I really dig these controllers. They're modular and universal. In the morning they can control photo and video apps, and switch over to be controllers for your DAW. They are very expensive but that will change with time. I'm in cramped quarters, so the idea of multi functions and customized layouts makes sense. I love the fact that you can assign each module its own illuminated colour code at will. 
 
Here's a link to the midi application. You may want to check out the apps section of the site where they list a number of supported applications.
 
http://palettegear.com/midi
 

Home automation solutions always expensive... But what is THAT? If you want to turn the light, do you want to use some encoder on your table? I would prefer my phone, at most some encoder on the wall (in addition).
 
And for DAW... I have not checked videos, are faders motorized? rings for encoders? $50 per small box with probably $1-$2 worse components (several wires for matrix routing, 4 magnets and one knob). Delivered starting from summer

Three months pre-order?  I have a very simplistic viewpoint of pre-orders in general: don't, they're an entirely daft, anti-consumer proposition.
 
Also, given how absurdly chunky they are, I don't see how they're a space-saver.  The picture shows like 6 faders and a similar number of knobs/buttons and together they take up the same amount of space of an entire mixer containing many times the number of controls.  As for the cost..!  Well, I do admit to being quite astonished that the limited wood edition has sold out :-D
 
The design is very nice and all, but I think one might be substituting chic for practicality in buying these.