What will be coming from Canon and when ?

But so what? Do you know what Canon is doing about developing new kinds of glass? It's very impressive. Better AR coatings (the area of my present research, since the sensors we use are essentially near the limit that can be achieved in QE and noise) can lead to as much increase in photons entering the camera that are detected as the difference in QE between Canon and the other detectors you mention. Canon does not need new optics from Carl Zeiss. The new glasses they have developed should lead to even more impressive lens performance.

But again, the point made by many here is that there is lot more to a camera than its sensor and the technology used to make it (which I consider irrelevant as an end user). I picked a Canon 5D III over a Nikon D800 with no prejudice at the beginning (in fact, I was sure I was going to buy a Nikon for a while), but because what Canon offered fit my needs better. What better reason for picking a camera is there, assuming price isn't also a major issue in a choice?

I believe your concern as a Canon owner, among many other brands, is that, unless Canon does something about improving its sensors in the future, you might be stuck with a significantly inferior camera if you stay with Canon. Only time will tell if your concerns become reality. I am sure everything you have pointed out about Canon technology is well-understood by Canon and has probably been discussed at great length by them. In the end they are a business, and their choices will be made on the basis of what they think will make the most money.

Joe