A: In terms of travelling, I believe this should answer your question in regards to the ball being released on a dribble:
25.2.1 Establishing a pivot foot by a player who catches a live ball on the playing court: To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released from the hand(s). - this portion of the rule has not changed from prior years.
A player who catches the ball while he is progressing, or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball: If receiving the ball the player shall release the ball to start his dribble before his second step. - this is where the rule changed, on the progression.
In terms of a player in the act of shooting, the change to the rule for this year is under rule 15.1.3 and states - "When a player is in the act of shooting and after being fouled he passes the ball off, he is no longer considered to have been in the act of shooting."