Already done. Ditched Avast a week+ ago on my main workstation and my computing experience has been better for it. I still have it on my test systems, though, but I'm considering removing it from the one running Win 8.1.
Perhaps your definition of "speculation" and mine apparently differ. Between items 1 and 2 I've covered every possibility, and item 3 is a given. Or are you arguing that the announcement HASN'T been removed for a month while the UI still shows it as configurable?
I didn't make a rash decision. I had 10 years of experience with Avast too, but it counts for exactly what when the last 6 months indicates a change of the tide? Give it time, you'll perceive it too.
-Noel