Building off yesterday's release of the [1]Linux 6.13 kernel , GNU Linux-libre 6.13 is out today as this downstream kernel from FSF LA that strips out code pertaining to the ability to load non-free drivers/microcode and other elements not deemed within the standards of the Free Software Foundation, even when it means removing/disabling hardware support and features.

For the GNU Linux-libre 6.13 kernel there's been more upstream driver changes they needed to deal with. Per this evening's [2]release announcement :

"This was a very active cycle, blob-wise.

*blinking red alert*

- six new drivers had blob requests that we've neutered: rtw8812a, rtw8821a, bmi270, aw88081, ntp8835, ntp8918;

- lots of new and updated devicetree (.dts) files mentioned new blobs that would otherwise be requested and loaded;

- new blobs or other adjustments had to be made to the following drivers: wilc1000, rt1320, sh4-siu, ivpu, btnxpuart, adreno, r8169, x86 touchscreen;

*colorful language omitted*

- cs35l56 documentation, that upstream added after rc7, had to be adjusted to remove recommendations about installing blobs, that would not be applicable to GNU Linux-libre;

- drivers for rtl8192e, rtl8712, vt6656, and ti-st were removed upstream, so we could drop the logic to clean them up."

They also put out their new kernel artwork for the GNU Linux-libre 6.13-gnu milestone:

The GNU Linux-libre 6.13-gnu kernel can be downloaded from [3]FSFLA.org .



[1] https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.13-Released

[2] https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2025-01/msg00011.html

[3] https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/#news