Never heard about that but I agree that the b44 is crap compared to other options and AE is not stupid they will not name is a B44.4 with the stigma already attached by many.
AE has something in the works and they always wait to announce it at the Reedy race or whatever big race they choose in the next few months
TLR took a bit of a differs route with the 22-4 2.0 which I don't believe is that much of an upgrade compared to the original 22-4.