I know we cannot access the top lcd information directly - but maybe we can fool it into displaying what we want? My idea is to hack/modify the free card space information so we can get any number we want in the "remaining shots" display area.
This would be invaluable for photo mode when feedback is required or information could be given like set/remaining # of ml backets/focus stacks and whatnot. As my previous feature request about a back LCD notify box I think more feedback in photo mode would be a huge usability boost, just letting the camera beep sounds like C64 age again :-p