I'm actually very excited about this news.
1. This will give more options for people in areas with restrictive laws, but also restrictive employers; for example, I am not allowed to carry a knife at my current job, and wasn't even allowed to use anything other than the company-issued utility blade, even when I worked doing in-the-field IT work, where a pocketable tool set would have been super handy (I would have loved to carry my CyberTool M).
2. I think the package opener tool is going to be THE key feature of these new SAKs; I'd argue that many people who carry SAKs are largely using the blade for opening up Amazon packages, cutting threads off clothes, and many of the more menial tasks that could easily be accomplished with either the scissors or the package opener.
3. While the "My First Victorinox" with the blunted tip was a good option, I think these will be an even better first option, and then let them "graduate" to a version with a knife.
4. It's possible that these tools may be TSA Safe, so they can be brought onto carry-on. The Jetsetter obviously exists, but I think the Medium sized SAKs are really where most people find joy with a SAK. I highly doubt it, but who knows.
5. Not everyone may feel the need to carry a knife, and this may give an option to those people who would still like to carry a versatile tool.
With that being said, I'm honestly a bit surprised about this (found here:
https://www.iamexpat.ch/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/victorinox-developing-knife-less-swiss-army-knife-ceo-confirms):
While the Swiss Army Knife’s blade is short enough to be legal to carry in public in the United Kingdom, the brand does not want to be associated with the prevalence of knife-related crime in UK cities.
They just introduced the Evoke line, which is probably the most "tactical" thing they've introduced, besides the stuff they have provided for military contracts (ex. the bayonets). I wonder if they view that a bit differently since it isn't a "traditional"-style SAK? Who knows.
The weapon/tool debate isn't going away, and I was hoping that by introducing more of the "fashionable" SAKs, this would be their way in trying to normalize the carrying of a SAK, but I guess that isn't the case.
Regardless, I look forward to buying whatever model they end up putting out.