New Raspbian and New Out Of Box Software (NOOBS) released

A new Raspbian release, which integrates a number of recent improvements. Along with kernel and firmware updates, highlights include:

• Sonic Pi is preinstalled so you can jump right in to learning to program while creating your own music.
• Significant performance improvements to Scratch thanks to Tim Rowledge and Ben Avison.
• A build of PyPy 2.1 is now included to allow you to try out this high performance Python JIT compiler.
• Python libraries required for interfacing with Pi-Face are preinstalled. Once you enable the SPI kernel module in raspi-config you can leap right in.
• The Oracle JDK is preinstalled

Due to the addition of Java, the standalone SD card image now requires at least a 4GB SD card.

And also, NOOBS v1.3 has also been released. Highlights include:

• The ability to install multiple OSes on a single card.
• Support for network installation of OSes from our repository.
• Multiple “flavours” of Raspbian, including the ability to boot directly into Scratch.
• Improved integration of language, keyboard and display settings between NOOBS and guest operating systems.

Source: New Raspbian release, and NOOBS v1.3 goes gold

Download: New Out Of Box Software