May 2026 SL Mobile User Group meeting summary

Posted on by Inara Pey
Campwich Forest grounds: location for the Monthly Mobile User Group (MMUG)
The following notes were taken from the Thursday, April 30th 2026 Monthly Mobile User Group (MMUG) meeting. These notes should not be taken as a full transcript of the meeting, which was largely held in Voice, but rather a summary of the key topics discussed.

The meeting was recorded by Pantera, and her video is embedded at the end of this summary – my thanks, as always to her in providing it.
Table of Contents

Meeting Purpose

  • The Mobile User Group provides a platform to share insights on recent mobile updates and upcoming features, and to receive feedback directly from users.
  • These meetings are conducted (as a rule):
    • The last Thursday of every month at 12:00 noon SLT.
    • In Voice and text.
    • At Campwich Forest.
  • Meetings are open to anyone with a concern / interest in the above topics, and form one of a series of regular / semi-regular User Group meetings conducted by Linden Lab.
  • Dates and times of all current meetings can be found on the Second Life Public Calendar, and descriptions of meetings are defined on the SL wiki.

Core Mobile Team

The following are core (but not necessarily the only) members of the Mobile App team:

  • Bridie Linden; project manager.
  • Radix Linden: Mobile engineering manager. A new Linden, he has a strong Unity development background and his initial focus at LL is ensuring that Mobile is a smooth, seamless experience.
  • Adam Sinewave: lead developer.
  • Beanie Linden: QA.
  • Brad Linden: developer.
  • Stray Linden: back-end infrastructure engineer.

Resources

Current Release

Second Life Mobile 2026.5.194024, May 24 (iOS and Android) – bug fixes.

  • Under-the-hood code clean-up to make the app even more robust and easier to maintain going forward.
  • Visible fixes:
    • Menus should now all be translated to either French or Portuguese if either language is selected via Settings.
    • Specific characters in Chinese / Japanese, etc., should all now display correctly in Bubble Chat.
    • An issue where sculpted objects could appear stretched across the entire view has been corrected.
    • Numerous bugs on microphone use and permissions have also all been addressed.
  • Crash rates:
    • Fixing crash rates is important bot for the user experience and because high crash rates can reduce the visibility of an App in the various on-line stores where it is offered.
    • As noted in the April update, crashes rates on the Android version of SL Mobile have been brought down to be well within them. Several of the crashes that were resolved were due to multi-threading issues (neither Android nor Unity are particularly good on the multi-threading front, but the SL Mobile app is very reliant on multi-threading for performance).
    • Similar work has been carried out through May to bring down the iOS crash rates.
    • There are also issues where putting the app into the background on iOS or swiping up can cause the app to crash. Most of these should have been addressed, but if iOS users are still experiencing them, bug reports are requested.
      • In respect of the above, if a users crashes, then re-logs into the app, they are able to include the log details on the crash when filing a report through the app.
    • There are some additional iOS crashes still to be addressed, but the hope is to get the iOS version down to a same low rates as the Android version.

Work in Progress

  • Work is in progress to offer a complete chat history across both Desktop and SL Mobile, rather than conversation histories being split between the two (or saved locally between different desktop viewers).
  •  Work is starting on adding the ability to purchase Linden Dollar bunches (as found on the iOS version of SL Mobile) to the Android version.
  • Changes are being made to notifications in SL Mobile, so users can activate push notifications more easily than at present.

General Q&A

  • There was a report that some new users on SL Mobile are being directed towards using Senra avatars, which should not be the case (they should be directed to the Avatar Picker) LL have not seen this, so checks will be made. A request was made that any new users found to be on Senra when joining through the app are encouraged to file a bug report.
  • The question was asked about setting a minimum draw distance in the app.
    • Draw distance on Mobile is heavily hardware-dependent. Therefore the Lab do default to a specific limit.
    • Currently, the app will use progress DD when loading a scene (16m, then 30m, then 40m).
    • If a longer DD has been selected via Settings, the app will attempt to step up to these when loading has finished, hardware capabilities allowing.
    • It should be remembered that for every 10 metres added to the draw distance, memory footprint and load time are essentially tripled.
    • Also, the greater the DD, the greater the risk of hitting application memory limits and causing a crash.
  • A suggestion was made for Mobile to offer a list of rendering items people can opt to disable / enable to help people on older mobile device hardware to better control what their device can / cannot render.
    • Some of this can already be achieved via advanced settings.
    • The device itself might also adjust rendering capabilities in accordance with its capabilities (e.g. how much is rendered, the overall quality, etc.).
  • PBR on mobile:
    • PBR requires triple the number of textures in order to be supported in Mobile – Mobile doesn’t currently even support “full” Blinn-Phong.
    • Recent work with textures does mean that overall, memory use has vastly improved, making PBR more of a possibility.
    • Work in better optimising mesh rendering in SL Mobile could also help with a move to support PBR, but this work has yet to be undertaken.
    • Even so, bridging the “PBR gap” between Mobile and Desktop is a subject of discussion within LL.

