On April 13, after the upstream Linux 7.0 kernel was officially released the night before, the downstream free software version GNU Linux-libre also launched the 7.0-gnu version kernel simultaneously. This branch continues to "deblob" the kernel, remove support for loading non-free software kernel modules, and prevent all loadable microcode and firmware. Even though this will significantly weaken the ability to support some hardware, its core goal is still to adhere to the principle of software freedom.
The maintainer has concentrated on the major changes in GNU Linux-libre 7.0. In terms of driver and kernel code cleaning, this version focuses on the IWLMLD driver and updates the debinary firmware rules for amdgpu, adreno, TI PRUeth, air_en8811h, ath12k, TI VPE, rtw8852b, rt1320, rt5575 SPI, tas2783, Intel catpt and other components. In addition, the project also cleaned up the device tree document files related to Airoha NPU, Qualcomm/Atheros Bluetooth and TI hms-m4fss, and also organized multiple dts files, in which the cleaning order of rt5514 was rearranged, but the actual cleaning content did not change.
Overall, this update continues the focus of previous work: display and network-related drivers are still the "hardest-hit areas" because these hardware often rely on loading external microcode or firmware when running. As more NPU devices enter the market and new drivers are continuously incorporated, the part of the kernel involving firmware binaries continues to increase. This requires GNU Linux-libre to review and clean up the relevant code again in each major version to ensure that the built kernel does not rely on non-free firmware at all.
Like previous versions, GNU Linux-libre 7.0 also comes with a new project artwork for the visual display and promotion of this version:
https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/#news
Users interested in trying it out or learning more can go to the project homepage at FSFLA.org for a download of GNU Linux-libre 7.0 and related instructions.