From Sheldon Brown:

Internal cable routing:
The practice of running gear or brake cables through the inside of a frame, instead of outside. This is usually done for the sake of making the bike look nicer. Unfortunately, internal cable routing usually degrades performance by increasing weight and cable friction. It can also make servicing the bicycle more difficult.

So its not a new idea by any means. I can see the advantage for an "urban" type bike - I have the snag issue when I carry my bike up the stairs - but it comes at a performance cost.