GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu strips blobs from Mali, amdgpu, Adreno, and more
GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu removes newly added firmware blob references from 15+ driver and subsystem areas in the upstream Linux 7.3 kernel.
Summary
GNU Linux-libre 7.3-gnu has been released as the free-software-only downstream of Linux 7.3. The project removed blob references from new and updated drivers including ARM Mali GPU, Qualcomm Adreno, AMD amdgpu, Intel iris video decoder, and several WiFi and sound subsystems. As with every cycle, the developers also published original artwork alongside the release.
What got cleaned up in 7.3-gnu
- New drivers deblobbed: Tyr Mali GPU, Morse Micro mm81x WiFi, NXP WiFi, Realtek PHY
- Existing drivers updated: nova-core, amdgpu, Adreno, Tegra, Intel iris video decoder, rtw89 and mt76 WiFi, qla2xxx SCSI, aw88399 sound codecs
- Documentation and firmware interfaces: remoteproc docs, Qualcomm Q6V5 PAS, assorted Qualcomm devicetree files
- The project uses its own "deblob-check" tooling to identify and remove proprietary firmware references automatically
Why it matters
GNU Linux-libre remains a niche but important option for users and distributions requiring strict free-software compliance, such as FSF-endorsed distros. Each upstream kernel release expands hardware support that the project must then audit and clean.
Original reference: www.phoronix.com →