I'm surprised to see this on HN. Linux kernel RCs are released weekly, there were 7 RCs of 3.6 before the final release. Is there something special in this one that I'm missing?
The release of -rc1 indicates the closure of the merge window for the next major kernel version, and this announcement thus indicates all the major new features that'll appear in the next kernel. -rcN for N!=1 doesn't typically draw as much interest.
This is just noise. Nobody should care about this release; it's just more commodity software with generic features. With some exceptions, kernels are no longer a key piece of the value chain.
I don't think the inclusion of arm64 and the multiplatform ARM code are devoid of value. In fact, I imagine the fact every Android smartphone in the world eventually being able to share the same 3.7 kernel binary is proof enough it's important.
