it's just going to be IS but they will make it so friends being there won't be completely pointless.

if they make it so you can progress your islands on others or have ways to help and interact beneficially with others would go a long way to improve the old system greatly.

my take on it is like all the other content they make especially when its in the same line lets use DD as the example it will always be the same content as last time just a bit different and it just sounds like they took the players feedback on how it feels like you are all alone when you do IS and is improving that part.