Steve,
Software development/deployment takes time. You turn things on in logical increments so that you can attack problems logically as you turn things on.
If HT were to turn all things on at the same time, it would be very hard to determine if a problem was the result of some other logic section.
A stepped approach allows one to flatten problems and when the next "thing" is turned on, did it effect what you had just flattened ... if so, then you have a good idea where the problem is and can attack it.
I believe that it was HT (maybe Pyro) that said that the new graphics engine has stuff in it that hasn't been turned on as of yet, but will bring great things to AH II.
I believe that HTC is just trying to get the current state of the FM, FBM, and gameplay issues straighten out so that they can go live. The bells and whistles will come after this has taken place and they will be introduced in a logical manner so that any problems that may occur can be handled quickly, logically, and efficiently.
Patience my friend ... all good things come in time.