It's a different character, so there's that. But also very much AT using the design he originally liked best and using it as a feature villain against Gohan. Maybe like he had first intended.
So apparently Galu is using Sign because he has emotions in that state and it allows him to tap into this Saiyan Pride boost allowing him to take on Gas. So Sign is cool with rage and anger but UI perfected his emotionless and thoughtless. :galu
He already has the Cells of multiple fighters who were god level and were capable of defeating Orange Piccolo. No need for him to have any additions to make that possible.
I assumed the implication was that Orange Piccolo was due to Shen-Long's upgrade. He grants Piccolo's initial potential unlock, but then tells him he granted "something extra". The fact Shen-Long needed an upgrade in the first place implies even the basic potential unlock was beyond his power...