Monthly Updates: What to expect?

Sorry if this has already been explained elsewhere, but I haven't been able to find any official answers. 
 
I jumped onboard the annual subscription model (went from X3 Producer to Platinum) because I like the idea of getting new features throughout the year and having the ability to keep what I have if future updates no longer appeal to me.  Cakewalk has advertised that members will receive monthly updates, and thus far that has indeed been the case.  (New content for Platinum such as Vocalsync, AD2, etc. in January and the February Braintree release.)  However, the "up next for members" section has been touting the development of drum replacement, quick FX, onscreen keyboard and "a special surprise" ever since the launch of the new membership model.
 
Because none of the Braintree content was listed on the "up next for members" section, I get the impression that perhaps major software features will only show up on an annual basis, and that the monthly updates will be more about bug fixes, existing feature enhancements and some added presets, plug-ins, etc.
 
It's still worth it in my book, but after seeing the same content on the "up next for members" section for the past three months, I am a little disappointed that perhaps we're still going to have to wait a year for any significant enhancements like we did prior to the new pricing model.  I understand that we can't realistically expect Cakewalk to offer new mind-boggling features every single month, but given the way it was advertised, one would hope that we see some big developments at least a few times a year...
 
And yes, I do realize that the desirability of the new content is completely subjective.  While I wouldn't classify any of the new content in the Braintree release as "underwhelming", it's certainly not the sort of thing that would entice me to pay for an upgrade were that the case.  Vocalsync, AD2 Producer, expandable plugins/sends, etc. are what enticed me to jump from X3 to Platinum.  On the other hand, some folks probably like the Braintree stuff more than the "big" features that I liked from January's rollout, so there you go.
 
I guess the short version of my question is this: any idea if the Drum Replacer, etc. are going to be included in a monthly update relatively soon?  Or are those long-term enhancements that aren't likely to show up for another 6 to 12 months?
 
I know my questions will be answered in time as these monthly updates roll out, but if there's any official info about what type of content we can expect on a monthly basis (and why the "up next for members" section seems to be static), please enlighten me!

Ah we've finally found a use for the keyboard thingy for somebody..
As far a timescales is concerned no information (nor are you likely to have until very near or on release), the next update is under a week away I think?

Nobody knows what is coming up next.  I get the feeling that Cake is giving the bakers etc. some leeway.  Craig and his stompbox fetishes, the extra impulses and presets for Rematrix solo, etc. So if a baker has an interest, they can indulge it.
 
There are also features Cake has promised, like the keyboard and drum replacement.  I expect these to be doled out over the year.  The implicit promise is these are part of your purchase, not next year's.  That ain't to say they might drop a "promised" feature if it gets too hard to implement.  Cake might find they can either do the drum replacement or everything else because of extensive rewriting.  I'm not a coder, but I do know that once you open a can it can be full of worms. 
 
There is no reason to suspect Cake is trying to pull a fast one on you and entice you with their product and future promises they have no intention of fulfilling.  That is basic economics, since hell has no fury like a customer who feels they have been lied to.  I don't know why so many young people are so distrusting.  Cakewalk has been selling software for almost as long as I've been recording music, which is longer than I care to say.  They didn't survive by pissing off most of their customers, or a plurality.  Few companies do and none prosper by throwing their customers belly down onto a mattress.  Most companies and the people who comprise them are looking out for their interests by looking out for their customer's interest.  They don't always succeed, but lord they try.  I know I do in my own business dealings, and wouldn't bother to stop and pee on a company or person if they were fire if they had lied to me - as some have.  That is a much better solution to bad business practice than worrying instead that everyone is out to get you so you never buy anything.
 
@

I certainly don't feel like Cakewalk is pulling a fast one or that I'm getting swindled in any way whatsoever.  Had they NOT gone with the membership plan and instead gone with Sonar X4 Professional including Vocalsync, etc. I would've upgraded to the newest version anyway.
 
