Java Edition 1.9

1.9 is an upcoming update to Minecraft with no set release date, currently only listed in the bug tracker as "Far Future Version - 1.9+", as well as mentioned by the Minecraft Developers. It has been announced that 1.9 snapshots will begin being published in January of 2015.

Additions

 * A way for mod/plugin makers to implement new commands and register them in a simple way.
 * Animation / Entity Models
 * Could possibly include model changes via NBT.
 * Would be implemented via resource packs.
 * This will make better use of changes in the code, so map makers/mod makers can create better/new mobs
 * Basically what had happened with the block data change in 1.8
 * May take some time before it is fully finished

Pressed Dirt
 * Pressed Dirt.png
 * A 15/16 block tall grass-like "path". It features a similar texture like the grass block.

Changes

 * Command blocks
 * New GUI
 * Will contain tab to complete.
 * Clouds
 * New cloud rendering system.
 * Shaders
 * Switch away from using fixed-function OpenGL to using Shaders.
 * Wither
 * A new bar for when there are multiple withers.
 * Ender Dragon
 * A redo of the Ender Dragon's boss fight, being similar to the fight in Console Edition.