In source code repositiories (as used by maemo.org), one can create independent source code branches. They are commonly used during software RELEASE, when a so called "stable" branch is created. On the stable branch one applies bugfixes but doesnt add new features...
It looks that this stable branch has been created so a release might be on the way. But I should point out that not whole maemo platform has been branched yet, but it was Friday late afternoon. Let's see on Monday.