I *really* don't want this to be a Gold vs PSN+ argument or why I hate PSN+ thread, I'm mainly just curious why automatic updates aren't part of the standard Playstation experience.

I was reading an article about the much hyped 3.72 firmware and they happened to mention the automatic update option for PSN+ users.  That got me thinking-- why isn't that option available to everybody?

I can understand something like cloud saving being a PSN+ feature because that actually costs them something but letting people having automatic updates costs Sony nothing. 

First off, they want everyone to update.  If they didn't want you to absolutely have that firmware update they wouldn't make it.  So why wouldn't they want to make it easier to force updates on people?

Second off, updating the PS3 is a pain and they know it.  I read an article on the Vita a few days ago where they acknowledge updating the PS3 sucks.  They have the tools to make that easier on people so, again, why don't let people have them?

Theoretically everyone updates eventually so it's no strain on Sony like cloud storage might be and it would be a great timer saver to people.  I know I hate turning on my PS3 to watch Netflix and then have to sit through 10-30 minutes of updating and would love to have that feature.  The other PSN+ features don't interest me much but if I knew I didn't have to sit through updates, I might just be enticed to use my PS3 a bit more than I do.

They're going to use every possible way to try to get people to upgrade to PSN+.

Because PSN as a whole still costs Sony money, and they want people to pay for improved service, so it stands a better chance of making them some money.

I'm guessing they needed to offer something extra for PS+ users to get them to sign up for the service. I agree that it should be an option for everyone, and not just PSN+ users, as it's helpful in not having to sit there and update while you can be playing games (I assume most people who have it on, do the auto-updating while sleeping). Another option they should have for everyone is the auto-syncing for trophies, which is another PSN+ feature that was recently added.

Without auto update + is worth the effort, this is just really nice icing on the cake.

it doesn't cost MS anything to allow netflix to run though their hardware and yet they put it behind live...

simple answer - business make business decisions.

Because they want to give people reasons to go PS +

IMO they should have kept it free. But then again I am ok with the updates it doesn't take that much time anyway.

The thing with something like Netflix is it's something that can actually entice people to buy into it and it's an optional service that does put a strain on their network (or some network at least).

Updating is something everyone has to do and something Sony should really want us to do.

So you're not annoyed when you turn on your PS3 to do whatever it takes 10-15 minutes to update?

I agree it's not the largest issue, it's a minor one even, but pretending it doesn't exist is silly.

I think it has to do with the continuous changing of their end user agreements. Each update brings a new agreement the user must accept and they probably want that forced electronic signature. PSN+ users probably have some other way of signing that change as part of their monthly/yearly dues.