Ubuntu 26.10 gets Myna, opt-in local speech recognition on models that run on the device
Prepared by Sintelligent with the help of SI. Published in SI: . Updated: .
A Linux distribution has gained built-in local voice input on neural networks, for now as an optional feature.
Canonical has released Ubuntu 26.10 "Stonking Stingray". The company calls the first stage of its SI roadmap Myna, a speech recognition agent built on local models; according to Canonical, it runs on the device without sacrificing privacy. Myna is switched on by the user as an option, and Canonical plans to include it by default by the time of Ubuntu 28.04 LTS. The company describes Myna as a first step toward controlling the desktop by intent, for example by asking "Help me investigate why my tests are failing"; these are plans, not a finished capability. A Habr author doubts the idea of a universal neural network in place of a separate one for speech recognition and says it violates one of the Unix principles.
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