Actually you are right! Band-in-a-box is quite similar, but still have a feel that it belongs to the realm of an "arranger keyboard" (like the auto-accompaniment features in Yamaha's PSR keyboards) - which means limited variations. EZKeys is claiming "unlimited creativity through it's groundbreaking functionality" (quote). Auto-accompaniment type has midi sequenced note by note. Sequenced midi played by a real player is different - it's more realistic, probably not quantized strictly, has the nuances of playing sequenced (not just notes with different velocities) and will sound more like a player playing it. Just like their EZdrummer and SD, they will probably start to develop more midi sequences for piano using some big names (e.g "Chick Corea playing your songs", like how Native Instruments try to market their piano sample by sequencing Alicia Key's grand piano...).
We should have seen it coming. I recall when ultra-realistic samples start replacing bass players, brass and wind players, guitarists, drummers etc - the instrumentalists were crying foul because they are being replaced in the recording studios by us keyboardists - who are now playing all their parts with a keyboard sounding almost exactly like the real deal. We were laughing at them then. I recall a some time back when I posted something about the Les Paul sample by Prominy (LPC) and quite a few guitarists were offended how they are being replaced because of the realism of the sample (quick reminder for those who don't know about the Prominy -
http://prominy.com/les.htm; check out the video links, taking note that it's developed about 7 years ago using technology at that time).
We feel we owned everything - we can emulate all instruments, but we are irreplaceable! Now...the joke's on us. WE are the ones being replaced!!!! Soon, they'll start developing tools to improvise notes, not just using sequenced midi...
