monome: greyscale sixty-four release date
Monome.org just released the information in the release date of their greyscale sixty-four: 1st of January, 2010. The 64 edition is US$ 500 plus shipping costs. *Update*: Orders are accepted as of NOW. I just ordered my monome via google checkout. International postage fee is 90$ +customs. Let's see when it arrives...
What is a monome? "a reconfigurable grid of backlit keypads which connects to a computer. interaction between the keys and lights is determined by the application running on the computer. there is no hard-wired functionality."
New Ableton Live Contoller: Novation Launchpad

A Monome for the rest of us. The new Ableton Live Controller by Novation looks quite like the monome. Still, if it integrates in Ableton as well as the Akai APC 40, it can be a quite handy - and cheap: 150€ (199US$) is said to be the street price (to be released Nov '09).
Still since the APC40 uses a proprietary protocol, it is uncertain if the Launchpad will be usable for controlling other things than Ableton Live.
Monome: minimalistic bi-directional interfaces.

three models: two fifty six (16×16), one twenty eight (16×8), and sixty four (8×8). each is a reconfigurable grid of backlit keypads which connects to a computer. interaction between the keys and lights is determined by the application running on the computer. there is no hard-wired functionality.
I am really looking forward to get one od those. If anyone wants to sell his 8x8 version, please drop me a mail. Currently only the DIY-Kits of the 40h version are available again, everything else is sold out. I think i will get myself one, stay tuned for a detailed review when i got it.