I mentioned this camera a while back, but sort of got a ho-humm response.
That said, I agree, it looks like it will be a great astro-cam. The built in intervalometer looks particularly cool.
As for being 12 bit, it is probably the case due the very small pixels (but numerous at 14 MP!) , the well depth of the sensor is insufficient to justify a 14 bit D/A. There also technical reasons (that I won't go into here) as to why higher level D/A conversion (e.g. 16bit) probably won't happen in CMOS for a little while yet.
I'm very keen to get one, but not 'till April they tell me