The Fedora project has announced the availability of the Fedora Linux Workstation beta version 37. The beta version sports an updated version of the forthcoming GNOME 43 desktop, and support for Raspberry Pi.

Fedora 37 Beta Bug Squashing Opportunity

Fedora project leader Matthew Miller announced the availability of the beta in a Fedora Magazine blog post.

Miller said that the beta version was close to the final release expected in October 2022. The beta release gives developers a chance to see how the system will work in real use and to fix any last-minute bugs.

Fedora 37 beta download

Miller also stressed that any improvements to Fedora would ultimately benefit Linux as a whole:

If you take the time to download and try out the Beta, you can check and make sure the things that are important to you are working. Every bug you find and report doesn’t just help you, it improves the experience of millions of Fedora Linux users worldwide! Together, we can make Fedora rock-solid. We have a culture of coordinating new features and pushing fixes upstream as much as we can. Your feedback improves not only Fedora Linux, but the Linux ecosystem and free software as a whole.

Interested users can obtain the beta version from the Fedora download page.

What's New in Fedora 37?

The major change in Fedora 37 is an updated version of the GNOME desktop, itself a beta version in this release of the upcoming GNOME 43. The new version features an improved Nautilus file manager, improved support for web apps, a new system menu, and a new device security panel. The stable version of GNOME 43 is expected in September 2022.

Another major enhancement is official support for the Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer. The Raspberry Pi is already popular among hobbyists for its cheap price and the ability to be used as a controller for other devices. The main Linux distribution for the Raspberry Pi, Raspberry Pi OS, also received a recent update.

When Will Fedora 37 Arrive?

The Fedora project moves quickly, aiming at a six-monthly release schedule. The previous version, Fedora 36, was released in May 2022. Fedora 37 is scheduled for October 18, 2022.

Fedora is the developer-focused community counterpart of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and is upstream of RHEL, meaning that changes to Fedora will ultimately be incorporated into RHEL.

A Beta Version of a Linux Developer Favorite

With its commitment to newer versions of software, Fedora is a favorite of Linux developers, including Linus Torvalds himself. But it's not the only popular Linux version among programmers. Ubuntu commands a large user base among those who choose to run a Linux desktop. Users will want to compare the two and see which one is best for them.