i guess that's digital photography. just like hardware, they will always be evolving. there'll be the latest and the greatest and they will get cheaper with time.
According to them, the i series will be marketed in first half 2003. Can't really blame them considering the pathetic market demand in Singapore. I would have done the same. In fact, I would get rid of most of my current inventory before introducing the next series.
I see no reason why anyone would buy the i950 if its going to cost several hundred dollars more than the s820. Furthermore, if the price difference between a 'new' i950 and a discounted and discontinued s9000 is small, i would rather spend a bit more and get the s9000... (expect the s9000 to drop to $700....)
New model releases are an opportunity to get old models at a good price.