You must be reading old information - speed dial will go up to about 6 columns if your screen is wide enough, while the number of rows is unlimited (there will be a scroll bar if they don't all fit). However ... as there are no longer only 9 items, the Ctrl+digit shortcuts have been removed. Also, speed dial now supports groups (sort of like folders, but only 1 level deep).
Speed dial settings is now a cog (gear) icon at the top right.