Date of Next Meeting

2026 week #22: SUG meeting summary

Posted on by Inara Pey
Sojourn Spring, March 2026 – blog post

The following notes were taken from the Tuesday, May 26th, 2026 Simulator User Group (SUG) meeting. These notes form a summary of the items discussed, and are not intended to be a full transcript. They were taken from the video recording by Pantera, embedded at the end of this summary – my thanks to Pantera for providing it.

Meeting Overview

  • The Simulator User Group (also referred to by its older name of Server User Group) exists to provide an opportunity for discussion about simulator technology, bugs, and feature ideas is held every other Tuesday at 12:00 noon, SLT (holidays, etc., allowing), per the Second Life Public Calendar.
  • The “SUG Leviathan Hour” meetings are held on the Tuesdays which do not have a formal SUG meeting, and are chaired by Leviathan Linden. They are more brainstorming / general discussion sessions.
  • Meetings are held in text in-world, at this location.

Simulator Deployments

  • No planned deployments for the week, just restarts.
  • Loganberry is moving forward, and is currently being reviewed by the Lab’s QA team. This should have:
    • The updates to deal with missing attachments on avatars / having perpetually cloudy avatars.
    • Workaround for mesh face_count mismatch between server and client (this will also require a viewer-side update to fully correct).
    • Harold Linden’s serialisation fixes to ease some region crossing issues.
    • Fix for llListen triggering multiple times.
    • A fix for script parcel permissions being calculated incorrectly and an old issue about rezzing on meshes.

In Brief

  • Rider Linden is working on:
    • A publishing pipeline for the VSCode plugin to make pushing updated versions to the marketplace easier.
    • Some proof of concept work on is the ability to “publish” objects that are rezzed in world and having them show up in the VSCode workspace as directories.
    • Working on some of the helper tables for a few of the APIs.
  • Leviathan Linden is working with resident WolfGang Senizen on improvements to the game_control capability:
    • A clean-up of the game-control UI.
    • Support for full binding of game control to any regular control, and vice versa.
    • Adding some semantics constants to the LSL game-control channel names (e.g. AXIS_FWD_BACK, AXIS_STRAFE, etc., instead of just AXIS_0 – AXIS_5, etc.).
    • Leviathan is also once again looking at the “avatar slides for a few seconds when standing next to a small obstacle” bug.
  • Harold Linden is hoping to make a new version of the Lua simulator code available in the next few days.
  • During the course of the meeting it was noted that LL likely will not have Lua grid-wide in time for SL23B, but it will be fully available “probably soon after”.

General Discussion

Please refer to the video below for  more on the following.

  • llGetRegionWorldMapTile was raised again, with a suggestion that it could be merged with Update Map Service to use ‘actual’ screenshots.
    • Rider Linden indicated that there have been internal discussions about how to make the former work with the asset system, but no actual coding has commenced as yet.
  • A discussion on Land Impact and the value of individual prims (see: 1 prim should be 1 Li – Even when it has a PBR), encompassing the different accounting system, how certain changes can impact the “cost” of rendering a prim, etc. The ran through the meeting from around 20 minutes in to the meeting and bubbles for around 20 minutes.
  • The issue of Random Regions Not Sending Full HTTP Headers was raised again.
    • This is an issue going back to at least 2008.
    • LL appear to have been under the impression it has been addressed.
    • A request was made for those experiencing the problem to raise a Canny report and include the relevant viewer logs.
    • This conversation was threaded in with the “prim” discussion above.
  • Add REZ_REMOTE_SCRIPT_ACCESS_PIN to llRezObjectWithParams is apparently on a “short list” for implementation.

