They can't include the hardware to support those extra features and be expected to sell it at the same price for those who choose to keep them locked. Once the hardware is built in the price goes up.
thats not true. the hardware is almost cost neglegable. ai is n ot a 200 dollar item in making its but a very few bucks. it does effect the advertizing on battery life though. the hardware costs are not the driving factor. 3 words small sexy and no frills are probably worth 100 dollars of hte price when it comes to convincing buyers they need it. it is what the consumer is willing to pay for it. AI and compass is probably 25 dollars of manufacturing costs. the firmware once made is no cost after so many units are sold. and no additional cost at all when it uses the same firmware as other platforms. firmware does not consume power the hardware does. I wonder how long the battery life is for this if it had compass and AI. 15 hours instead of 35. numbers like 15 hours is a detrement to sales numbers. what was teh preditor 40-60 hours with the ls450.