50D: I don't get it

I'm not ranting or anything, just a candid question.

If you look opinion of readers here on dpreview, people care about two things:

• AF

• noise

As per the preliminary reports here and there on the 50D, there seems to be no improvement on either of thess sides - only more MP for which nobody cares about.

Those my theories:
1 - are Canon folks stupid ? I don't think so

2 - are the crowds here not representatives of the market need ? why would that be, especially on a $1500 item I guess most buyers are educated

3 - is it technically possible to improve AF and noise at this price point ? maybe not

4 - is it possible to improve AF and noise which cannibalization of upper models ? maybe not

So 3 &4 seems the more likely to me. Thoughts ?