A $4000+ arranger to do the work of a $200 iPod?

I know for all the karaoke acts out there, mp3 playback would be handy, but why an 8-track? OK, OK, throw it in for $50 more than a G70 costs now, cool. But I think it just shows a lack of understanding about what ARRANGER players need and want.

Fran, you yourself have a LONG list of 'why did they change THAT?!" from the G1000. I just think this is one more example of Roland not having the slightest clue about what is and isn't important to arranger users. Add all this bullsh*t to the G-series AFTER they've got the OS and MIDI features right, but not as a SUBSTITUTE for it...