An article on CNN by a commercial pilot was interesting. He thinks that the vague info released so far could still be consistent with a 777 flying with the autopilot OFF and where the crew is incapacitated.

He says that the large course and altitude changes described so far could be consistent with the 777's automatic stabilization and auto throttle features as the plane encounters turbulence, wind direction changes, etc. that keep the plane aloft even when the autopilot is not engaged. (it sounds like the 777 is somewhat hard to crash unless you deliberately steer it into the ground)

This pilot says that until there is better evidence that the plane was flown deliberately and expertly--i.e. a straight line from point A to B, then a crisp turn, then a straight line to the next waypoint, and so on--after contact was lost, that the crew incapacitation theory is still in play.

Anyway, a fascinating new theory that I had not heard before that is based solely on the technology of the 777 itself. Doesn't explain the loss of contact, but that's also the still an open question.