They said they are looking at it, however there has been no progress (at least usable for loading roms) at all for any firmware higher than 4.5 for years.
So while there might be a slim chance that we are able to update in the next few years I wouldn't count on it.
Everyone who has downloaded the 1.2 patch while 7.1 was the lastest firmware (and thus you could access the eshop) should be able to play X/Y online, even right now if I'm not mistaken.
Well, if we're lucky, they'll fix the problem that you can't use your saves from Scene Releases with 3DZ games, if not, they'll fix that 3DZ games could overwrite the saves of Scene Releases (e.g. by renaming the 3DZ saves to .savz like MT-Card does)
Sure, especially since we have full system access.
Also, the 3DS practically supports it ouf of the box, just that you can only have one savestate at the same time (just press home from within a game ;) )
You'd "only" need some gui to manage them.
I found that when I just remove the Gateway Cartridge when I put my 3DS in sleep mode significantly increases battery life.
Like from barely lasting one night to lasting several days in standby.