yes, beta, and lot's of warnings, but already live: https://lnmainnet.gaben.win
One can see 5 or 6 larger hubs, where many nodes want to talk with, and if you move them to the side, you can see clearly, that there is a highly meshed net, without a single sign of centralization.

The question is, when is software ever ready 

A Beta version is already a huge step, and for Bitcoin, it's like saying "the best disruptive innovation in tech for 2018"
Surely a pain to work on by the way. Idoubt we will see it before this summer...

This said,on February 14 +700 nodes, today +900 nodes

The lightning network [1] is an implementation of hashed timelock contracts [2].
You can find a short description here: https://cointelegraph.com/explained/lightning-network-explained




The 'transaction speed' indirectly will be faster, yes.
Its basically like 0-conf transactions (Of course only within/between channels - Opening/closing channels is still a standard TX on the blockchain).




The transaction made on the LN will have negligible fees. The opening/closing of a channel still requires a normal TX fee.



[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_Network
[2] https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Hashed_Timelock_Contracts

there will never be a rollout day or a big, glitzy launch day.

it's being worked on by loads of different groups of people. because of that it's gonna sneak out in stages over time. the closest thing there'll be to a big launch is a series of individual launches by the services everyone knows and loves.

no guarantee when that's gonna happen.

Yes, the paradox of solutions not being implemented because the problem's gone away (albeit temporarily!). Even I only finally now moved to a native SegWit wallet just last week, putting it off for so long because no one saw the need for the hassle of migrating when fees have never been lower!

The way I understand it, most people will one day be able to just opt to open a LN channel without ever needing to know how it works - in time, like SegWit, all newcomers will simply be using SW wallets and making off-chain LN payments without ever realising that there are direct on-chain methods as well.

The Lightning network IS an implementation of hashed timelock contracts (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Hashed_Timelock_Contracts).
The preview release of RC 1.0 already happened 3 months ago (6.12.2017).

Zap - a wallet for LN - already is in beta: https://zap.jackmallers.com/
The LN already can be used/tested on the test- and main net. Its running on the mainnet for quite some time now.

It is still testing phase. If you want you can already open a LN channel and get used to it.
It is recommended to use LN on the testnet (funds may get lost, etc.. ) and not on the main net until all bugs are found and sorted out.

Current stats:
Mainnet: 993 Nodes - 1869 Channels (https://lnmainnet.gaben.win/)
Testnet: 1885 Nodes - 4822 Channels (https://explorer.acinq.co/#/)


bcash fellower are trying to FUD the hell out of BTC. You should not listen to them.
Those guys still believe increasing the blocksize to 8Mb was a 'scaling solution' 

On-chain scaling (like increasing blocksize) is and will forever be one of the worst attempts to solve the problem.
Don't get caught by scam/pump 'n dump coins like bcash.




I don't think core developer are directly involved into LN (correct me if i'm wrong).
Additionally i don't think you will be able to 'access' the LN from the core client.
The LN is a second-layer protocol which works 'on top of bitcoin'. There will be new wallets to be able to operate on the LN (e.g. zap: https://zap.jackmallers.com/).

No update of core is needed for LN to go 'live'. It doesn't change anything regarding BTC tech. Its just operating one layer above BTC.

For now, i think the priority is think about the adoption of the segwit address, because the change to segwit address is simple if we compare with the implementation of the lightning network, which needs the cration of hubs, a server 24h to monitore the contracts etc

I am aware.


I am also aware of Lightning on mainnet. But I was not aware of Zap beta. I follow Lightning Labs mostly, and they discourage any reckless behavior and some of the discourage the use of the Lightning Network with real Bitcoins. That is why they are not declaring anything as "beta" yet.