Budgie 10.9 refreshed Bluetooth device controls and began porting desktop components toward Wayland, but it was not a Wayland-running release: Budgie 10.9 remained an X11 desktop. The release also adopted budgie-session as its session manager.
What changed in Budgie 10.9?
Announced by Joshua Strobl for Buddies of Budgie on January 28, 2024, Budgie 10.9 introduced a redesigned Bluetooth applet, initial work toward Wayland support, and adoption of budgie-session. (Buddies of Budgie release announcement)
Bluetooth controls and services
The applet lets users connect to and disconnect paired devices, see battery indicators, and send files. It communicates directly with BlueZ and UPower over D-Bus rather than relying on the older gnome-bluetooth helper library. These changes improve the applet’s device controls; they do not mean the desktop itself has moved to Wayland.
Initial component porting
The first Wayland-oriented ports covered Show Desktop, TabSwitcher (the Alt+Tab window switcher), and Workspace. They used libxfce4windowing, which the release announcement says enables porting functionality for Wayland without negatively affecting X11 use. (Buddies of Budgie release announcement)
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Bluetooth 5.4 + Broad Compatibility - Provides Bluetooth 5.4 plus EDR technology and is backward compatible with Bluetooth V5.3/5.0/4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1.
- Faster Speed, Extended Range - Get up to 2x faster data transfer and 4x broader coverage compared to Bluetooth 4.0 — perfect for smooth audio streaming and stable connections.
- EDR and BLE Technology - This Bluetooth dongle is quipped with enhanced data rate and Bluetooth low energy, UB500 has greatly improved data transfer speed and operates at the optimal rate of power consumption
- Nano-Sized - A sleek, ultra-small design means you can insert the Nano Bluetooth receiver into any USB port and simply keep it there regardless of whether you are traveling or at home
- Plug & Play with Free Driver Support - Plug and play for Windows 8.1/10/11 (internet required). Supports Win7 (driver required and can be downloaded from website for free). Download the latest driver from TP-Link website to utilize Bluetooth 5.4
Session management
Budgie 10.9 adopted budgie-session, a soft fork of GNOME Session 44.x. It became a runtime dependency that packagers needed to provide for the release. (budgie-session project)
Does Budgie 10.9 support Wayland?
Not as a usable Wayland desktop session. The porting work in 10.9 was preparatory: the project’s 2024 retrospective says the components using libxfce4windowing were still running under X11 and had not been tested in a Wayland session at that stage. (Buddies of Budgie 2024 retrospective)
Rank #2
- INSTANT BLUETOOTH ACCESS: Bluetooth dongle adapter receiver for PCs converts non-Bluetooth devices into Bluetooth-capable with simple USB connection
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY: Supports Bluetooth 5.4 and is backwards compatible with Bluetooth 5.3/5.2/5.1/5.0/V4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1; ONLY works with Windows 8.1, 10, and 11
- MULTI-DEVICE CONNECTION: Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously; Not compatible with all other operation systems e.g. Mac, Linux, Chrome, Unix, Playstation(PS), Windows 7 and below; Nano bluetooth receiver can be plugged in via any standard USB port
- ENHANCED PERFORMANCE: EDR and BLE technology offers enhanced data rate/transfer speed and low energy consumption
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Not compatible with all other operation systems e.g. Mac, Linux, Chrome, Unix, Playstation(PS), Windows 7 and below; Disable any built-in Bluetooth of the device before use this product, refer to the user manual for detail
The project’s FAQ also states that Wayland support in Magpie was not utilized in Budgie 10.9. (Buddies of Budgie FAQ) The distinction matters: porting selected applets or utilities so they can work with Wayland is not the same as delivering a complete desktop session that runs on Wayland.
Is Budgie 10.9 still running on X11?
Yes. Budgie 10.9 should be understood as an X11 release with partial, early Wayland-oriented porting—not a Wayland-first release. Ubuntu Budgie 24.04 documentation likewise described its Budgie 10.9-era desktop as X11-based. (Ubuntu Budgie 24.04 release information)
Rank #3
- Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter: This bluetooth adapter for pc uses the latest upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 BR+EDR technology, greatly improves the stability of the connection data transfer speed, reduces the possibility of signal interruption and power consumption.
