Linux 3.6-rc1 Kernel Released, Many New Features

The first release candidate of the Linux 3.6 kernel is now available and she's packing many changes.

Linus Torvalds notes in the 3.6-rc1 release announcement that the Linux 3.6 merge window only lasted twelve days and it's slightly smaller on changes than has been the case for recent Linux kernel cycles. Overall though, Torvalds seems quite happy about 3.6-rc1.

Among the new features to the Linux 3.6 kernel include:

- Merging the VFIO driver.

- EXT4 file-system updates.

- Ivy Bridge CPU Idle support from Intel plus a re-written TurboStat utility and other power management updates.

- EFI handover protocol support.

- Btrfs file-system updates.

- Various DRM graphics driver updates for Intel, Nouveau, and Radeon.

That's about all for the really exciting stuff. Being in the midst of summer, the Linux kernel is developing at a slightly slower pace than normal.