I suspect these boards are being released in response to the rasberry pi, although I can't say for certain they're an appropriate replacement. Besides its not as if they're ending the old line of arduino boards, so if you don't like the new ones... just don't buy them :)
I'm sure you're right about the new boards being a response to the rpi. I just have mixed feelings about the possibility of competition between two open source hardware systems. Maybe it'll produce innovation, or maybe just duplication of effort.
"if you don't like the new ones... just don't buy them"
I didn't say I disliked them. Since I didn't make myself clear: I do wish them well.
