Right...
So we can't have an opinion on the cameras aimed at us now? If we didn't have so many people voicing opinion, there would be very little positive development in DSLR's.
Like PostcardCv says, camera companies know the score, but I think with more people getting into photography and onto forums such as POTN, they are under more pressure to deliver good cams.
As for the ###D series, they're great little cameras - the image quality in many ways is very similar to the ##D series, but have less advanced features and are not as well built.
I've got a 400D now, but I will not be buying into the 500D; I can't see it as anything more than a marginal upgrade, that, for a significant lump of cash, will make very little real world difference to my images.
Of cause we have an opinion, but I think we should put things into perspective, we have entered into a great new era in photography and have never had so much control over our pics, and such superb equipment to hand.
Let's enjoy it.