I think in the days before the vsti was created and and the samples were in the GigaStudio format is when there were pre-release announcements. It would be nice to know what is coming soon. If nothing else, so people won't fuss as much about a certain instrument being recorded and issued. The upcoming information could be "simple" with the understanding that until a finalized announcement, anything can change including sample content and prices.
I still have hopes for Baroque instruments. This should please users who are wanting altnerate solo strings (such as a second solo violin).
As for the open strings, I have used non-vibrato samples as a work-around. I still would like to have actual recordings of open strings.