The New & Improved Features Of The Linux 4.19 Kernel

Storage / File-Systems:

- The EROFS file-system is added to the staging tree. This is a read-only file-system developed by Huawei for possible use in future Android mobile devices. EROFS is still missing an open-source user-space.

- Faster SMB3/CIFS performance.

- Low-level Btrfs improvements.

- Other routine file-system changes.

- F2FS discard is finally enabled by default.

- OverlayFS support for stack file operations and metadata-only copy-up.

Other Hardware:

- Initial support for 802.11ax wireless as well as initial Intel 802.11ax support in IWLWIFI.

- Creative Recon3D sound cards are finally supported along with other new sound hardware support.

- Support for the Nintendo Wii guitar and drum attachments to the Wiimote.

- ThinkPad calculator key support and more tablet touchscreens being supported.

- A Raspberry Pi voltage driver in mainline for supporting under-voltage situations and more.

Other Big Additions

- An in-kernel GPS subsystem was added to the kernel... Yes, only in 2018 is there a formal GPS/GNSS subsystem in the mainline kernel.

- ChromeOS EC CEC driver addition for HDMI CEC support with some Chromebooks. USB charging support was also added to the ChromeOS EC driver.

- Google's Gasket Driver Framework was merged - the Google ASIC Software, Kernel Extensions, and Tools. GASKET allows developing thin kernel drivers while shifting the rest of the driver logic to user-space code. GASKET is initially being used for the Google Apex chip.

- An idle injection framework and the never-ending work on Linux power management.

- The STACKLEAK GCC plug-in was merged for preventing some possible stack attacks on the kernel. This is based upon earlier work by PaX/GrSecurity.

- Continued Y2038 preparations and other work.

- Linux 4.19 now requires GCC 4.6 or newer for building with support from GCC 4.5 through GCC 3.2 finally being dropped.

Onwards now to begin benchmarking the Linux 4.19 kernel.