What is going on with Photoshop??? So many bugs in the latest 2 releases!

Hello,

FYI, Adobe often has to update major parts of its software portfolio due to the operating systems retiring technologies, such as, recently, OpenGL and OpenCL in favor of Metal for Apple and DirectX for Windows. Also, changes can be mandated by system APIs changes, or new behaviors, such as having to adapt how "Save as" operates on a Mac.

I don't think that there is change for the sake of change, but, when a technology matures enough to warrant deep changes, such as the median computing power of  modern GPUs warranting the update of how pixels are composited on screen in the GPU rather than in the CPU, or using native computing, it might be worth revisiting the code to give more performance to most users, and maybe to allow brand new tools or workflows to be developed.

But indeed, there's seldom such thing as easy and perfect transitions, and the Ps engineers usually provide fallback plans, such as the "Deactivate Native Canvas" in preferences, or in previous versions, Legacy compositing. Plus, there is also the possiblity to install an older version, or keep an old version when you install a newer one, especially on production equipment.

Also, if/when you encounter a bug, please post it in the relevant section of this forum, provide relevant information, such as your System info, found in Photoshop's help menu, and cases/files that trigger the problem, so that the Ps team can reproduce and reverse engineer why there is an issue. Remember as well to describe all the parameters that makes your system special, such as security software, system configuration that is unusual, etc. Make sure also to keep your system up to date when it comes to display drivers on a PC, or system updates on a Mac, after a "security" period, in case of bugs on the operating system.

I hate being stuck by issues, and I hope this helps you understand why there is sometimes deep changes undergone, that unfortunately affects users.

And voilá - I downgraded to version 21.1.2 and the issue with the CONSTANT seconds-long hangs (spinning beach ball) is gone. I can finally work swiftly again.

Surprisingly this doesn't seem to interest anyone or happen to many people. Ah well..

I absolutely agree with you. Adobe formerly made great software, now it's shame what they did to Photoshop. Bringing updates almost every two months means no time for proper beta testing, which is now burden transfered to all users.