Wavelab has never been a one-stop click-and-go mastering software, and I certainly hope it won’t become that. Less is not more - less is automatic garbage if we’re not careful. Converting automatically to 16/44.1 may be useful for CD-burning for some, but I prefer to be in control of what’s happening. Wavelab offers ultimate control - and up to now demands control - and that means optimum quality if used well.
Next version date and price are not known by anyone here except PG, and he’s known to be rather secretive about it. My guess for WL8 is the Frankfurter Musikmesse in April…