I've also got a sim free Note and mine updated 3 days ago. I too use Go Launcher as I think it's brilliant. I honestly haven't noticed much difference but it is definitely smoother on the transitions, and there's a few new options here and there. I have noticed a few times the device just stops when going back to the home screen then it redraws everything and it carries on. It's nothing I'm worried about as it's only happened three times and it only stops for a split second.

So overall 4.0.4 is working fine for now.

 

I think we've just got to live with this regarding go launcher until we get quad core phones. My desire hd did this too but the delay was a lot longer, and improved with the note, so hopefully it improves with future phones.

 

I've just done this latest update, and so far I've noticed that the clock in the top righthand corner is of a larger font, and the stock browser has been altered slightly, the buttons in the top corner are clearer, and the sub menu is of a different font, and shorter layout.

Can't see any differences just yet.

Otherwise I've still got the same problem as I did before - the screen stays on when the phone charges/gets a notification whilst charging...