Date of Next Meetings

  • Leviathan Linden: Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026.
  • Formal SUG meeting: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026.

† The header images included in these summaries are not intended to represent anything discussed at the meetings; they are simply here to avoid a repeated image of a rooftop of people every week. They are taken from my list of region visits, with a link to the post for those interested.

2026 SL viewer release summaries week #21

Posted on by Inara Pey
Logos representative only and should not be seen as an endorsement / preference / recommendation

Updates from the week through to Sunday, May 24th, 2026

This summary is generally published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:

  • It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy.
  • This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog.
  • By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.
  • Outside of the Official viewer, and as a rule, alpha / beta / nightly or release candidate viewer builds are not included; although on occasions, exceptions might be made.

Official LL Viewers

  • Default viewer  – One-Click Installer = 26.1.1.23806384790 – April 10 – No change.
  • Second Life Release Candidate (RC) viewer: Flat UI – 26.2.0.25386466510, May 14 -“flat” UI and font update – NEW.
  • Second Life Lua Editor Alpha viewer 6.1.0.23768336784, April 29 – No change.

LL Viewer Resources

Third-party Viewers

V7-style

  • Kirstens Viewer S24(7) Build 3400 (beta) – May 24 – release notes.
  • Kokua: 26.2.0.58527 (no RLV) and 26.2.0.62339 (RLV variants), May 24 – release notes.
  • Megaphit viewer version – 26.2.0.55049 – May 19 – changelog.

V1-style

  • No updates.

Mobile / Other Clients

  • Second Life Mobile 2026.5.194024, May  (iOS and Android) – bug fixes.

Additional TPV Resources

Related Links

2026 week #21: SL CCUG meeting summary

Posted on by Inara Pey
Hippotropolis Campsite: venue for CCUG meetings
The following notes were taken from:

  • My chat log and audio recording  of the Content Creation User Group (CCUG) meeting of Thursday, May 21st, 2026.
  • Please note that this is not a full transcript of either meeting but a summary of key topics.
Table of Contents

Meeting Purpose

  • The CCUG meeting is for discussion of work related to content creation in Second Life, including current and upcoming LL projects, and encompasses requests or comments from the community, together with related viewer development work.
    • This meeting is generally held on alternate Thursdays at Hippotropolis and is held in a mix of Voice and text chat.
  • Dates and times of meetings are recorded in the SL Public Calendar.

Official Viewer Status

Viewer Notes

  • 26.2.0 is now release, per the above. The code has also been merged into all viewers currently in development (such as the Lua Editor) with the exception of the Graphics Care Package (GCP) viewer.
  • Viewer 26.3.0 is the performance improvements viewer, intended to be the next release viewer and which is currently awaiting being issued as an alpha or RC viewer. This viewer:
    • Includes async inventory loading, which should further help with loading very large inventories; together with new texture streaming updates which should help those on SL minimum specification computers with constrained VRAM.
    • Is viewer is reported as providing good performance across a range of systems and scenarios.
  • As a part of the texture streaming updates mentioned above:
    • The viewer will not have: “a proper” texture quality setting (Low to Ultra) or the current LOD resolution drop-down.
    • The viewer will have a new texture resolution drop-down, which is more aggressive on its Low setting to optimise the use of VRAM on low-specification client systems; a Medium setting also doing more lower-resolution loading for textures at a distance from the camera (but high resolutions for those close-up); a High setting with resolutions slightly below their current levels; and an “Ultra” option that pretty much matches the current setting.
    • The viewer will also have a new (around 5 metre) “camera bubble” that follows the camera round and tries to load high resolution textures as best the client computer can manage
  • Lua Editor viewer:
    • There are “a lot of asterisks around” this viewer, both in terms of client-side work and server-side work.
    • This viewer may end up with numerous flags within it which can be toggled on / off depending on the status of server-side Lua support.
    • The availability of an official Linux remains tied to this viewer.
  • The Graphics Care Package Viewer (GCP) is effectively “on hold” as work continues on other viewers. However, when it does surface, it will likely include (but not necessarily be limited to) the following:
    • EEP post-processing settings, easing the work of setting-up EEP environments.
    • PBR specular support.
    • Updated and more performant Screen Space Reflections (SSR), including the ability to adjust SSR rendering to better suit the capabilities of the client computer (e.g. cranked right up on a very capable modern computer & GPU, or dialled down so it doesn’t choke older hardware).

