@Wolf
But the problem with that is we don't want people buying iClone Pro and 3DXchange Pro because of how good they are, we wan't the opposite effect, for those people to look at Poser and come back to it.  There are people at SM who know what they're doing, that's obvious when you look at how they implemented those animatable bullet crosshairs.  If they put the same amount of thought into what is missing from Poser animation, Poser would be absolutely killer for animation.

Look at it logically, it's a program centred around figures.  Figures need to walk, and therefore we need an easy to use motion designer that works live on the figure in the viewport as you blend various mannerisms into it.  Figures need hair, so the current hair system either needs massively upgrading or replacing altogether.  Figures wear clothes, so we need a cloth system that is productive and gives live results.

Add that all together and you cannot escape the ineviteble, that Poser is an animation tool, and therefore the animation needs bringing up to date.  I totally agree with you how good iClone is, that's why I also have my eye on it, and as far as I'm concerned, iClone is Poser's biggest threat, not DAZ Studio.  DAZ studio is no threat to Poser simply because the interface is not as productive, and it's animation tools aren't in the same league as iClone's are.

There's only one program that offers a "productive" environment that excells both DS and Poser, and that is iClone.
The key word there, is "Productive" - we see endless animations done in iClone because it is "productive".

We don't see endless animations coming out of DS or Poser, because they're absolutely not productive when it comes to animation.  DS is more productive than Poser for animation, but it still pales in comparison to iClone, that is why I say, if SM really want to get the animation thing sorted, they cannot do better than delve into iClone so that they understand why you (and I) and god knows how many Ex-Poser users have moved over to it (or are thinking of moving over to it).  SM aren't going to continue selling this thing if they don't bring it up to speed, they really are pushing it with this antiquated animation thing they have going on.

So no, running off to Reallusion and buying that stuff isn't the answer, getting that stuff into Poser is the answer :-)

Damn, it's annoying, I love seeing animations people knock out of these programs, especially iClone and Poser, but searching for iClone animations in comparison to Poser ones is just, well, sad, there really is nothing happening because the program just isn't "productive" enough for animation - too much hard work.  You see comments like "What program did you use?", the answer is almost always "iClone!", it would be nice to see that change so that more and more, the answer becomes "Poser!".

"Cool, I'll pick up a copy of Poser then!"
That's what we need, know what I mean Wolf?

As it is, if you told someone you animated in Poser, they'd probably pity you and say something like:
"Yeah, I used to use poser back in 2000, you poor bastard,  I take it you like doing things the hard way then?"