I just hope the time-stretch is a new algorithm, and not the one they used elsewhere in other products (Battery, Reaktor, um...
). Personally I'm not too bothered by lack of some features as I bought Maschine to work together with other stuff. I can see how people using it as their center-piece may be up in arms, especially after selling their MPC though. I can't say I ever bought it with any intentions to stop using other software or hardware. I bought it for the opposite, to use with other hardware and software....even other drum oriented software.
Now, I have my MPC hooked to the analog INs on my interface and controlling other hardware via MIDI which are also hooked to digital inputs. I also have my MPC hooked to Maschine via MIDI (to Maschine's IN). Then I have Maschine for use in my DAW as a plug-in and for using it as a controller for plug-ins. This way I can choose my needs and which way I feel like working. Some people will say, why not use the MPC as a controller...well, the NI controller editor is actually great and goes well beyond what a MPC can do as far as templates and I personally don't like using my MPC as a controller for software unless I'm using the MPC's sequencer. It works for some, but don't forget that what works for you may not for others. People seem to forget that when they start arguing on these forums. The way I have it works for me, and I can do anything I need at any time without having to fuss around with setting up anything.
I personally think 1.5 is the last free upgrade from NI, and if so, those people wanting time-stretch are going to be blowing steam from their nostrils. For the sake of those that are watching these updates like they have nothing better to do, I hope I'm wrong.
EDIT-thought you were talking about the real 60 for a mintue 