As far as we can tell, this is absolutely nothing like an "always online" situation, or the Day One patching issue. This is an initial activation process for a new device. Nothing recurring, unusual, or unseemly.
Unfortunately, this has been slagged for serious input lag problems. I'm always tempted when it comes up cheap, but probably not worth it at any price.
Because it's what/how they want to be. What's not to understand? Doesn't make it right, any less single-minded, or even twisted in certain cases, but it's pretty clear to see.
Simultaneous two-player from unique perspectives. Every single cab was a dual side-by-side unit, which was carried through with 3. It's obvious why they can't build these home units to accommodate the later games.
Got nothing to do with anything. You buy plates for a certain console to use on that console; you don't plan for them to somehow fit the complete revision that later on comes out. That just doesn't work, never has.
You have a problem with them going after third-party plates (I did too, though...
No idea why anyone would expect external plates for launch consoles to fit on this kind of revision. Every major console refresh comes with a completely different shape and size - i.e. the "Slim" concept we've been talking about since the PS2. This is nonsensical.
Except, theoretically, for the bottom line of the platform-maker. Thank goodness Sony of all companies sees fit to make the right decision in rare occasions like this.