I just found it strange when they listed the new content that was "up next" for members, then the Braintree release came out that didn't include any of those listed features.  I'm not a programmer either, but I certainly understand that implementing a new software feature that interacts with the guts of the program requires a lot of coding and testing, whereas adding impulse responses or ProChannel presets is a fairly straight-forward process of adding new content to existing features already "hard-wired" into the program.
 
So I completely understand that Cakewalk isn't likely to add significant software changes each and every month, but when they state that members receive monthly updates and the drum replacer etc. were listed as "up next", they did give the impression that our February update would've included those specific items.
 
So it would seem that the "up next for members" section is detailing significant software changes that are currently in development, but not necessarily features that are really "up next".  I think confusion could've been avoided if they simply would've said that a few major changes would be incorporated each year, but each month will provide a little something new to members.  (Hell, maybe that IS stated somewhere and I just missed it.)
 
But again, it's not like I think Cakewalk is pulling a scam or being dishonest.  I've tried other DAWs and while there are some things Cakewalk could do better, in my opinion it's the best DAW out there by a long shot, at least when it comes to composing/creating music.  Pro Tools has an advantage in regards to comprehensive mixing features, but many of those can be replicated to a degree within Sonar.  But when it comes to the usability of the interface and all of the plugins and instruments that are bundled with Sonar, Cakewalk is definitely dedicated to providing musicians with as many tools as possible to create music from start to finish, AND they also give you one hell of a bang for your buck.  I can only image what PT would cost if they included as many plugins and instruments as Sonar has!
 
So I'm not upset with Cakewalk or feel like I've been ripped off.  I was simply trying to ascertain what to expect with the monthly updates.  Again, I'll find out in due time once more updates roll out.

strekfus,
 
I wasn't so much responding to you but to some here and elsewhere.  Your attitude was more wondering and a proper carefulness.  My post was more of general thoughts on others who seemed the world is agin them.  Esp. with the Subscription model etc. of Cakewalk's released, we had a lot of paranoids here.  I'd hate to go through life thinking everyone is out to get me.  Most people aren't out to get you - they don't care.  The great truth is that if something seems to good to be true, it is.
 
@

my prediction is that we can expect its code name to begin with the letter C.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Anderton
Here I think it's important to consider what you get over the course of a year. Maybe you don't have a need for bass loops, or maybe like Grem, you'll check them out and find them useful...or maybe you'll find them useful six months from now. But after a year, when you have a lot of content to choose from, I think the odds that some of it will be very useful to any individual musician increases dramatically. [...]

I'm on the annual plan (because I want to own/keep the software right away) and usually not so much after the added content ...
 
BUT ... if you are involved in producing a variety of projects in different genres, the collection of this "free" content comes in really handy when you have someone sitting in your studio voicing another "unusual" idea and you can go and quickly find something suitable ... no matter if it is X-mas bells or public enemy style bass sounds ...
 

Anderton
[...] in the early days of a new release, fixes and workflow enhancements tend to be a priority.

 
That's music in my ears :)
 

Anderton
I'm writing up the eZine for the second release now so I know what's in it, and I think members will be pleased.

So, will it be the hidden screen set #11 which makes Sonar look like PT, so everyone could start using it and keep claiming to use the one and only ???

Anderton
 
I'm writing up the eZine for the second release now so I know what's in it, and I think members will be pleased.

I definitely missed that first eZine. where was it found?

Feedback in these forums (and I suspect the survey??) was overwhelmingly in favour of bugfix and workflow enhancements as priority. From this I take that cakewalk are listening.

ampfixer
I found that with the first release, the eZine was terribly under advertised. I don't know why, but it took me a week before I noticed it and the link was right on the announcement page. It would be good to really push the eZine front and center on the next release.

I fully agree.

I thought the eZine was outstanding. A neat way to acquaint people with what is new and great in the new release.  There was polish to it that I liked and very useful as a reference. I hope CW keeps offering these not just with each release but when useful blogs are written they also should be incorporated.
 
   

What to expect this month.