Obviously, different people have different opinions about the new mixer GUI. Some like the look but not the extra clicks, while some hate both. The fact is that the extra clicks are inherent in the new look. So if there’s anything to be done about the extra clicks–as demanded by seemingly the majority of users–a redesign in the GUI will also have to be involved. Will it ever happen? That’s another story…or better say, the whole story.
About the Nuendo/Nuage theory, be it true or not, I think Nuendo users are much less likely to buy Nuage simply because of compatibility, rather it’s the other way round. One who chooses to own Nuage might very well get motivated to entirely switch their perfectly working DAW to Nuendo merely on compatibility grounds; which brings me to my main argument: Yamaha certainly have the power and means to manufacture a custom-designed Nuendo to go with their expensive hardware–even as a bundle–and stop messing with the nerves of the rest of us.
Just an opinion.