A couple of Qt-based apps popular with Linux users, not just those running KDE Plasma, recently received some notable updates.
Rather than putting out a post for each, I figured I’d collate them in a single post to. Plus, they all kind of link1 (see the footnote).
By the way: if you’re a fan (or a developer) of Qt or KDE software, do let me know about any new features or updates using the tip form. I’m often asked why I didn’t cover the new release of X, Y, or Z – which assumes I knew it had been released.
Who knows, maybe this could become a regular feature!
Anyway, on the Qt app updates featuring in this roundup…
Haruna 1.2.0
Haruna is a cute (pun intended) media player I’ve written about before. I love the way it looks, the way it surfaces chapter markers in my MKV files, and the fact it offers a solid set of subtitle customisation options (I need a large font as I’m supposed to wear glasses).
The new Haruna 1.2.0 release introduces a floating bottom toolbar option. This auto-hides player controls and the progress bar (if you’ve tried Clapper or the recent release of Celluloid you should be familiar with this approach).
You can choose to have the bottom toolbar reappear when you mouse over any part of the main video area, or only when mousing over the lower part. And if you’re a fan of the fixed footer you needn’t fret as that traditional behaviour remains default.
Other changes in Haruna 1.2.0 include removing docbook and moving its content into tooltips (for yet-more mousing fun), and the ability to middle-click on the playlist to scroll to the currently playing item (saving you a bit of time).
Haruna is free, open-source software and you can get the latest release from Flathub. A (much) older build is available to install from the Ubuntu repos so search for it in App Center or run sudo apt install haruna from the command line.
Calligra 4.0
Calligra Office, the Qt-based productivity suite that succeeded KOffice, has completed its port to Qt 6 and KDE Frameworks 6, bagged a bunch of new features, and put out a new stable release for folks to get to grips with.
The suite is comprised of several apps, though a few follow their own release schedule. As such, Calligra 4.0 offers new versions of Calligra Words (the word processor), Sheets (the spreadsheets app), Stage (a presentation maker), and Karbon vector graphics editor.
Words, Sheets, and Stage all adopt a new sidebar design, streamlined toolbars, cleaner-looking Settings dialogs among some other minor visual tweaks.
A subtle shadow around the borders of documents in Words helps the textual canvas pop; Sheets moves the cell editor moved to a widget at the top to improve the usage of space; whilst Stage adds Wayland support to slide tooltips.
And when opening any of the Calligra apps directly (i.e., not opening a document) an improved ‘launcher page’ window sporting a redesigned layout and frameless design.
Calligra 4.0 is free, open-source software. Download source code for latest release from KDE website.
Kdenlive 24.08
Video editors will want to check out the latest update to the free video editor Kdenlive.
A brand new version is up on Flathub, albeit without any description of what’s new or improved, and there’s currently no announcement post on the Kdenlive blog — I’m flying a bit blind here!
Still, glancing at the list of merges to the Kdenlive 24.08 branch this update includes:
- New keyframe curve editor
- Redesigned effect parameter widgets
- New easing methods for fades
- Improved Transform effect
I’m sure there’s more I’ve missed, but even those picks make for a decent uplift to this popular non-linear video editor.
Kdenlive is free, open-source software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can get the latest release for Linux from Flathub, or download an AppImage, along with packages for other platforms, from the KDE server.
- Write a video script in Calligra, edit the video in Kdenlive, then watch it back in Haruna ↩︎