Daniel: "I wonder why they switched to white plastic?"

David: The buttons were already white. Consistancy.
David: They ran out of black.
David: It's winter. White is a winter color.
David: They really want to quit making them, but demand is too high. Hopefully, white will lower the demand. Seems to be working.
David: They noticed they could turn off 90% of the lights in the factory if white cases were used. Easier to assemble in the dark.
David: They mistakenly assumed white was going to be the next designer color of home A/V equipment.
David: It's really BLACK plastic, just a lighter shade of black.
David: Oops! Pressed the wrong button at the parts factory.
David: Customer Service employees complained of too little work to do. Assumed white would stimulate complaints and keep employees happy.
David: Mrs. X10 wanted white. Mrs. X10 ALWAYS gets what she wants.

Could be.

Dave ;-)