General Discussions

  • It was asked if PBR (glTF) lighting is coming soon. Geenz noted that this requires server-side work, notably around the messaging service between the simulator and the viewer. Such work would need to be implemented before LL can fully commit to having largely glTF-compliant lighting. So, not in the immediate future.
  • A question was asked about artefacts occurring in varying levels when a gradient (slope) is applied in the construction of metallic materials, and whether anything was being done to correct this.
    • The question was related to gradients in normal maps, but was not total clear (i.e. was the gradient part of the normal map, or something added latter?). As such a canny report was requested on it.
    • There is a known issue with gradients on the diffuse map, and this is being addressed with the GCP viewer.
  • A request was made for PBR emissive map textures to load as the colour #000000 (up the receipt of the first discard level), as the current value – colour #808080 -, which  causes objects that use emissive to glow while they load – see this issue / Github).
    • Geenz Linden noted this could be so modified, but it would then cut across some of the texture loading work that has been going into the upcoming performance improvements viewer (26.3)
    • As such any change is unlikely to be implemented as a part of that viewer.
  • With the BonnieBots data collection system now banned from SL, a request was made for clarity on what is / is not permissible in gathering data from the grid, as there are a number of valid projects that require the use of specific data gathered from the grid via bots (e.g. in obtaining terrain heightmap data for use in producing 3D terrain maps). Geenz indicated:
    • He would try to get some clarity on this from senior management.
    • That including things like heightmap data into the map system is something the Lab is looking at, so as to make requesting this kind of data easier for those using it.
    • That additionally, LL is considering the use of things like object imposters and mesh proxies where applicable – but there is nothing solid to report on any of this at the moment.
  • It was asked if there are any further updates being planned for the avatar skeleton / avatar bones / blend shapes. Short answer: no; any work on the avatar / avatar skeleton would need to be relatively in-depth due to the risks of content breakage, etc., and so is something LL do not want to take on at present.
  • A question was asked about LL’s strategy for on-boarding and retaining new users. As previously noted in these summaries (and others), LL is not pursuing any single goal for this; there are several inter-related strategies (such as the one-click install on the viewer – making it easier to obtain; & the upcoming graphics improvements – which should make running SL a smoother, more predictable experience).
  • The subject of VR support was raised. The feedback from Geenz was that VR poses significant issues for SL, particularly in the area of being compelling enough to people already using VR headsets. For example:
    • Implementing a means by which people can simply put on a VR headset and look around SL or even move around with their avatar is not technically that complex. However, neither of these approaches would necessarily be compelling to people coming into SL who are familiar with using VR on other platforms.
    • By contrast, making SL interactive in a manner that is compelling to existing users of VR – e.g. being able to engage with, move, etc., in-world objects through hand  arm / body movements and to have things like full facial tracking and representation and having all of that packaged and streamed to everyone else in a region – is a considerably more complex task, potentially touching on multiple areas of the platform. As such it is not actually something LL is directly focused on.
  • The above led to a broader discussion at the end of the meeting on the Lab’s discontinued Puppetry project, its application in a possible VR project, together with alternate approaches, matters of IK, etc., all of which came down (again) to the view that providing a “good” and scalable VR solution in SL requires working on multiple moving parts / would have lengthy lead-times, and so is not something LL  wishes to commit to in the near-term  .

Next Meeting

Thus Yootz: abstractions in art and beauty in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Kondor Art Centre, May 2026 – Thus Yootz

It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of visiting an exhibition of art by Thus Yootz; and to be honest with things being what they have been of late, I likely came perilously close to missing this one, considering it originally opened some two months ago at the Kondor Arts Centre, curated and operated by Hermes Kondor!

Hauling from Greece, Thus studied for a BA and MA in art over 5 years at the Athens School of Fine Arts, studying under masters such as Christakis Tassos, and has enjoyed success down the years exhibiting her art in the physical world. In joining Second Life, Thus has – like many of us – tried her hands at numerous activities: region designer, content creator, photographer, wedding planner and artist, demonstrating her love of expression and creativity.

