A lot of speculation going on here so I will add mine.

1. Beta Apps open - I agree. The roadmap did say early January
2. Benchmark - I hope so. Will believe it when I see it.
3. Letter from the Editor - Again I agree though it will not be a live letter. Those require a great deal of preparation and we are normally given details well in advance. This letter will probably be an introduction to all that is planned for the 7th and the immediate future and possibly an update on developments.


In addition I would not read too much into the picture. I think it is just a whimsical expression of Yoshi-P and the forces at his command <is that Soken hanging out of his thigh high leggings?>

As always just my opinions