App swaps, updates, and upgrades

Zorin OS 17.3 Released with New Default Browser

by · omg! ubuntu · Join

The new Zorin OS 17.3 release is available to download and it includes a number of major changes – like a new default web browser.

Based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and Linux kernel 6.8, Zorin OS 17.3 offers “new features, strengthens your privacy, and enhances the entire user experience,” according to its developers.

For a closer look at those features, privacy changes, and UX enhancements, read on.

Zorin OS’s New Default Web Browser

Brave is the default browser in Zorin OS 17.3

Zorin OS 17.3 makes a huge change to its choice of default web browser, hitherto Mozilla Firefox.

But no more.

The distro cites Mozilla’s “recent policy changes” as motivation for making a switch, adding that it no longer feels like Firefox aligns with its preference for protecting its users’ privacy.

Looking to replace Firefox with something that is also open-source, fully-featured and capable of playing DRM web content, and actively maintained, but with a strong focus on privacy, it settled on Brave.

Zorin OS modifies the Brave web browser slightly, choosing to hide several of the browser’s features (e.g., Brave Wallet, Brave Rewards, Leo AI, Brave Talk, Brave News, Brave’s sponsored background images, etc) and adjusts its UI to integrate clearly.

Existing users who upgrade to Zorin OS 17.3 don’t need to worry about Firefox being uninstalled during the process as only those who do a fresh install of Zorin OS 17.3 get Brave.

However, existing users can choose to install Brave from the Software app.

Better Windows App Handling

Installing a Windows app? Zorin OS suggests native versions

With an eye on the upcoming Windows 10’s EOL date in October, Zorin OS 17.3 expands its Windows app handling—when users attempt to run a Windows installer in Zorin OS the distro recommends native Linux versions or alternatives—to cover more software.

For example, trying to open the Obsidian Windows installer in Zorin OS 17.3 will open the Software app to show the native Linux version. Where native analogs aren’t present, it suggests the the best native alternatives, such as Evince instead of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Of all of Zorin OS’s unique additions, its Windows app handling is one of the most interesting.

Zorin Connect App Updates

If you use an Android smartphone or tablet and Linux on your laptop or PC you might be familiar with KDE Connect and/or GSConnect. Zorin OS has long-included its own own fork of those tools (dubbed ‘Zorin Connect’).

For Zorin OS 17.3, the Zorin Connect mobile app has been updated with a “redesigned interface that adapts to your Android device’s theme” (i.e., Android’s new ‘Material You’ stuff) says the team, plus more options and a couple of new features.

The Remote input section of the Android app already let you use your phone’s touchscreen as a ‘mouse’ trackpad for your desktop. But in the latest update there’s a new ‘gyroscope mouse’ option that lets you use your phone’s gyroscope like this:

Kinda cool, right?

Other changes in the Zorin Connect app:

  • Share web links to disconnected computers to be opened later
  • Add different widgets for different computers
  • Send album art for playing media from phone to computer
  • Direct Share targets in Android share dialogs
  • Expaned filtering from a Work Profile
  • Search by app name in notification plugin settings
  • Option to cancel a pairing request after sending
  • Accessibility, bug fix & performance tweaks

Zorin Connect is free, open-source software and can be installed from the Google Play Store or from F-Droid on devices running Android 5.0 or later.

Other Changes

New option to add an OSK button to the taskbar

Using Zorin OS 17.3 on touchscreen devices (tablets or laptops) is made easier through a myriad of miscellaneous tweaks, including better interaction response on the taskbar, and an option to open the on-screen keyboard from a panel icon, instead of it automatically opening.

Enable that from Zorin Appearance > “Interface” and enable “Screen Keyboard Button in Panel”.

Zorin OS 17.3 also comes with updated apps and new hardware drivers, including NVIDIA 570 drivers baked into the ISO, allowing the distro to boot and run well on devices equipped with NVIDIA RTX 5000 series graphics cards.

Get Zorin OS 17.3

Existing users of Zorin OS 17 can upgrade to Zorin OS 17.3 through the Software Updater tool from today.

Those those looking to try Zorin OS can download Zorin OS from the distribution’s official website where it’s available in two editions:

  • Zorin OS 17.3 Pro is a paid download (~£47/$50), shipping with additional preinstalled software, appearance options, ‘premium’ desktop layouts, support access, and the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from supporting a project you like.
  • Zorin OS 17.3 Core is free to download and install, and comes with streamlined set of default apps, fewer bundled GNOME extensions offering eye candy extras (like wobbly windows), and no way to access ‘official’ support.

Previously purchased Zorin OS 17 Pro? You can download a new copy of of Zorin OS 17.3 Pro (to keep on hand or use to install the distro elsewhere) from the link included in the original purchase e-mail confirmation you were sent.

In all, a solid upgrade for this refined Ubuntu-based distro, and certain to appeal to Windows users looking to Linux for secure and capable computing come the Windows 10 EOL in October.