EXIF / Metadata Update from Google SoC - When?

I am anxiously awaiting the new EXIF / IPTC module that was worked on in the 2007 Google SoC.

The ability to automatically store this critical metadata for each image in the database is crucial to my project.

When will it be a part of Gallery 2.x?

Is there anyway to help test this new module before it becomes official?

Thanks