This week we're checking out Brow6el, a Sixel-capable terminal browser that brings full graphics and mouse support to the command line. We also highlight keyRGB, a bloat-free GUI that brings RGB control to WootBooks, Clevo, and System76 Linux laptops. For hardware enthusiasts, Box64 now supports Steam and Proton on the LoongArch architecture, and the new Armbian Imager simplifies the setup for "NotRaspberryPi" single-board computers.
Get a bonus hour of LWDW plus video by supporting LWDW on a Patreon.
LWDW Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
Links Mentioned:
Brow6el: Codeberg | Hackaday Review
keyRGB: GitHub
Box64/Loongarch: Box86 Blog
Armbian Imager: Interfacing Linux
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
06:08 Warranty void-o-tron 9000
08:24 Brow6el terminal browser
16:32 Key RGB for Wootware laptops
23:59 Box64 Windows emulation on Loongarch CPUs
28:09 Upgrading your NotRaspberryPi™ with Armbian Imager
Pop!_OS 24.04 is out with the rust-powered COSMIC desktop! Building a Steam Machine with the Ryzen 9 HX370, securing Snaps with Snapscope, and a DIY cyberdeck with an ultrawide monitor.
Come say hi in Discord!
https://discord.gg/uQVckr5gEZ
Video and extended podcast:
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
12:59 Pop!_OS 24.04
19:21 Steam hOS: Homebrew Steam Machine II
28:27 Checking Snap security
32:42 Cyberdeck Pi goes ultra and WIDE
Story links:
COSMIC POP
https://blog.system76.com/post/pop-os-letter-from-our-founder
Homebrew Steam Machine
https://interfacinglinux.com/2025/12/15/steam-hos-picking-the-os-for-my-diy-steam-machine/
Popey Snapscope
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/12/snapscope-snap-security-vulnerability-checker
Ultrawide Pi
Firefox 146 scales in fractions, AMD revives an old chipset, Ubuntu is shipping ROCm, and a beefy ARM board for Framework 13" laptops.
Bonus show plus Video: https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
Come say hi in Discord! https://discord.gg/uQVckr5gEZ
Topic links
AMI & Canonical: https://canonical.com/blog/ubuntu-boot-in-uefi-announcement
AMD Chipsets: https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-reportedly-postpones-b650-chipset-discontinuation-amid-ddr5-price-spike
Firefox 146 scaling: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/12/firefox-146-release-linux-fractional-scaling-support
ARM Framework :
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
10:23 Ubuntu and AMI partnership
12:55 ROCm ships with Ubuntu
16:41 AMD revives B650 chipset
22:19 Firefox fractional scaling
26:43 Framework ARM laptop
This week we talk about KDE wanting to push Plasma 6.8 into Wayland only territory. We also look at the rough edges that will probably still poke users and how long X11 might hang on before it finally gets kicked out. Venn checked out the ZimaBlade 7700 DIY NAS kit with its swappable RAM and actual PCIe slot. There is a quick bit on Linux Kernel 6.18 and its updates for gaming storage and hardware. And for dessert the 1 GB Raspberry Pi 5 shows up as the cheaper option right as RAM prices decide to climb again.
Live recordings plus Video: https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
Come say hi in Discord! https://discord.gg/uQVckr5gEZ
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:38 Linus visits Linus Tech Tips
07:55 Exploding PC power supply adventure
18:18 KDE is going full-Wayland
26:51 ZimaBlade 7700 DIY NAS
33:24 Linux kernel 6.18
39:07 New 1GB RasPi 5 and price increases
Show Links
KDE Wayland announcement:
https://blogs.kde.org/2025/11/26/going-all-in-on-a-wayland-future/
ZimaBlade 7700 DIY NAS kit:
https://interfacinglinux.com/2025/12/01/zimablade-7700-diy-nas-kit/
Linux Kernel 6.18 overview:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/11/linux-kernel-6-18-new-features
1 GB Raspberry Pi 5 announcement:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/1gb-raspberry-pi-5-now-available-at-45-and-memory-driven-price-rises/
After almost a decade we finally have a dedicated Patreon and Discord! LibrePods bring full AirPod functionality to Linux, Ubuntu puts an extra L in long term support, and a slick open-source one handed keyboard that anyone can use.
LWDW is completely listener funded. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
Discord: https://discord.gg/uQVckr5gEZ
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:06 A turkey wedding
03:17 Sunsetting Linux Game Cast
08:37 Updates for LWDW: Discord and Patreon
14:24 Open-source one-handed keyboard with trackball
18:42 LibrePods: AirPod support for Linux and Android
23:50 Ubuntu LTS support hits 15 years!
31:02 Shameless plug for the LWDW Patreon and Discord
32:11 Game night with the TM2 Crew: Come play!
TOPICS
One-Handed Keyboard
https://blog.adafruit.com/2025/11/17/making-a-one-handed-keyboard-and-releasing-it-as-open-source-2/
LibrePods
https://github.com/kavishdevar/librepods
Ubuntu LTS 15yr edition
Huawei joins the Linux PC race, Orange Pi 6 hands-on, retro Pentium builds, and the OmniOne pocket PC revives the keyboard!
SUPPORT
Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
TipJar ► https://streamlabs.com/linwdw/tip
SOCIAL
Venn ► https://mast.interfacinglinux.com/@Venn
Jill ► https://mast.linuxgamecast.com/@Jill_linuxgirl
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
02:30 Quote-toots for Mastodon
04:14 Valve announces a new Steam Machine
06:63 Handheld retro Pentium PC
11:14 OmniOne mini PC with built-in keyboard
16:52 Huawei is getting into the Linux PC business
20:27 Hands-on with the 12-core Ornage Pi 6
This week we look at Amarok’s massive 3.3 update, Creative’s modular Sound Blaster reboot, Linux running in a web browser through WebAssembly, and the endlessly expandable Intel-powered LattePanda IOTA project board.
SUPPORT
Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/lwdw
TipJar ► https://streamlabs.com/linwdw/tip
SOCIAL
Venn ► https://mast.interfacinglinux.com/@Venn
Jill ► https://mast.linuxgamecast.com/@Jill_linuxgirl
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
07:30 Amarok goes QT6 and drops Phonon
11:56 Sound Blaster Re:Imagine runs Linux
18:57 Linux Kernel WASM booting in the browser
22:50 Thoughts on the x86 Panda IOTA SBC