New Raspberry Pi OS Update Brings Desktop Enhancements and NetworkManager Support

Raspberry Pi OS

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released a new version of their Debian-based Raspberry Pi OS for the small Raspberry Pi computers, which has included numerous improvements to the desktop, new applications, and bug fixes. The long-term Linux 5.15 LTS kernel series, which has been upgraded to Linux kernel 5.15.61, is still powered by a new main menu feature. This release features many smaller tweaks, but the headline features seem to be an improved Python camera interface, and a simplified ability to easily make a Raspberry Pi into a wireless access point.

The panel receives a new network plugin with NetworkManager, which is now run by default but disabled, and a new separate audio input plugin that includes microphone volume and input select, new keyboard shortcuts to open Wi-Fi and Bluetooth plugins, and new notifications that are displayed with a brief delay after startup and between one one.

The Piwiz first-run startup wizard allows you to select NetworkManager as your default software for network connections, as well as to disable root as a user name when creating an account. Moreover, the raspi-config command-line configuration tool now allows you to switch between dhcpcd and NetworkManager.