Development cost argument is near irreverent when you look at the range of MyLaps product, they use the same decoder for 'everything', and I'd guess a revision of the same transponder packaged differently for each purpose.

If they want to close up a market by re and then re-revising firmwares to lock out MRT users, you have to see that as stinging users on development cost for things that don't interest us.
Likewise I'm still yet to find anyone who cares about the new features, most everyone I have ever talked to about transponders just wishes they were cheaper.