The thing is, some users prefer pattern blocks because they've been using them for so long, and a serious concern with live show performers is the future of Live Mode. Using pattern blocks with Live Mode is currently the only way to launch patterns on-the-fly.
The new playlist marker types, while handy for arranging, and potentially useful for live performance, are not yet satisfying substitutes for the old Live Mode. On the bright side, since these new marker types (and the new ZGameEditor Visualizer plug-in) are being advertised as great for live performance, this suggests that Image-Line consider live features to be a central part of FL Studio. We do hope this means that more live features are on their to-do list.
On to the new stuff, then. The piano roll, Playlist (ie, arrangement/project page) and mixer are fundamental to any DAW, and this update sees many GUI tweaks and workflow enhancements in these key areas. Check out the History section on the Image-Line website for a full rundown.
FL Studio users have long appreciated the 'ghost notes' feature that allows you to see the notes of multiple instruments on the same piano roll, and now you can edit ghost notes directly by double-right-clicking them.
Anyone who programs drums in the piano roll should be rejoicing, because this essentially lets you work with multiple drum parts in one editor, even if they all come from different plug-ins.
The Playlist has received additions to its multiple timeline marker types, with pause, loop and skip markers being handy for testing out arrangement ideas. And there are lots of smaller yet no less helpful changes, such as the improved zoom-scroll bars and the ability to view tracks at differing vertical heights.
The all-new Project Picker is neat and effective, while the mixer now has a lovely wide-view option that looks great and makes it a pleasure to work with. There's now automatic plug-in latency compensation (but still no proper track freeze, alas). Refer to the FL Studio 10 website for the full rundown of new features.