As I said in an earlier post , entry level DSLR's should be viewed as a consumer electronics product, and as such we can expect every advanced feature to be added, until every man and his dog has got one (VTR parallel).
The majority of people buying will not be particularly interested in photography, to them it will be another gadget to add the collection. Few will ever need anything more than whatever kit lens is supplied.

To attract this type of buyer, the camera needs to appear modern, and have lots of flashy features, whether they are useful or not. Consider this, why not make the K100 Super available in a number of bright colours? Not for the purist, but widens the appeal to the cash rich, fashion concious younger generation.

I also mentioned in an earlier post about thinking more holistically. A savvy company should consider all parts of the value chain and market accordingly. This is about showing off images, shutter, apertures or focal lengths are of no interest.

Camera, Software, Printing, Display
Pentax, Adobe, Epson, Samsung

A holistic strategy would focus on alliances/partnerships and bundled packages, that provide non photographers with all that they need to create and display their images.

Success in the entry level market is vital, as it will fund the development of features, that members of this forum (as photographers) are asking for.

K10 Super - new features! Look at the reviews of the K10D in the photo mags for the clues, and look at it from the viewpoint of someone upgrading from a K100 Super.
Then if you are Pentax, consider what can be done without major redesign
and cost.
Processors and memory are cheaper than when the K10 was originally designed, so faster processing and a larger memory buffer are easy upgrades for no real cost. The K10 is as much computer as camera, so it is in that area that the upgrades are likely.
An improved kit lens, new flash, could be used as a sweeteners.

If you want to think more holistically Pentax could sign a bulk licensing deal with Adobe and offer Adobe software with their range of cameras.

K100 Super - Elements
K10 Super - Lightroom
K1 - CS3

Not likely though, my impression of Adobe is that they would rather sell a few copies at a high price, than open up the market.

K10 Super new features, probably not too much for current K10 owners to get excited about, development funds should go to the brand new model. My guess is that there will be a few tweaks with firmware, maybe better flash support and of course the auto pict modes.

If I am right the pricing will be about the same as the K10, which will be discounted and dissappear pretty quickly. The K10 Super will be the mid market segment offering, aimed at the so called advanced amatuers, with all the new high end stuff coming with the launch of the new model.

ME Super - K100 Super
Super A - K10 Super
LX - K1??

Personally I don't have a problem with this, I think the DSLR market is at a similar stage to the SLR market of the early 80's. The key difference is that DSLR's (at least entry models) will be viewed as consumer electronics. A key factor in the decision process for many will be how old is the model, since the perception will be that newer is better.
The K100 Super extends the life cycle of the original K100 and maintains Pentax presence in the market at an entry level, without the associated cost of a totally new model.
I expect the K10 will get a similar treatment later this year and at around the same time a really new model will be announced with a very high specification and corresponding price.
That would provide Pentax with 3 cameras aimed at 3 different market segments, that coupled with the new range of lens will firmly lay down the challenge to Canikon.

I too wish that Pentax would restart production of some of the FA range, but I guess the economics just don't stack up.

Mouse acceleration turned to max 102m just outside the Top 50, thousand that is.

68m for me, not sure if being a lefty helps or not

No review on Stan's, but if cost is a consideration then there is the SMCP FA 28 - 90mm, which was supplied as a kit lens on the later MZ series? I have seen them seliing on Ebay for £25 - 30.
Anyone with experience of this lens?

Some images can be found at
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/pentax/smc_pfa_28-90_35-56

Found 1 review at:
http://photosig.pcphotoreview.com/mfr/pentax/35mm-zoom/PRD_388187_3128crx.aspx#reviews

First let me say that I have no experience of this camera or problem, but have you considered that somehow the cameras 'firmware' might have become corrupted. The fact that the AF assist works in auto pic mode would seem to indicate that the circuitry is still functional.

Thanks for that George, I am off the the States in a couple of months, so I am watching K10D prices closely, waiting for the right time to buy. I don't feel the need to have the latest and greatest, so I am quite happy to wait, until the next model is announced and the discounting starts.

Did you catch the price that ABE's of Maine were charging for the camera + kit lends + SD card for $769 (approx £385)? Makes me think the new model is not too far away.