I've been waiting for this printer too. Stopped by the local camera store and talked to the sales guy who is reliable with info and he has no idea. Lots of people have been asking for it and all he can get is released in 2007. He indicated that even the Canon rep does not know.
I've considered the 9000Pro with their CromaLife inks but would rather wait and see what the new model offers. If Canon cripples this printer with a lenth limit so panoramas cannot be printed, then I will look elsewhere. At the local camera store expo, Canon was well represented and I bent their ear about this limitation. He said he hears it loud and clear all the time. Whether Canon will listen remains to be seen. My guess is they are deaf to some things. Hopefully not this time.