Canonical launches Ubuntu Core 26

Canonical has released Ubuntu Core 26, a minimal, immutable Linux OS with up to 15 years of security maintenance targeting mission-critical and edge AI deployments. Key improvements include 50–90% smaller OTA updates (core base snaps drop from 16MB to 1.5MB), a new Chisel-based build system for precise, traceable dependency composition, and a 7% reduction in base image size. Security advances include TPM-sealed keys stored in LUKS2 headers, native OP-TEE/ARM TrustZone integration for hardware-rooted disk encryption, and Livepatch rebootless kernel patching now extended to ARM64. The release also expands Ubuntu Frame to support multiple graphical apps on a single display, integrates with the Canonical Observability Stack (Grafana, Loki, Prometheus), and introduces Snapcraft components for distributing optional resources like drivers and debug symbols. Ubuntu Core 26 is designed to help operators meet EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) requirements through software traceability, cryptographic verification, and modular accountability.