Zorin announced that the latest version of its user-friendly Linux distribution is now available and ready to take on Windows 10 migrations when that system goes out of support later this year.
“Zorin OS 17.3 is built to be the ideal replacement for Windows 10,”
the announcement post explains. “It gives these computers a new lease on life with a fast, user-friendly, and secure experience. Switch your PC to Zorin OS 17.3 today and avoid spending hundreds or thousands on a new computer.”
Key new features in this release include:
Tailored alternatives to popular Windows apps. As an alternative to side-loading Windows apps, Zorin OS 17.3 detects Windows app installers and automatically grabs the closest Linux alternative. “For example, when you launch the Windows installer for an app like Obsidian, Zorin OS displays a dialog that directs you to the app’s native Linux version in the Software store,” Zorin says. “It also suggests the closest native alternatives to other Windows-only apps, like the built-in Document Viewer instead of Adobe Acrobat Reader.”
Brave as the default web browser. Because of recent Mozilla policy changes, Zorin revisited its default web browser and chose Brave for its privacy, performance, compatibility, and reliability. In addition to all the protections provided by Brave natively, Zorin added custom default settings to improve the user experience, streamline its interface, and better integrate the browser with the Zorin OS desktop.
Zorin Connection. This feature integrates your Android smartphone with Zorin OS, so you can sync notifications, send files between both devices, see incoming phone calls and reply to text messages, control media playback across both devices, use the phone as a remote/pointer for presentations, send commands to your PC from the phone, and a lot more. The Zorin Connect mobile app has been updated with a new UI as well.
Touch improvements. Those using Zorin OS on a touch-capable computer will see enhancements throughout the system, including to the taskbar and the touch layout in Zorin Appearance.
Apps improvements. Many of the in-box apps have been updated in this release, and the OS supports the Flatpak, AppImage, and Snap package formats so you can always find the apps you need.
www.thurrott.com
