Leaked PR1.2 RC briefly available for adventurous Nokia N900 users
While last month's PR1.2 SDK release already gave us a preview of what to expect from an upcoming Maemo 5 software update for the Nokia N900, a leaked version of the release candidate that made a brief appearance at talk.maemo.org (via Twitter) this morning gave some users the chance to experience and document (on video) the changes for themselves.
The download link was removed from the Maemo forums hours after it was shared, but the update is still floating around for those who can't wait for the official release, which some believe will become available as early as this Tuesday. But be careful. Although the new software delivers some nice improvements (e.g., rearrangeable program menu, redesigned virtual keyboard) and speeds up the MicroB and Firefox Mobile web browsers, the RC is said to be outdated and still a little buggy. Some users have gotten stuck in a reboot cycle, some say Conversations and various programs stopped working, and others report that downgrading to the previous firmware disables the cell radio.
So unless you can't bear knowing that some version of the PR1.2 RC is out there without using it yourself, my advice is to join me in the waiting room. The real update will be released when it's ready.
