Raspbian OS Update (February 2020)

Learn about the update.

1. Released February 7, 2020 for all Pi boards.
2. First major update since Buster (Debian 10) launch.
3. Buster launched alongside Raspberry Pi 4.
4. Previous updates were mostly bug fixes.
5. This update brings significant new features.

Understand file manager changes.

1. Restored modified 'Places' view.
2. Now at top of browser in small panel.
3. Easier access to external drives and devices.
4. Combines directory browser with Places.
5. New 'New Folder' icon in taskbar.
6. Places view customizable in Preferences.

Learn about accessibility.

1. Desktop now compatible with Orca screen reader.
2. Reads window titles, menus, buttons using synthesized speech.
3. Install from Recommended Software → Universal Access.
4. Access settings with Insert + Spacebar or 'orca -s' in terminal.
5. Note: Some apps not yet compatible (Scratch, Sonic Pi, Thonny).
6. Chromium not yet compatible (version 80 will be).

Learn about coding tools.

1. Scratch: New Sense HAT blocks ('display stage', 'display sprite').
2. Scratch 3: Open project from command line (scratch3 filename.sb3).
3. Thonny: Performance improvements for debugging.
4. Thonny: Better performance with PyGame Zero.
5. Code the Classics games now in Recommended Software.
6. Games: Pong, Centipede, Bubble Bobble, Frogger, Sensible Soccer.

Understand new settings.

1. External audio device settings now in volume plugin.
2. Right-click volume icon for Input/Output Device Settings.
3. New Display tab in Raspberry Pi Configuration.
4. Can disable screen blanking timeout.
5. Pixel doubling reenabled for Pi 4.
6. Shortcuts updated: Ctrl-Alt-Del (shutdown), Ctrl-Shift-Esc (task manager).

Get the latest version.

1. Download from raspberrypi.com/software.
2. Runs on all Raspberry Pi models.
3. Options: Buster with desktop + recommended (2532 MB).
4. Buster with desktop (1138 MB).
5. Buster Lite (433 MB).