<blockquote>Currently my phone is lying flat on my desk, I can unlock it without picking it up it with my finger or a pin and check the screen for notifications. How is a system that requires picking it up to be scanned by its camera(s) making my life easier?</blockquote>
I think you'll still be able to do this, just tap the screen. You might have to raise it to interact with those notifications but according to the keynote it looks like you'll definitely be able to see them without picking it up.