Anything to keep the price of PS3 going down is good for us and good for Sony. Releasing this sort hardware update this year would build lots of momentum for the Playstation brand, and would help PS3 sales continue beyond even the release of the PS4 (end of 2013 timing seems perfect). I do not expect any Gaiki streaming integration for the PS3. I see no reason for Sony to play all their cards into a console nearing the end of its life cycle. That sort of functionality is necessary to launch new hardware with high momentum.
If all this happens along w/ a Vita price drop prior to the launch of Wii U, this could be a pretty significant in the long run. If the PS3 and Vita were each at $199 this holiday, Sony could really hurt the competition.
