The cable should release from the brake when the calipers are squeezed together. The procedure is no different to using V-brakes.

Personally I think it's clean and practical. How effective properly adjusted brakes like that would be is another matter. If they are like their MTB bretheren, then likely quite good. I'd have them on one of my road bikes just to be different.

This thread is notable for BobDop never having seen a component like that before (which is more of a compliment than it seems).