They might actually get slide case if people complain enough about them lacking them. TI did do this before.
To the point of changing the actual design, though? Afaict the french version still doesn't have one.
Come to think of it they might not have to change the design, they could just have it not fit properly like on the 30xii, where you have to almost snap the thing off
Maybe they'll do a "screen cling" like they tried with the cx?
edit: missed the second part of the post...when did they do it before? 0.o