<h1>Enhancements in COSMIC Desktop: Window Shadows and More</h1>
<p>The COSMIC desktop environment, known for its clean and efficient design, continues to undergo significant improvements under the guidance of System76. A notable advancement is the introduction of window shadows and consistent corner rounding across all applications, regardless of their toolkit—be it GTK, Qt, or Iced. Before this update, only GTK windows had shadows, which posed challenges in distinguishing focused windows. This enhancement not only refines the visual appeal but also improves functionality by making user interactions more intuitive.</p>
<p>This latest update, included in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS and soon available for other distributions, presents users with newfound control. They can now customize shadow and corner radius settings, offering flexibility in both floating and tiled modes, thus adapting the desktop’s look and feel to personal preferences.</p>
<p>Launched in December 2024 with the Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS, the Rust-based COSMIC desktop marked a substantial shift and commitment to delivering a robust and visually appealing interface. As part of these ongoing visual refinements, the COSMIC team is also working on incorporating blur effects for windows and panels, further enhancing the overall aesthetics of the COSMIC environment. System76’s continuous investment in the COSMIC desktop underscores its dedication to providing a high-quality user experience.</p>


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COSMIC desktop environment introduces window shadows and consistent corner rounding across all applications (GTK, Qt, Iced), addressing previous issues where only GTK windows had shadows. The update, included in Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS, allows users to customize shadow and corner radius settings in both floating and tiled modes. The Rust-based desktop launched in December 2024, with ongoing work on blur effects for windows and panels to further enhance visual aesthetics.