we will never be able to play the newer psp titles.
You can play them, it's just simply up to _you_ the user if you want to update it. I also seriously doubt a secret "update" procedure from disks, only checks. If the disk started running the updates w/o warning, the user would freak from the heat (as much as you guys cry from the slight heat from 333mhz, this would have you guys scream murder), and it is RECOMMENDED to have the system plugged into the charger while doing the process, as the power drain is intense, and the program doens't allow you to update if the battery is below 50% (from what i've heard); then I also know that it isn't a simple update of 10 seconds (heard roughly 5 minutes). If this is done w/o a user's consent, the person will obviously cancel the program and shut it off during the intallation phase. If the program is stopped during that phase, you now have a paperweight.
I doubt Sony would like it if a huge majority of people suddenly have their PSPs become paperweights... ;;>>