But 8051 vendors are slow in coming out with new exciting features
Over the last year (or is it two) Philips, for one, has introduced at least 25 new derivatives (the 89LPC, the 89V the 89c61x and more)

This may not be "new and exciting" for a hobbyist with some obscure application in mind, but they definitely address real world needs.

There seems to be a sentiment that if someone makes something "new and exciting" (with a PIC) it is irrelevent if there is a real world need for it. I can see the amateur being excited that he found a way to find the realtive distribution of horse manure, but that, while maybe "new and exciting", does not have any value in the real world.

I challenge the "new and exciting" posters to show (several - one swallow does not a summer make) "new and exciting" projects that has solved real world applications.

Erik