I bought a cheap Wii Mini just as a curiosity really, and found that it has a brake to stop the disc spinning when the lid is opened. I have never seen this implemented in a console with a top loading drive before.
I have never used a PS2/3 slim so wasn't aware of that. If I remember correctly weren't there warnings about not touching/stopping the discs while they were still spinning in older top loading consoles? I might be being stupid, but I always thought it was to avoid damaging the spindle motor and not for avoiding personal injury. The brake is a very simple but effective inclusion that is probably overlooked by most people.
Unless it was in the manual somewhere I don't think so, the only thing they were adamant about was not touching the laser. I think it's more of a convenience than anything, open it up and the disc is ready to take out, rather then stopping the disc with your finger before taking it out. Possibly to help the discs from getting scratched as well? I don't see how you'd damage the spindle motor if all it's doing is winding down.
