+1 for loop points automation, timestretch, pitchshift
what do you mean by sample groups? (mute groups?)
sample start automation is pretty much the 0S command, although it cannot be done in automation lanes in any way as far as I know.
0S - trigger sample slice number xx or offset xx
zone crossfading - surely there must be some way to crossfade between two samples in the same instrument, which are placed on the same key in keyzones…maybe with the new mappable ‘modulation wheel’ slider to the far left of the keyboard?
it was discussed in 2008 here (if anyone knows how, id be interested to know how sounds like a cool thing to do):