Since the launch of the Steam Deck and the ensuing flurry of gaming-focussed Linux distributions, CachyOS has become one of the more popular Linux distros for gamers, thanks to its performance-oriented kernel and Arch base, but that same Arch DNA has been a deterrent for many first-time Linux users. It seems as though the developers behind CachyOS are aiming to address some of that and make the distribution less intimidating, announcing a new CachyOS Package Installer 2.0.

The new Package Installer 2.0 moves away from the largely text-based Octopi and more modern Shelly. CachyOS Package Installer 2.0 will launch with support for the AUR and Flatpak, alongside the regular CachyOS repos, and it will have a fresh new UI with a layout similar to Bazaar, the app store commonly used in Bazzite. Unlike Bazaar, CachyOS Package Installer 2.0 will have support for themes, with nine themes in total available at launch. It will also seemingly support proper app previews and more user-friendly descriptions. Alongside the new package launcher, the official CachyOS account on X also announced that a new CachyOS release is coming soon.

Fedora Linux 45 has been under development for some time, with the distribution having been delayed twice, the latest delay due to blocker bugs resulting in a no-go decision by the development team as recently as last week. Now, following a recent developer meeting, Fedora 45 has officially been given the stamp of approval for a November 3 release date, according to the public meeting minutes.

Fedora 45 is a fairly tame update, coming from Fedora 44, although there are a number of notable updates to the included software and configuration, including an update to Gnome 51, support for new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series laptops, and the implementation of the new DRM Panic front-end. The KDE versions of Fedora will now also fully adopt the KDE Plasma Login Manager, and they will feature a unified KDE out-of-the-box experience. For a full run-down of new features and changes in Fedora 45, check the Fedora 45 beta changelogs. Following the launch of Fedora 45, we will likely see Fedora spins and Fedora-based distros, like Bazzite and Nobara Linux also release a major version update to match.