Hey Guys,
Boards have pretty much leveled out in regards to plan shape. The thing that will change for a bit longer is the flex characteristics and maybe to a lesser extent, thickness and weight. Airush boards, and as far as I can tell, Nobile, also have got some nice flex and distribute it progressively to the tips and even corners of the board where it is useful in creating quite a dynamic and responsive board to ride. They both make reasonably light and thin boards with decent strength.
The widths and lengths have plateau'd. The thickness and weight wont change much because as boards get thinner, they get weaker. Custom shapers do build lighter boards that feel nicer than the big names but at the expense of decent warranty. To offer a decent warranty, companies need to build 'em stronger to handle todays crazy moves of high impact and rough treatment.
What we expect our boards to handle is pretty rich. I for one would rather have a board that is a couple of ounces heavier and twice as strong so that it doesn't break as opposed to a super light board that even if it is covered by a warranty will eventually break.
Whilst you are squabbling with the manufacturer over how it broke and waiting for it to be inspected and the reason for breakage determined, you are missing out on water time.

I can't speak for anyone else but, if it's blowing and my mates are all out having a filth sesh, I wanna be out there not waiting for a replacement board!
Make mine bombproof thanks!

Good winds,