Checking when starting the game is more likely I think. Once the game is running and you disconnect, it's no issue. With all the new OS functionality, processors and huge RAM they should be able to easily re-connect in the background.

Still, what happens when LIVE is unavailable for a few hours .. 

But then you can't trade games with your friends.

You bet they did! The playstation meeting thread has over 20 pages of this stuff!!

This seems unlikely at best; if it is true then you may as well put them out of the console race altogether.

If this is true it is most probably because 3rd wants it and then you can be sure this will apply to Sony and Nintendo also . But let's hope the best that before everything goes digital this will not come to us...

I would never buy a console that requires you to always be online or prohibits used games.

If both the PS4 and 720 had these features ( I seriously hope not) I'll be sticking to my PS3 indefinitely.

And what happens when it's 2017 and you really want to get a game from 2014 but you find that it's not in production anymore, what are you going to do then.

I agree, but i would get Wii U instead of PS4 if this turned out to be true

I can see most of this happening and Sony will follow in some way. The costs of games will rise with these next gen consoles.

** 1 million sales wont cut it anymore.

I dont see an always online console being succesful. So i dont see them doing this. If they do, it means its a no purchase for me.