I've had exactly the same thoughts myself. I was thinking about using TP-Link WR703n's instead of Pi's but if they get the model A out in quantity soon enough, it would be a better choice.

Powerful computers that are so cheap you can permanently purpose them to tuning on and off a single light-bulb are a bit of a game changer if you think about it.

I'm guessing the next raft of patent trolling will follow the form "household item but with a computer/wifi in it".