>>25
I haven't done any research in this matter so I cannot say that touch-screens are more practical than physical keyboards for their targeted use cases. I'm presuming the designers have done their due diligence in this matter. Another thing to consider is the fact that using screens will reduce the orifice area to the internals. This helps with the problem of dirt and sand.
>>26
True, but you do have to realize that this is in the design stage of their next gen product. It's relatively cheap to change designs here, though it is more expensive compared to the spec requirements stage.