High res texture packs are now supported by the new stitching method of 1.5, but old texture packs don't work. The modding API has been in the works forever, but when it's released it will see much better cross-mod compatibility (maybe), and definitely be less work for modders updating between versions. I would like to say no work updating between versions, but I'm being realistic.
If anything Jeb and Dinnerbone found direction after the game started to wander a bit in 1.9/1.0. Witches are pretty rare, but are an interesting encounter when you find them, although I will admit they aren't my favourite thing in game. Horses, however, are fantastic and actually make traveling long distances regularly feasible without a ridiculous railway system like the one on the OWF server.
Also, you neglected to mention mob AI rewrite(s), mod spawning alterations (in the works), jungle/desert temples, villager trading, The Wither, everything in 1.5 and all of the other really good things that have been added to the game since Notch left.
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