Elektron Musical Instruments

Forgive me, I do not yet have my Machinedrum.  It's currently in 
Paris.. so hopefully I'll get it within the next two days.

But this new pattern chaining I hear about in the new OS.  What 
exactly is it?  Wasn't it available in previous OS versions?  It it the 
same thing as pattern sequencing on the fly?  

And midimachines.. now that everyone has had a few days to 
play around with it.. how are they?  Any limitations?  Or is it really 
that great and enables full control of external synths?  I heard 
someone mention something about having the ability to do 
chords.. can someone explain how it is set up and works?

One last general question.. what is the maximum polyphony of 
the machinedrum?

Thanks!