What kind of change does this PR introduce?

Update

closes #1403
closes #1598
closes #1602
closes #1684
closes #1671
closes #1384
closes #1389
closes #1261
closes #1333
closes #1541
closes #1258

What might this PR break?

Some small additions to the public API

Please check if the PR fulfills these requirements

• Tests for the changes have been added (for bug fixes / features)
• Docs have been added / updated (for bug fixes / features)

Other information: