The problem with NMR sniping is that not everyone will be able to be online at the exact deadline, so it unfairly favors players who can. In fact, when NMR sniping is possible, players are even encouraged to unnecessarily extend game phases by only readying at times that would make the deadline become more handy for them.
Also, like Enriador, when I sign up for a game with a phase length of T, I expect phases to be T long. I don't mind the extra wait. If I wanted to play in a game with a shorter phase, I would have signed up for a game with a shorter phase.
So I see no downsides to the new change. I do see upsides, because I like the additional layer of anonimity.
@Caerus: Yes, I think he will. I have also noticed another change: when I look at a player profile, I see "Visited in last 24 hours", but not an exact time. This is, again, to improve anonimity.
@Sky_Hopper: Yes, I did. I mentioned it way back in this thread.