We were all a little confused yesterday when Microsoft Australia issued a statement claiming XPSP2 had gone into manufacturing. Some sites are claiming that the final build is 2178 which is false since 2179 was compiled on the 2nd of August. Hopefully whilst writing this 2180 will have compiled on the 3rd of August and if Microsoft are syncing build numbers between their Windows Update 5 (2181) and Windows XP SP2 then 2181 will compile today as RTM, otherwise 2180 will most likely be signed as RTM.
The dates for release are as follows:
4th August RTM (2180 or 2181)
5th August RTW (release to web) & MSDN Subscribers - Network Install
25th August Windows Update/Automatic Updates release
Microsoft informed premier support customers that their own customers will begin receiving XPSP2 by automatic updates on the 25th August.
Not long now :)
Update: 2179 screenshot below.