I think the KTM QS is very good.
I spend a bit of time on an unmarked XR 1000 at work and the QS on that is very different, and in my opinion not as good.
Although KTM say the QS works down the box as well, i still prefer to dip the clutch on those down changes. Because it auto blips i've pretty much ironed out blipping the gas on down changes altogether (quite hard to do after 30 years of biking!), but the result is fantastically smooth down changes that just don't interrupt the flow of a ride at all. Without the clutch, the down changes are just a bit too notchy for my liking. (Unless you are properly on it and are riding very very aggressively - then it makes more sense).
The BM XR QS'er is actually quite good down the box by comparison, but as an all round package it doesn't have the buttery smoothness of the KTM.
I think that some modern tech swings more towards tech for the sake of it rather than something that really adds to the riding experience and brings something genuinely useful to the table. For me The KTM QS'er is not a gimmick, and is as natural and fluid to use as say a modern decent car auto gear box.