XD
First of all I am a new owner of an XD and I am no way an expert on the gun. I shot my XD45 compact for the 1st time yesterday, I am very pleased with it to say the least.
The features of the XD DO NOT eliminate the need for safety or need for "press" checks. The 5 rules still apply, the XD manual states all this numerous times. They are features, they are liked by some and disliked by others, they do have uses and are helpful to some.
I personally like a loaded chamber indicator and I also like to know I am "cocked. For example my Taurus Mil Pro has a loaded chamber indicator but when in a holster there is no way of telling if it is cocked. The XD is the same, but my thumb will tell me I am cocked when I rub it over the cocking indicator. Does that mean there is a round in the chamber, no but for me it is a good indicator because I never leave my guns cocked with a round in the chamber, unless I am carrying.
It doesn't eliminate the need to open the slide and visually and physically check the chamber for a round either, I do that often.
Glock's have what some may call a cocking indicator, the trigger, it is further back than when it is cocked, same as my Mil Pro. The grip safety in my opinion is an excellent safety, it is in-obtrusive and as stated above, has been proven in the 1911 design. I personally like the fact the slide won't rack without being pressed, just me. I believe most children would have a hard time engaging the grip safety and trigger safety, just my opinion.
My point is to each his own if you don't like the features of the XD don't buy one but it doesn't mean that they are useless or a bad design it is just different.