The Brompton style front bag is handy for touring too, I used a handlepost mounted bag for that in addition to front panniers, because of the limited capacity of the rear rack. But front panniers are less likely to be used by commuters, yes.

Pacific have done modifications, but do they have the freedom to make any change they like and still call it a Birdy? That would surprise me. I would expect R&M to approve or deny changes before Pacific can make them. But who knows.