Features To Start Getting You Excited For Linux 4.4

While it's still likely to be a few weeks before the Linux 4.3 kernel is officially released, there's already changes building up for landing in the Linux 4.4 merge window. Here's a very early look at some of the new functionality to expect for Linux 4.4.

- Various Intel graphics enhancements mainly surrounding Skylake and Broxton graphics processors.

- Various Nouveau improvements such as improved re-clocking for certain GPUs, Nouveau TEGRA updates courtesy of NVIDIA, and some voltage control work.

- Several AMDGPU DRM updates that include enabling the GPU scheduler by default, new AtomBIOS opcodes, efficiency improvements in the CS checker for pre-SI GPUs, and more.

- More atomic mode-setting work as a theme that's been carried over for several release cycles now by DRM drivers.

- At long last, the Richacls support.

- Potentially we could see KDBUS mainlined as the new in-kernel IPC mechanism supported by the systemd crew.

- Another possibility is the Raspberry Pi KMS driver albeit lacking 3D acceleration.

This is just the tip with what I've been monitoring in recent weeks, mostly relating to Linux graphics, of course. Plus there will be a lot of other changes will become known in the weeks ahead as the -next code gets ready for the Linux 4.4 merge window. Stay tuned for more coverage! If you like all of our enthusiast-geared Linux desktop coverage, please consider subscribing to Phoronix Premium so I can continue investing more resources in providing the latest, most exciting coverage.