Are we going to be able to implement python scripts/programs like we can right now with Maemo 5?

For a media player, have you looked at Mediabox? It can use mafw and gstreamer. SomePlayer does look good, I'd admit.

Also, why are you using gnome programs? Wouldn't it be better/easier to use pure GTK programs or XFCE programs? For example, xfce4-power-manager instead of gnome-power-manager. I'm running a "living" experiment with archlinux and openbox at the moment to see what gnome programs can be completely replaced and which ones I can't live without at the moment hehe.