Backwards compatibility still likely to come with a later firmware update

This is something people have been talking about a lot lately, and while it won't come with the new PS3, we will say a future firmware update (possibly in mid-September) will mark the return of backwards compatibility for PS2 software. It'll be back to software emulation so it may only pertain to about 75-80% of the PS2's library, but it'll certainly emulate the major titles we'd all want to play again. Some believe we're far enough along in this generation where this is unnecessary, but with the insane longevity of the PS2 and the fact that so many people have one (and comparatively, so few people have the PS3), Sony decided to bring it back.

It's possible now with the onset of sales thru slim PS3, a software emulation is required to include the PS2 BC, which is the key factor to boost the sales rapidly, aforementioning above facts, which would be pretty similar to the  pace of Sept 2002- Jan 2003 sales of 169$ ps2.

Source? I also say that this is another vain attempt at fanboy wishing. Software emulation is harder than you people think. The patent means they will be attempting it soon, not that it necessarily will come to fruition.

And this information is from...?

^ this is probably just speculation, but I fully agree, especially in light of the patents that's come to light recently. I've been saying this for a long time, BC will come to all ps3s via firmware eventually.

Did the BC 80GB PS3 use some sort of software emulation to play PS2 games? I'm fairly sure it was different from the 60GB which used hardware.

All previous BC PS3s have needed at least some of the hardware found in the PS2 to run, even the later software emulation versions (60Gb). The launch models effectively had a PS2 within the system.

I can't remember which is which but essentially first PS3s had two chips to support PS2 titles, then later one was yanked to cut costs while the other was left in place with emulation to replace the other chip. This only gave partial support though and even supported titles could have glitches, etc.

For BC to return, unless Sony stick the chips back they would need to drastically improve the emulation. This is possible of course, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.