> Do you know whether this HEAD version could be used in production environments, unless no new api features are used? Is there any release plan for the final version?

It should be stable...

I was almost there at releasing the beta/RC, but did not have time to
check different environments and check whether Linux JNI code builds for
32-bit and 64-bit platforms. AFAIK, all test succeed on Windows.
Unfortunately it started to be stressy at my day job again, and so far I
cannot provide you any committment for the final version.

Check also the tracker, what tickets are open... if something is not
clear, please ask here.

Roman