While I'm disappointed that it required such public backlash to get them to change their polices, I'm glad they have been listening and it says good things about them that they are turning things around. The bit about retail X1's being able to be used as dev units, while still unconfirmed, would be excellent if true.
I heard a rumor though that those without a publisher would be required to use the win 8 store and would be limited to 3gb of ram, which is a bit disappointing if true, but even if that's the case, at least there would still be an option.