Today, April 21, 2016, Softpedia has been informed by Ubuntu MATE project leader Martin Wimpress about the general availability of the Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) operating system.

After being in development for the past six months, Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS launches today as part of the Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) operating system, for desktop and Raspberry Pi 2 and 3 single-board computers. This is the first-ever LTS (Long Term Support) release of Ubuntu MATE, and it will receive software updates and security patches for a period of three years.

Prominent features of Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS include the MATE 1.12.1 desktop environment with multi-touch and natural scrolling for touchpads, better support for multi-monitor setups, improved session management, extended systemd support, a revamped Power applet that now displays information about model and vendor, and much more.

The Ubuntu MATE Welcome screen has received a total overhaul, and it now gives users access to Ubuntu MATE Software Boutique, which lets them install over 150 applications with a single click of a button, pre-installation documentation for newcomers, along with a very helpful assistant for post-install configuration and setup of the operating system.

“ Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS has not just been in development for 6 months. Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS has been in development for nearly 2 years. Since the project started in June 2014 this release, this our first official LTS, is what we've been working towards. This was the goal we had firmly in our sights every step of the way. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to Ubuntu MATE over the last 22 months. None of this would have been possible without the countless contributions from the amazing Ubuntu MATE community. I can't thank them all enough for what they've helped create. I only hope this release makes them all proud. - Martin Wimpress ”

Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS runs on Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3 SBCs

Also new in Ubuntu MATE, 16.04 LTS is an updated MATE Tweak utility, which has received new capabilities like the Mutiny panel layout that transforms your MATE desktop into a Unity lookalike one, as well as a new option that lets users enable keyboard LEDs on modern laptops and wireless keyboards.

Furthermore, there are now two new applets for the MATE desktop environment, namely MATE Dock and Topmenu, the Synapse graphical launcher has been added as well, and the Plank 0.11 dock-like application is included by default with a new theme for Ubuntu MATE. The support for braille displays and various languages has been improved as well.

Lastly, Ubuntu MATE 16.04 comes with built-in DVD and BluRay playback support, as well as support for running on the Raspberry Pi 2 and Raspberry Pi 3 single-board computers. Download Ubuntu MATE 16.04 LTS for 64-bit, 32-bit, and PPC (PowerPC) systems right now via our website. Please check the gallery below for a quick visual tour of the operating system.