I for one am a huge fan of the shoe. I got my first pair in high school and have been hooked ever since. I currently have two black hi-top's, one in leather and another in canvas. I have two white Chucks, one in hi-top another in slim low-top. I even wore a pair during my wedding reception!
Anyway, you get the picture. I am excited to get my hands (or feet?) on a pair. The update is not just cosmetic. There will be an upgrade in terms of tech as well. The soles will be using Nike's Lunarlon Sockliner tech which promises more comfort, cushioning and support.
There will be a price update as well as a pair of these new Chuck Taylor's will cost more than a regular pair. In my mind, it's a win-win situation.
Customers get a better product while Converse gets to reboot an icon and charge more in the process. Fans are likely to embrace it, as the shoe looks almost the same. So a new generation of users will likely buy into Converse without having to sacrifice or make unhappy the existing fan base (which is what happens in a lot of reboots).
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II's are available now. Run! :-)