The core ID definitely didn't need to be in a register, but the elapsed clocks since reset is actually really handy. Having this in the hot path allows me to build a captouch sensor using the BIO, because the clock increment is 1.42ns and even though the rise time of the pad is microseconds you get plenty of resolution at that counting rate.
I think it will be interesting to see what people end up doing with it and what are the pain points. As you say, it's a v1 - with any luck there will be a v2, so we could consider the time starting now as a deliberation period for what goes into v2.
The good news is that it also all compiles into an FPGA, so proposed patches can be tested & vetted in hardware, albeit at a much slower clock rate.
I think it will be interesting to see what people end up doing with it and what are the pain points. As you say, it's a v1 - with any luck there will be a v2, so we could consider the time starting now as a deliberation period for what goes into v2.
The good news is that it also all compiles into an FPGA, so proposed patches can be tested & vetted in hardware, albeit at a much slower clock rate.