[Sabardeyn]

TheArtfulDodger,
For the immediate future, I cannot see calibre gaining this kind of automated functionality. At least until the ebook industry matures a bit more with standardized features and implementation as well as simplifying the number of ebook formats to be maintained (mainly through attrition).

There are way too many non-quantifiable, and subjective, variables. As well as trying to programmatically determine what criteria constitutes an update as far as users are concerned ("one man's trash,..." and all).

Because of these issues, calibre's current functionality is more feature rich. It better meets the user's needs by allowing customization of included content, within an ebook format, based on the availability of hardware features. Unfortunately it does so through a complex manual process.