When will Mini be upgraded????

Question

I finally want to make a living room media center out of a Mac Mini. But I'm wondering if and when this thing will be upgraded. Does Apple know what they have on their hands with this cute little computer??? I just saw the latest PC Home media Servers coming out and they look hot! Apple, please upgrade the Mini to compete with these. Faster bus, 4gb RAM, 7200 rpm, eSata out, DVI & HDMI out, better air circulation, maybe external wall wart for less heat!
the competition: http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/05/windows-home-server-launches-hardware-blitz-f or-holidays/1#c8515848
I had small shuttle computers before and they all started dying of heat stroke one after another. I hope the Mini can las longer, but keeping things really cool is key.

Answer 1

No-one really knows what Apple's plans are for this system - typically they don't announce products prior to release or discuss their future product plans in public. Those that may know are bound by non-disclosure agreements not to give any information, and thus all you may hear on the subject, including any responses here, is nothing more than speculation.
What can be said is that it is only recently that the mini was last updated, when it gained C2D processor and a shift in base RAM to 1Gb from the 512Mb that was previously installed. It would be unlikely therefore that the model would see another update soon. Possible, but unlikely. It is also unlikely within the current product range, that the mini would see any appreciable upscaling in terms of power or performance, since it is clearly pitched as an entry-level system, and boosting performance in isolation from similar updates to the rest of the range would risk it cannibalizing sales of iMacs and possibly Mac Pros.
It may be true that other manufacturers are developing and producing more powerful media center systems, but at this time that is clearly not the market the mini is aimed at, so that fact alone is not reason for Apple to change direction with the product, even though there would be some interest if they did so.
By the way, as far as heat goes, given that the majority of laptops run much hotter and seem to last reasonably well, I don't see any reason for much concern - particularly not since the mini benefits from rather more internal space and ventilation holes. There is certainly no indication of any widespread heat-related failures of these systems.