STM8S is STs new line of 8-bit microcontrollers. The great thing about it is that they released a USB programmer/development board... for just $7 or as a free sample!
The first part of the board is a programmer that can be broken off and reused on other STM8s controllers. The second part is the actual development board, with some pins broken out, LED, and capacitive touch sensor.
I have yet to play around with mine, but there is a growing user base on the ST forums. Either get it as a sample now or wait for the distributors to have it in stock (within 1 day of ST emailing the release of the Discovery, Mouser and Digikey sold out!!)