MySQL has adopted a new release model -- Milestone Releases. In short, the goals of the new model for the MySQL Server are these:
- Deliver more frequent releases of the server with better predictability in terms of a release date
- Make new features and enhancements more quickly available
- Provide a model that encourages and rewards community contributions to the MySQL Server
Check out this article by Robin Schumacher, MySQL's Director of Product Management, to get more information.