In reply to Removed User:
I do wonder if this style of binding is a solution waiting for a problem, or the result of genuine market pressure. Of course, market pressure could be due to either a perceived need or a real one.
When I do ski in-resort, I never feel like the tech bindings are going to fail me, don't transfer power to the ski, etc. I ski them just as I would an alpine binding. I don't go hitting the park, but I do hoon around! As French Erick alludes to, equally I'm not doing backflips in to gullies, but have absolutely no problem trusting them on steep and / or exposed stuff.
With the advent of rotating toe-pieces and spring-loaded rear sections, I think the argument about different release characteristics and greater risk of blowing knees / ACLs etc is going away too. They do still have slightly different characteristics but again, I've always had them release when I've needed, and not release when I'd rather they stayed on. I'm sure correct setup of the kit is critical too.
Of course, this is all academic guff - if people buy them...