Ultimately, the "Open Source" argument is academic. What we have here is a case of making a promise at a large venue with high visibility (Maker Faire) and then standing up the world without explanation.
I still believe Arduino will do the right thing and update the user community, the vendors and distributors. Because I'd like to think Arduino is like Da Vinci, not Berlusconi.
I think one of the reasons for the delay is this collaboration with ATMEL. "Open Source" cultures do not mix well with regimented, secretive, proprietary, corporate cultures like ATMEL.