The expectation surrounding the new Bitwig sequencer/DAW is is building almost as fast as the software itself is being built. Comparisons with Ableton’s Live are also being made due to the inclusion of clip launch features, but after seeing it in the flesh myself yesterday when we were visited by Dominik from Bitwig, it's clear that there’s so much more to it.
The first and obvious remark is the relationship to Ableton Live - partly due to the inclusion of the clip launcher and other interface similarities. The simple answer is that until Live came along, there was a standard DAW layout that all DAWs adhered to, with a few deviations. And then Ableton Live changed that. The Bitwig guys love Live as much as they love other working methods so it seems only rational therefore that elements from them would be included.
White iLoud monitors and a new modelling guitar pedal
CV controlled mixing console and some distinctly dirty effects
Lightweight hammer action keys that can run on batteries