Ring 1.8 includes several new features and improvements such as better performance, new applications like Find in Files and String2Constant, more 3D samples, compiling on Manjaro Linux, updated libraries, and notes for extension creators. Key updates include 10-100% faster performance, a Find in Files application, a String2Constant tool to convert code to use constants, a StopWatch application, improved Form Designer, RingQt, and code generator for extensions. The release provides better compiler, virtual machine, and overall performance.