I just updated to the latest version on my computer and phone (1.18), but discovery doesn't seem to be working.
It was very frustrating. Restarting both did nothing...I really don't know what to do.
The only solution was a new button called share by link or something, where you manually type in the web address.
So the transfer mechanism still works...it is just discovery that is borked.
In defense of Graphene for the first point:
Graphene has a pin scrambler, so the numbers are in a different position everytime you have to enter them.
It isn't hard at all to get used to it, and it circumvents the pattern recognition bit.
Fingerprint unlock...that's a different discussion especially with biometrics not being protected under the law, but for first unlock you always have to enter in a pin
Quickly looking at my phone, you can enter in a passphrase (though personally I think that's too cumbersome). There's also a swipe option, I THINK that might be pattern, but I'm not sure. I can't test it, because it means deleting the already in place measures, and I don't wnat to do that at the moment.
I don't know enough about other points to comment on it.