# 329: Linux 6.18, New Valve Hardware, COSMIC 1.0, NixOS, LXQt, Raspberry Pi, & more Linux news

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-week-in-linux-66844/329-linux-6-18-new-valve-hardware-cosmic-1-0-nixos-lxqt-raspberry-pi-more-linux-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-week-in-linux-66844/329-linux-6-18-new-valve-hardware-cosmic-1-0-nixos-lxqt-raspberry-pi-more-linux-news.md
Podcast: [This Week in Linux](https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-week-in-linux-66844)
Published: 2025-12-22T00:15:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thisweekinlinux.fireside.fm/329
Audio file: https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/2389be04-5c79-485e-b1ca-3a5b2cebb006/c9aa33bb-607d-4f5c-8755-8da6045e26f4.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1634

## Resource

The Linux 6.18 LTS kernel arrives with significant performance enhancements and the removal of BcacheFS. This episode also covers the first stable release of the COSMIC desktop and hardware updates from Valve and Raspberry Pi.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Linux Kernel 6.18 is now an LTS release featuring improved memory management and Rust-based drivers
- Failure mode: BcacheFS has been officially removed from the Linux kernel tree as of version 6.18
- Practical takeaway: The COSMIC Desktop 1.0 stable release is now available, bringing a high-performance Rust-based environment to Pop!_OS
- Main idea: Valve is expanding its ecosystem with the announcement of the Steam Frame VR headset and new Steam Machine hardware
- Economic impact: Raspberry Pi prices are increasing across several models due to rising RAM market costs and supply constraints

## Topics

Linux Kernel, Open Source, COSMIC Desktop, Raspberry Pi, Valve Steam, NixOS, FreeBSD, Wayland, Firmware

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Linux Kernel 6.18 LTS: Details on the new stable LTS kernel, including memory management improvements and the removal of BcacheFS.
- 3:00 — Valve Hardware Announcements: News regarding the Steam Frame VR headset, Steam Controller, and new Steam Machine hardware.
- 9:00 — Framework Sponsors LVFS: Framework becomes the first OEM to provide official sponsorship for the Linux Vendor Firmware Service.
- 13:00 — COSMIC Desktop 1.0 & Pop!_OS: The first stable release of the Rust-based COSMIC desktop environment and its integration with Pop!_OS.
- 15:00 — LXQt 2.3 Release: Updates to the lightweight LXQt desktop, focusing on improved Wayland support and panel enhancements.
- 17:00 — Raspberry Pi Price Increases: Analysis of rising costs for Raspberry Pi models due to global RAM market volatility.
- 21:00 — NixOS 25.11 Updates: New features in NixOS, including expanded firewall configuration options and package updates.
- 25:00 — FreeBSD 15.0 Release: A look at the major milestone release of FreeBSD and its hardware driver improvements.

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## Transcript

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