This also means Nintendo must be extra careful with new firmware updates; a bad update could automatically brick millions of handhelds.

I wish my 360 and PS3 had this.  Oh wait, my PS3 does but I would have to pay for it.  :@

This is why I will never allow automated firmware updates on any of my console before I read up and see if that update has brinked too many people's console. If it is safe, I will proceed to update the system, but I prefer to be in control of my console.

So much for the software modders.

Unless you are modding your system or doing something else you aren't supposed to, you don't have to ever worry about your system being bricked by an update.

I am happy about this, this should help to fight piracy.

Both Microsoft and Sony have been sued by customers after their updates bricked unmodded consoles.  The update that added 1080p support to the 360 had a lot of bricking problems, as did PS3 updates 3.30, 3.50, etc.

So I wouldn't be that confident.

Since this a portable I don't intend on having it on at all times.  In fact I will probably ONLY have it on when I am actually using it.  They have to give you the ability to turn off a device that runs on battery power.  So that really only leaves auto-updates as I play as any threat to bricking my system.

But Spyke Nintendo can still brick your system without you doing anything wrong.  Programmers aren't perfect.  A bug in an update could fuck everything up.  Microsoft has caused damage with updates to Windows and just regular people doing normal computer things have been affected.  I trust that Nintendo has pretty good quality control but when you're going with an auto-update methodology you have to absolutely get it right.

I think they're just trying to be extra careful that everyone's digital clock is updated as soon as possible.

Not necessarily. I thought that the 3DS "receives special updates" when it's in its cradle. The cradle, I assume, is also the charger.

Automatic updates? No thanks.

Just like on my computer, nothing gains access to the internet for updates unless I say so. There's simply far too much opportunity for fuck-ups if you let the developers decide when and what gets installed.

This won't do anything to thwart piracy... nothing will. This merely has a high potential to cause legitimate customers hassle. These companies need to stop throwing away time and money on an endless battle against piracy and instead put more effort into making the best product they can for their actual customers.

This will end up only fuck over legitimate homebrewers and do next to nothing to fight piracy.

More importantly, is there any disadvantage in turning off SpotPass mode beside the lack of updates? Is SpotPass the new name for tag mode?

No, that is StreetPass. They are separate modes.

This will be a big blow to pirates. It won't stop piracy, but it WILL help slow it down.

They actually made background firmware upgrading a PSN+ feature? Wow, Sony... that takes some serious testicular fortitude.

Tag mode is a massive security issue IMO, it just takes some jackass writing a virus that can brick the 3DS and there will be hell to pay.

If firmware was primarily about the user experience then why are two in three Wii firmware updates only attempts at getting rid of the homebrew channel?

this is just like anything else (since I've joined the Linux world) all this automated stuff isn't for us, it's for the average user.  they will enjoy it (true so long as their systems keep working) and we will do our best to shut it off :-P