I heard somewhere that Nintendo was planning to create some kind of online experience for the 3DS and Wii U al a XBL and PSN, and that they'll have cribbed together something for the 3DS by the end of the year. My question is this: Has anything new emerged concerning this subject? A timetable for the release of the Firmware update associated with this new experience would be very nice.

A new firmware update is arriving, they said "before year's end" so it's safe to think it'll launch in October/November. But there are few details about it: an update for the eshop, for the friend list, a new channel in Europe ("Sky 3D") and new games for the Mii plaza. No mention of the connection with Wii U, but I guess that's due to Wii U's launch being postponed (which is just a rumor though).

What I'd really appreciate is an update that will allow my 3DS to play 3D Flash Animations, as well as unlock the QR Scanner so I can do more with it than scan new Mii's.I don't want to be bound by Nintendo Video's paltry film selection, and I don't want to pay through the nose for a Netflix subscription either. Also, I want to scan QR codes for things like coupons and free apps and documents and free games. Is that too much to ask?