(kafka) branch 4.1 updated: MINOR: update notable changes for 4.1.0 release (#21307)

[ch...@apache.org]

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chia7712 pushed a commit to branch 4.1
in repository https://gitbox.apache.org/repos/asf/kafka.git


The following commit(s) were added to refs/heads/4.1 by this push:
     new 240f330e764 MINOR: update notable changes for 4.1.0 release (#21307)
240f330e764 is described below

commit 240f330e7646c9b73855d8ca748cc0835aa8c655
Author: Matthias J. Sax <ma...@confluent.io>
AuthorDate: Sat Jan 17 09:22:42 2026 -0800

    MINOR: update notable changes for 4.1.0 release (#21307)
    
    We should highlight the most relevant feature, EA of KIP-1071. Removing
    KIP-1020 text as it's a minor change only.
    
    Reviewers: Lucas Brutschy <lb...@confluent.io>, Chia-Ping Tsai
     <ch...@gmail.com>
---
 docs/getting-started/upgrade.md | 5 ++++-
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/docs/getting-started/upgrade.md b/docs/getting-started/upgrade.md
index 729f41befa9..a5e52cbe834 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started/upgrade.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started/upgrade.md
@@ -55,7 +55,10 @@ type: docs
   * **Admin**
     * The `listConsumerGroups()` and `listConsumerGroups(ListConsumerGroupsOptions)` methods in `Admin` are deprecated, and will be removed in the next major version. Use `Admin.listGroups(ListGroupsOptions.forConsumerGroups())` instead. 
   * **Kafka Streams**
-    * The `window.size.ms` and `window.inner.serde.class` in `StreamsConfig` are deprecated. Use the corresponding string constants defined in `TimeWindowedSerializer`, `TimeWindowedDeserializer`, `SessionWindowedSerializer` and `SessionWindowedDeserializer` instead. 
+    * Early Access for the Streams rebalance protocol. Following KIP-848, [KIP-1071](https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/KAFKA/KIP-1071%3A+Streams+Rebalance+Protocol) adds broker side task assignment for Kafka Streams applications.
+      This feature is in Early Access, disabled by default, and not for production use-cases.
+      We encourage users to try out the new "streams" group feature in lower environments using "throw away" broker cluster,
+      and provide early feedback.