Canonical has announced the availability of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS as a beta. It’s “reasonably free” of showstopper image build or installer bugs and is representative of the features that will ship in the final release but you should still be on the lookout for issues and ideally report them to Canonical so they can be fixed.
The new beta images are available for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Desktop, Server, and Cloud as well as spins such as Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, UbuntuKylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, and Xubuntu. If you do decide to take the risk and install the beta, ensure you keep your system up to date, and by April 21st, your system will be like you have installed the final version of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS rather than the beta.
The upcoming Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is set to arrive with some significant improvements including Linux kernel 5.15, components from GNOME 41 and 42, plus a brand new logo that graces the boot screen. Those who install Ubuntu 22.04 LTS will be able to run it on their systems for five years until 2027 before needing to upgrade again.
For those of you running the current LTS, Ubuntu 20.04, you will be able to do an in-place upgrade to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS but probably not until July. This gives Canonical a few months to get real-world feedback and fix lingering bugs, ensuring a more stable experience for LTS users.