Updates for 0.8

[jkristell]

Accumulated refactoring and fixes from the last months

Todo:

• [x] Changelog
• [x] Test with blipper
• [x] Make sure all examples still work
• [x] Clear all TODOs

Closes: #24 Closes: #25 Closes: #36 Closes: #39 Closes #41 Closes: #42 Closes: #43