again tho, not all devices have a hover state.
I actually wasn't really aware of that. I would assume that as intelligent as developers claim to be with their field, effective UI would have already been integrated. Which is why i said to suggest the idea to their university, if the idea hasn't been developed (or the HTML5 developers group). It is completely logical to eliminate the scroll and replace it with a different function, the same way it makes sense to be able to position the background of an image using X or Y coordinates or having a Z index.
Why use something that limits the developers. Everyone is smart enough to know that when a page exceeds past the bottom fold of their screen, it is a natural instinct to scroll down by various means.
Your just moving the user from one habit to another, without any frustration. Again even having a pop up scroll bar and the ability to hide it and just use common sense to scroll up or down when perceived too makes it easier on both ends of the document.
Think outside the box everyone, use your problem solving skills (if you dont use it you lose it) integrate it in all of your websites, i guarantee you it will trend within 7 months. Post it on yoru blogs, forums etc.... even run a survey. SUggest it to yoru class....I sure as hell am. Don't criticize and then be the fake that turns around and uses the idea.