Linux Kernel 4.12 Could Launch on July 2 as Linus Torvalds Announces Last RC

Those wanting to always run the latest Linux kernel on their GNU/Linux distributions will be happy to learn that the Linux 4.12 series is almost here and could launch as soon as next week, on July 2, 2017.

In a mailing list announcement, Linus Torvalds informed the community about the availability of what it appears to be the last RC (Release Candidate) of Linux kernel 4.12, which he considers a fairly small patch that doesn't bring any huge surprises. Therefore, the final release of the Linux 4.12 kernel series could arrive next week.

"It's fairly small, and there were no huge surprises, so if nothing untoward happens this upcoming week, this will be the final RC," says Linus Torvalds. "But as usual, I reserve the right to just drag things ou...