Kondor Art Centre, May 2026 – Thus Yootz

As one might expect given her qualifications and creativity, Thus’ art is richly diverse in its influences and presentation, something which guarantees those visiting her exhibitions will be well rewarded for doing so. With this exhibition – which so far as I could tell is untitled – this diversity of influence and style is much in evidence.

Spread across the lobby entrance and main floor of the gallery hall, the exhibition presents 16 large format pieces, the majority of which lean towards abstract, where colour and geometry rule more than form and reality. Even in images that carry recognisable elements – a boat, trees, buildings, and so on – there is something otherworldly in how they are presented; as if we are being lifted to a higher plane of existence  / awareness in which the familiar is made new.

Kondor Art Centre, May 2026 – Thus Yootz

Some of the pieces carry an interesting oriental lean, giving them an interesting cultural mix as they bring together hints of classical oriental life – lanterns, older buildings, painted calligraphy – but seen through a modernistic lens suggestive of computer lines, neon, and digital extraction. In doing so, they become a perfect representation of how one might imagine far eastern countries embrace both the modern and their long histories.

Thus, all of these pieces are dynamic, both it terms of their form and presentation and in what they say to us, from eliciting admiration for their sheer artistry and emotional content (Fury, Lavender Meadows and Japanese Red) through aforementioned cultural blending (perhaps most noticeably – but not limited to – Walking Down that Musical Road, Her World and Neon Melody), to even whispered commentary of the depth and beauty of nature (Explosive Flowers as it illustrates the intense beauty and colour of nature here on Earth in a manner that could be said to reflect the beauty of the cosmos around as seen via gas clouds and nebulae).

Kondor Art Centre, May 2026 – Thus Yootz

In all, another stunning selection of art – but do be sure to hop over to see it sooner rather than later. And my apologies to Thus for my tardiness in doing so myself!

SLurl Details

A visit to The Third Place in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Third Place, May 2026 – click any image for full size

I was somewhat intrigued by the Destination Guide entry for The Third Place; where many public places in Second Life tend to change seasonally or perhaps monthly (if they do opt to change), The Third Place offers something a little more frequent:

The Third Place is a vibrant region where you should wander around, take photos, explore virtual art, and chat. Every week, its works change, are refined, or disappear. Don’t miss out! It’s perfect for couples and artists. Come enjoy the beaches, caves, hidden treasures, and sunrises.

– The Third Place Destination Guide entry

The Third Place, May 2026

Weekly changes, even in term of any art elements within a region, is something that sounds interesting and curious – so off I hopped to have a look.

Obviously, a place that does undergo such frequent updates is perhaps a little hard to write about – what I see today, someone coming across this article in a couple of weeks time might find entirely absent from the setting. As such, I’ll endeavour to keep my observations more general.

The Third Place, May 2026

A Homestead region and the work of Kat (Kathylin Resident), The Third Place is a rugged island in which visitors are free to wander overground and underground, encountering art vignettes along the way, together with plenty of opportunities for  photography.

At the time of my visit, the Landing Point was located in the north-eastern lowlands of the region, on the edge of a wetland inlet itself abutting the off-region waters surrounding. The first of these art elements lay on the shoreline of these wetlands, whilst the main path rising from this to move inland. Passing through woodlands, it turns again to follow the coastline partly around the island and past some of the art installations awaiting discovery.

The Third Place, May 2026

The art installations themselves are spaced around the region, allowing each to stand independently one from the next. They come in different sizes, some large, others individual pieces. Some of these – again at least during the time of my visit – are located close to large empty frames which allow unique opportunities to photograph the art pieces themselves.

As well as the art, The Third Place offers places to sit and pass the time. Scattered across the island like the art, these help encourage visitors to wander and explore. Such explorations can be carried out on foot, following the footpaths and trails winding over the landscape or via horseback (you can wear / rez your own), or – if it is still available and you locate it – you can use the bubble ride rezzer.

The Third Place, May 2026

Per my note earlier, the island includes paths which pass underground via a connected series of tunnels which are worth the time taken to find your way into them and then exploring them fully. Above these, up on the mountain peak and reached via its own switchback path, further art can be found, again with opportunities for photography.

Rezzing in the region is open to visitors, allowing props to be used when taking pictures – but do make sure you collect your things afterwards. Rich in detail without feeling or looking overcrowded, The Third Place makes for an engaging visit.

The Third Place, May 2026

SLurl Details