From the "I still prefer KDE, but still..." files:

The latest and greatest version of GNOME is now out adding a whole bunch of new application and improving the Linux desktop experience for its users - or does it?

Among the improvements in GNOME 2.24 that the GNOME foundation highlights on their new features page is the integration of a new instant messaging client - Telepathy. Frankly I don't know why they wouldn't just stick with Pidgin which is GTK+ based anyways. There is however an improved SIP based audio/video conferencing client (Ekiga 3.0), though again there are always other choices (like Skype).

Then there are some file management improvements (tabbed windows capability among them) and some new desktop theme and sound options. No none of it is terribly exciting but there is another component that likely is for alot of people.

GNOME 2.24 is the first release of the GNOME Mobile development platform. GNOME Mobile brings standard desktop components together to provide a core platform on which distributors and handheld manufacturers can build rich programming environments.

GNOME has become the defacto standard for many mobile Linux implementations, though Qt (core tech behind GNOME rival KDE) is still fighting a good fight there too.

No GNOME 2.24 is not the big shift that KDE 4.x represents but hey lots of people like and use GNOME (not me) and the continuous process of its evolution is a good thing overall.