Java 25 has reached its release candidate stage and is set for general availability on September 16, introducing 17 new features, including the end of support for 32-bit x86. Notable additions include flexible constructor bodies, a new cryptography API, and improvements for thread variables, while the release highlights Java's continued relevance despite competition from languages like JavaScript and Kotlin. Adoption of LTS versions remains cautious, with organizations typically sticking to longer-term support releases.