I saw their latest WS, usually the source (after a couple of years) of their arranger technology. A HUGE yawn, all around.

Now, MAYBE they've got a new arranger in the pipe, but I don't see it being released with technology that the WS line doesn't even have, yet.

You don't have to spill any secrets, but let me make a guess...

It will have audio recording. Maybe multi-track. (FantomX)
It will have some of those half-a$$ed SA wannabe sounds I heard on the Atelier.
It'll probably drop the useful SRX slots for the new ARX ones (that they only have two cards out for, yet). BAD MISTAKE.
It will drop all the GS sounds and make compatibility with older styles impossible (did that on the E80 already).
It will have MP3 playback, with tempo and pitch transpose. (Yawn)
It will play synced audio sliced rhythm parts (like the FantomX does).
It will be more expensive than the G70, but add NO real arranger features, just WS ports.
It will probably drop whatever is my favorite current feature (probably the FC-7 support)

Sound likely?

Maybe some of you DO want multi-track audio recording, MP3 playback, synced audio slices (although you can't load them fast enough for a request), etc.. Me, I've GOT two WSs already. And a DAW or two. I want an ARRANGER, not some hybrid WS/arranger. They never add the WS features that WOULD be useful to an arranger player... the arpeggiator and synth controls and contemporary soundset (still under arranger-like controls). They just add the recording bullsh*t that we've already got covered.

Roland.... PROVE ME WRONG!

Make the best arranger since the G1000. Forget ANYTHING to do with DAWs and WSs. G1000 needed none of that to be successful. It just was their best arranger OS for the arranger PLAYER.