As someone who doesn't really use the desktop for storing files/shortcuts I would be perfectly happy to have the springboard replace my desktop entirely. Do you think that this wil be a defaultable option and would you opt for it?
no it won't be default. Also I wouldn't want it, I like my desktop clean. If I wanted a grid of apps on my desktop I would just do that myself. If anything I wish iOS would get rid of the grid of icons its just far too boring