A review of some features of the upcoming KDE 4.1, featuring Panel configuration, Gwenview, Marble, folder views and even Akonadi.

When Google released Google Gadgets for Linux many could see strong similarities to KDE 4 Plasma desktop shell widgets (Plasmoids). As it turns out developers of Google Gadgets are already working on integrating Google Gadgets with Plasma. This will enable Google Gadgets to run as native Plasmoids on the KDE 4 desktop.

You now have the chance to test out KDE 4.1 Beta 1 in Kubuntu and Ubuntu Hardy Heron. To top it off KDE 4 PIM packages that contain applications such as Kontact, KMail, KOrganizer, and Akregator are also included.

An interesting trend Ive noticed over the years is the thought process of how users install applications. Most of the time, a KDE user installing an application won't care what the application uses or what desktop it is designed for. They just simply install the application, use it, and get on with life.

I’m primarily a GNOME user, but I was interested and followed along with the development of KDE 4.0. It’s time to start testing again now the KDE 4.1 Beta 1 has been released.

The KDE Project is proud to announce the first beta release of KDE 4.1. Beta 1 is aimed at testers, community members and enthusiasts in order to identify bugs and regressions, so that 4.1 can fully replace KDE 3 for end users. KDE 4.1 beta 1 is available as binary packages for a wide range of platforms, and as source packages. KDE 4.1 is due for final release in July 2008. Highlights: Plasma grows up, Kontact returns, applications grow, refinement throughout the frameworks.

With the release of KDE 4.1 on the horizon, and initiatives such as Krush days, recent call for help with documentation, and the perennial need for localisation it is very useful for end users to be able to easily get their hands on up-to-date builds. KDE4Daily VM, a self-contained Qemu image with a Kubuntu 8.04 base, aims to provide such a service.

Chani Armitage has been hacking on ZUI for KDE 4.1. It ’s far from complete, but it’s at least becoming something you can actually use now. Keyboard shortcuts can be used to navigate it quickly and clicking an activity containment will make it the active one. She also added an option for removing activities.