Hello. The waiting list allows you to move someone from the waiting list to an active registrant now as the records are created along with regular records with a status of "Waiting". The admin can change the status, but it is not automated yet. It will be, but other features have been more of a priority lately
2.7 did move a great deal in that direction though. The waiting list is much better than 2.6 had.
The emails can contain a link to our user panel where users can cancel and such, but the user panel is intended for registered users only. You can enable the auto user creation feature PER EVENT so users can create an account during registration.
Yes, you can configure what fields show in the frontend list of attendees. That's been available for a long time, but is easier in 2.7
2.7 added an official field type of "Email". Then it has the ability to enable a confirmation field so the user has to enter the email twice, and it is of course validated. That is available now.
Thanks!