIF image format support. Furthermore, the COSMIC Greeter can detect logind presence at runtime, providing a more seamless user experience.

System76 CEO Carl Richell has shared a screenshot of v1.6 in action, showcasing the progress and evolution of this Rust desktop. The COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release is available for download via GitHub, and users can explore the new features and improvements in this release.

Impact on the Open-Source Community

The COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release is significant for the open-source community as it brings improvements to the COSMIC desktop environment. This release demonstrates the ongoing efforts of the System76 team to enhance the user experience and provide a more efficient and personalized desktop environment. The open-source nature of COSMIC allows for community contributions and feedback, which will continue to shape the development of this desktop environment.

Future Directions

The future direction of COSMIC is exciting, with ongoing efforts to improve remote desktop capabilities and enhance the user experience. The System76 team is committed to listening to community feedback and incorporating it into the development process. As the open-source community continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see how COSMIC adapts and improves to meet the needs of its users.

Key points

  • COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release includes support for the Wayland wl-dmabuf-v6 protocol
  • Emulated input (EI) support for remote desktop capabilities
  • Per-app volume and output controls
  • COSMIC Terminal improvements with borders around split terminals
  • COSMIC Edit optimizations
  • COSMIC Greeter enables JPEG-XL and AVIF image format support
The Upside

If the COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release is successful, it could lead to more users adopting the COSMIC desktop environment, which would drive further development and innovation in the open-source community. This could also lead to more collaboration between System76 and other open-source projects, resulting in even more exciting developments.

The Downside

However, if the COSMIC Epoch 1.6 release is not well-received by the community, it could lead to a lack of interest and adoption, which would hinder further development and innovation in the open-source community. This could also lead to a decrease in collaboration between System76 and other open-source projects, resulting in fewer exciting developments.

Originally reported at

phoronix.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsopen-sourcedesktop-environmentcosmicsystem76pop-osrustwaylandwl-dmabuf-v6emulated-inputremote-desktop

Author

Michael Larabel

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 19, 2026

Source

phoronix.com

Share

Topics

open-sourcedesktop-environmentcosmicsystem76pop-osrustwaylandwl-dmabuf-v6emulated-inputremote-desktop

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