In this article
We launched the Kinetic Panel back in 2022, and up until now, most features have been added through major updates. This approach sometimes meant that features were completed but had to wait for other features to be finalized before release. While this was unavoidable in some cases, such as with the significant UI reworks in Panel 3 and Panel 4, it has occasionally left features you could have been using just sitting there.
With Panel 5, we're making changes to our update process. Panel 5 will go live later today (10/08/24) with a smaller set of features. We'll then gradually add the remaining planned features in subsequent point updates, like 5.1, 5.2, and so on. This approach will allow us to get features to you faster without waiting for a major update.
What's Coming Today
The initial update to Panel 5 includes an improved plugin installer, mod installer, and a new modpack installer UI. All of this will be available to you later today.
What's Coming in 5.1
The next update for Panel 5 is scheduled for later this month and will introduce our new Schedule and Task UI. We'll announce what's coming in 5.2 at a later date.
Will There Be a Panel 6?
There wasn't originally supposed to be a Panel 5; we're here because Panel 4 became so large that we split the update. Everything coming in Panel 5 was initially planned for Panel 4. Panel 5 will be the last major update for now, but that doesn't mean we're slowing down or stopping updates. It simply means we'll release features as they're ready rather than waiting for a Panel 6.
Final Note
We have a lot planned for Panel 5, so expect to see more updates and changes from us in the coming months.