- Up to 5 Devices Sync Connected: UGREEN Bluetooth dongle for PC supports up to 5 different types of Bluetooth devices to be connected at the same time without interfering with each other, such as Bluetooth mouse/keyboard/mobile phone/headphones, etc. If Bluetooth audio devices of the same type (such as speakers/headphones) are connected, only one device can play music.
- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth adapter is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Win 7, Linux and MacOS System are NOT supported.
- Mini Size: An extremely compact Bluetooth stick that you can leave on your laptop or PC without removing it.The compact size does not interfere with other USB ports. Convenient to carry, no space occupation.
- What Can I do if the Bluetooth adapter can not work?: Ensure there are no other Bluetooth devices installed on the computer. If there are, disable all existing Bluetooth devices in "Device Manager", then insert the adapter and try again. (For detailed information please read the user manual)
Upstream later described Budgie 10.10 as its first migration from X11 to Wayland. That makes 10.9 a transitional step in the project’s direction, rather than the point at which users could switch to a supported Wayland session. (Buddies of Budgie 10.10 release announcement)
What changed after the initial 10.9 release?
Budgie 10.9.2 was released on June 22, 2024. It fixed issues affecting notifications, the workspace applet, and TabSwitcher while broader Wayland work continued toward 10.10. (Buddies of Budgie 10.9.2 release announcement)
Rank #4
- This Bluetooth adapter for PC utilizes the latest Bluetooth 6.0 EDR technology, delivering faster data transfer speeds, seamless high-quality audio/video streaming, and efficient large-file transfers.
- Up to 5 Devices Sync Connected: This Bluetooth dongle for PC supports up to 5 different types of Bluetooth devices to be connected at the same time without interfering with each other, such as Bluetooth mouse/keyboard/mobile phone/headphones, etc. Note: If Bluetooth audio devices of the same type (such as speakers/headphones) are connected, only one device can play music.
- Ultra-High Data Transfer Speeds: With Bluetooth 6.0 technology, this bluetooth dongle will bring us a faster speed experience. And Bluetooth 6.0 is backward compatible with Bluetooth5.4/5.3.
- EDR and BLE Technology - This Bluetooth dongle is equipped with enhanced data rate and Bluetooth low energy, it wil optimize energy.
- Plug and Play: The Bluetooth receiver is developed for Windows systems only and does not support other systems. No driver installation is required under Windows 11/10/8.1. NOTE: Linux and MacOS , Win 7 System are NOT supported.
For readers comparing the release series, the important distinction is the session model: 10.9 added selected portability groundwork while retaining X11, whereas upstream characterized 10.10 as the first X11-to-Wayland migration. Distribution documentation and packaging determine which release is available in a particular installation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do you need to use the Bluetooth applet?
The documented applet workflow relies on BlueZ and UPower. A desktop without built-in Bluetooth hardware may require a USB Bluetooth adapter, but that is a general hardware consideration, not a Budgie-specific recommendation. Before buying one, check that its chipset is supported by the Linux distribution and kernel you use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Bluetooth 5.4 dongle: Applies the latest Bluetooth 5.4+EDR technology, compatible with Bluetooth 5.3/5.2/4.2/4.2 LE/4.0/2.1+EDR, and supports Dual mode (BR/EDR+ Bluetooth Low Energy) to achieve low energy consumption and high speed. Quick response and better anti-interference.
- Plug & Play: USB wireless Bluetooth is not limited by network and location, no need to install drivers, just plug the USB wireless adapter into your computer, you can use it directly. You can use the Bluetooth function at any time. Greatly improve your work efficiency and save your time.
- Long Range Bluetooth Adapter: The USB Bluetooth 5.4 dongle uses Class 1 radio technology, equipped with extra long antenna, and the transmission range in the open area can reach 500ft/150m, Bluetooth connections are no longer affected by distance. Note: The actual transmission range will be affected by physical obstructions and wireless interference.
- Fast Transmission Rate: This upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 adapter features EDR technology and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) configuration up to 3Mbps, which greatly improves transmission rates and reduces the loss of transmission efficiency due to interference in the 2.4GHz band. Enables fast, no delay wireless data connections between your computer and Bluetooth devices.
- System Support: The upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 dongle has a wide range of applications. You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time using Bluetooth wireless. Such as Bluetooth speakers,keyboards,headsets,mice, and Bluetooth printers,etc. Only supports Windows 11/10/8.1, Not compatible with Mac OS, Linux,car stereo systems,XBOX,ps4 or TVs.
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