Enlightenment 0.28 desktop environment adds PipeWire and NetworkManager support

The Enlightenment desktop environment has released version 0.28, marking the first major update since version 0.27. This release focuses on modernizing the desktop's integration with core Linux subsystems, specifically targeting audio/video and networking.

Users will benefit from native PipeWire support and a newly implemented NetworkManager module. These changes aim to improve the desktop's ability to handle modern multimedia streams and complex network configurations including VPNs and Bluetooth.

New connectivity and multimedia features

• Audio/Video Subsystem: The release introduces official support for PipeWire, facilitating modern multimedia handling within the desktop environment.
• Network Management: A new module for NetworkManager has been added to manage Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth networking, and VPN connections.
• Network UI Features: The NetworkManager integration includes signal strength indicators, security status displays, connection details via tooltips, and management of saved connections.

Why it matters

By adopting PipeWire and NetworkManager, Enlightenment 0.28 aligns itself with the current standards used by major Linux distributions. This reduces the need for legacy audio servers and provides users with a more consistent networking experience across different hardware setups.