Actually, thinking about this now, I tried to play PS1 games on my PSP about two years ago, but couldn't because they needed to be (re-)authenticated.

Sadly, there's NO way to authenticate PS1/PSP games on PSP anymore. Even connecting it to the PS3 via USB and trying to authenticate it didn't work.

(At least PS1 games still work on PS3 for now, though.)

I think about how much hardware and software is tied in to internet activation or fragile software like ios apps that need constant updating or they will be delisted.

All of this stuff is just starting to be shut down and deactivated now, the amount of ewaste is going to be massive. I now refuse to buy anything that requires an app or the interenet to use.

Supposedly you can still redownload your PSN purchases directly on the PSP itself (log in with a "Device Setup Password")? Unless like me you have a PSP Street, which sadly has no Wi-Fi.