Last checked and updated on April 15, 2026What Is New in Ubuntu 19.10
| Category | Key Updates |
|---|---|
| Kernel & Hardware | Linux 5.3 kernel, GNOME 3.34, AMD Navi GPU support, Intel Icelake graphics |
| Software Updates | Python 3.7.5, OpenJDK 11, GCC 9.2, glibc 2.30, CUDA 10.2 |
| Cloud & Containers | Kubernetes 1.16.2, LXD 3.18, QEMU 4.0, libvirt 5.6 |
| New Packages | ZFS 0.8.2, WireGuard, Intel Microcode updates |
| Deprecations | Python 2 removed from default install, 32-bit PowerPC support ended |
What's the big deal with the Linux 5.3 kernel?
The Linux 5.3 kernel brings essential hardware enablement. This matters for developers because it adds support for newer AMD Navi GPUs and Intel Icelake graphics, which is crucial for graphics work and gaming.
It also includes the new pidfd_open() syscall, which improves how processes are managed. In practice, this makes container orchestration tools more robust when handling process signals.
How does GNOME 3.34 improve the desktop experience?
GNOME 3.34 delivers noticeable performance gains, especially in application startup times and smoother animations. This is a quality-of-life upgrade that makes the entire desktop feel more responsive.
The new 'Applications' folder feature lets you organize your app launcher by dragging icons on top of each other. It's a simple but effective way to reduce clutter without needing extensions.
What are the key developer toolchain updates?
The toolchain got a significant refresh. Python 3.7.5 is now the default, and Python 2 is no longer installed by default, which finally pushes developers to complete their Python 3 migration.
GCC 9.2 and glibc 2.30 bring the latest optimizations and security patches. For Java developers, OpenJDK 11 is the default JRE and JDK, aligning with the current long-term support version.
Is ZFS support any better in 19.10?
Yes, ZFS on Linux is updated to version 0.8.2. This release includes major performance improvements for raw sends and receives, which is a big deal for sysadmins managing large backup streams.
It also introduces native encryption, allowing you to encrypt datasets at rest. This is implemented differently from LUKS and is integrated directly into the ZFS command suite.
What's new for cloud and container deployments?
Kubernetes 1.16.2 is available from the repositories, bringing the latest API changes and stability fixes. For system containers, LXD 3.18 improves resource limits and snapshot management.
The underlying virtualization stack is also updated with QEMU 4.0 and libvirt 5.6. These versions provide better support for virtualizing modern hardware and improve overall management capabilities.
FAQ
Is Python 2 completely gone in Ubuntu 19.10?
Python 2 is removed from the default installation to encourage migration to Python 3. You can still install it manually from the universe repository with sudo apt install python2, but it is no longer maintained by the security team.
Does 19.10 include WireGuard support out of the box?
Yes, the WireGuard VPN tool is included as a DKMS module in the main repository. You can install it with sudo apt install wireguard to set up modern, secure VPN tunnels.
Can I upgrade to 19.10 from 18.04 LTS directly?
While technically possible, it's not recommended. The standard upgrade path is from 19.04 to 19.10. Upgrading from an LTS release like 18.04 to a non-LTS release can sometimes lead to unexpected issues.
What happened to 32-bit PowerPC support?
Ubuntu 19.10 (Eoan Ermine) drops support for the 32-bit PowerPC (powerpc) architecture. This only affects a very niche group of users with older Apple PowerMac or IBM hardware.
Is the Nvidia driver setup any easier?
The installation process remains the same, using ubuntu-drivers or the Additional Drivers tool. However, the included CUDA 10.2 version ensures better compatibility with the latest Nvidia hardware and compute workloads.