If they did add BC, couldn't Sony just add that feature in current 40gbs with a firmware update or something?

Well, if this is true, then I don't see why the first bit of news that ANYBODY has heard would come from a store clerk. That said, it would actually be pretty easy for Sony to add the software BC on in a year or so. When the die cast shrinks like it does every year, they will be able to have more memory for the same space and since more memory would be available, Sony should be able to just load up the BC on it. So, I don't see why even the 40g cheapo version won't get it eventually.

I stopped listening to store clerks a while back, they usually just tell the biggest load of BS! Untill Sony release a statement confirming this then its best just to assume that she was on something :D lol.

A BC 40GB PS3 wouldn't be too bad, but it seems like the normal version is doing well anyway. If they did release a BC version it would have to be in the same price bracket as the original 40GB, or reduce the price of the non-BC one and introduce the BC one at that price (e.g. £299 in the UK)

Memory space that could be used for BC or another mini game or two from the PSN. 

you know they are going to , after all they have to since they said it was an old fature that wasnt really important--i mean that should have red flagged it for a repeat on the machine

There have been no updates to the backwards compatibility for the 60GB EU PS3 for a long while because they said they want to look to the future and ecourage people to buy PS3 games rather than using PS2 games

I have a feeling software emulation will be up soon, the architecture for the PS2 was a bitch and a half to program for so I'm sure there biting themselves in the ass this time around :P but the PS2 library is just to big to pass up for there PSN downloads, knowing Sony there going to milk every last time they can from PS2 software, the emulation is inevitable.

That would make "me" pissed, very pissed, as I've just bought an European PS3 as well "without" BC. If this would happen, I'll sell my Pal PS3 right away.

Perhaps BC is not as important as with my JP PS3, as I still have my Pal PS2, but BC with a PAL PS3 would have been nice and so I could drop the PS2 games in the PS3 instead of fussing around with different consoles.

*grr* The confussion.

you could also just get a PS2 and hook it up when you want to play

I'd jump on a 40GB w/BC at $399. Definitely sounds too good to be true, and like a whole lot of backtracking on previous statements issued by Sony already though.