I have been generally negative towards the 4th ed in general, but I LOVE the idea of Wizard's actually using implements. It makes Wizards run more like their legendary/mythological equivalents. I would have had the implements simply replace material components however, and still have there be spells that cannot be cast without an implement.
For anyone that questions the use of the Tome in combat, that's exactly what's depicted in the medieval legends of Charlemagne. Malagigi, the wizard-knight, uses his book to summon and command demons, and when his book is stolen, he can't use his magic. In actual medieval occultism, the book would have contained not only the conjurations the magician needed, but also the actual pacts and sigils of the demons that forced their obedience. Actual grimoires from the 16th and 17th centuries (I know a collector) were made small, so they could be held in one hand while the magician worked (and could be hidden up a wide sleeve if needed) So, the image of a wizard reading from his book in the middle of the dungeon is entirely historical.