And to answer the original question, don't hold your breath on firmware updates from Sony. Traditionally, the only updates we get from Sony for the readers is when Sony decides to change their business model and realizes they have to update their readers to work with the new model. For example, when Sony switched from LRF format to ePub they released updates. Recently, when Sony decided to add lending capability for the 950 and added Google Books they updated the firmware for the 950. Unfortunately, these rare updates rarely, if ever, seem to address known issues or shortcomings.

Kudos to Amazon and B&N for releasing updates that actually address issues and add functionality the users want. Sony's corporate thought on firmware appears to be if you want improvements buy next year's model.