I think this update is all part of a bigger move towards greater flexibility, to be honest. OK so maybe I was joking about the balance-board, but it's clear they want the Wii U experience to be as accommodating for as many people as possible.
There are a huge number of Wiimotes and classic controllers out there in people's cupboards - instant extra controllers to get the most out of. It's a sales plus when a potential buyer realises that they won't have to lay out on extra controllers for their new Wii U system. There are probably still loads of GC controllers lurking around in attics, ready and waiting to be plugged in as players 2, 3 and 4 for when the Smash Bros GC adaptor comes out.
The Gamepad will never replace other controllers, that's true, but it is its uniqueness that makes the Wii U. The NFC function wasn't developed for nothing, as we are now all very aware. The arrival of Amiibo only strengthens the probability that something will also happen in the future regarding the Wii U's capability of supporting 2 Gamepad controllers. That means, of course, Gamepads could one day be available as additional accessories, making a Gamepad-less Wii U possible.
Even so, the only scenario I can think of where Nintendo might release a Gamepad-less Wii U is as a pared down version right at the end of its life, in the same way that they did with the Wii Mini. Even then, I can only see that happening if Gamepads were already made available to buy as a second controller, and that Gamepads are bundled with newly released games that require them.
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