"We recently reached a major milestone and now we are happy to announce that we are in the process of finalizing our support for 3DS systems running System Firmware 9.0.0-20 / 9.1.0-20J / 9.2.0-20 natively!"
I agree that this indeed means that they have found a way to run their existing cards (since we've had confirmation that there will be no need for alternate hardware) and run ROM's on the mentioned firmware without additional exploits or workarounds like emuNAND. I also don't think that this is necessarily something a lot of people "missed".
Though I don't agree that that has to limit it to single-ROM support and done.
Simple reasoning? SKY3DS found a way to load up multiple ROMs from the same card. And are using a button (hardware cycle) to switch.
I see no reason why a similar such cycle can't be implemented for Gateway - although they would indeed likely need a SSSpwn-like entry to get their program running or otherwise make the card able to recognize buttonpresses/signals from the device in some way or another.
I have no doubt in my mind that Gateway will attempt to find a way to expand on those features. For the sole reasoning that Gateway wants their product to be sold.
And if all they have to offer for 9.x is single-ROM support then the competition simply is more interesting for a lot of people.
Sure, they'd still have the 4.x entry where they are basicly in full control - but as we've noticed, a lot of people aren't willing to put in the effort to get such a device or discount it out of hand assuming it'd be too difficult/expensive.
More importantly, even if 9.x would be single-ROM only and they can't find another way in to get additional functionality.
Untill the 3DS gets its support dropped and Nintendo switches completely to N3DS or another future device, there's always future exploits to be had.
And if/when the support does come to an end its always time for the brute force entry. (Though I suspect that that will be atleast a few years into the future.)
So no need to get all worried or anxious. If there's a way, they'll find it - if there isn't, then no point worrying.
That said, dammit Gateway, send out an update already - by F5 button is wearing thin~ =P