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Well you can daisy chain FW devices quite efficiently (and pretty much all FW devices I have seen support this). I am not sure, but I doubt that they had two separate FW chips on the old MBP, so all this means is that you need a new cable for your old FW devices, aside from this all should continue to work.
BTW, they upgraded the 17" a bit after the 15" MBP, they do now offer a mate display option for a cool 50USD extra on the 17". So I am thinking they will also offer this when they do the next MBP 15" update.
Also there is a growing after market that sells display protection covers that also reduce the glare. Still annoying that Apple left out the option.