The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.
In addition, disabling the “Other OS” feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.
Consumers and organizations that currently use the “Other OS” feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;
- Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
- Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
- Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
- Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later
For those PS3 users who are currently using the “Other OS” feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the “Other OS,” as they will not be able to access that data following the update.
Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here:
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm
PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services:
http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)
If that is what it takes for the PS3 to remain uncracked, so be it. I would never trade away the lack of online cheating in multiplayer games and zero piracy for Linux on the PS3.
This is outrageous!! It is not MY problem or anyone else who use the system normally, if someones hacking it for their OWN use. I thought we have the right to own our property once it is PURCHASED but it looks like you can just walk into my house and turn [DELETED] off. LEAVE MY PS3 THE WAY IT IS! if you do this, you better change your slogan or prepare to engage in false advertising.
sony: “It only used to do Everything.”
I am ashamed to call myself a sony fanboy.
anybody looking to uphold this in court?
Oh yeah I forgot they usually never put a parentheses around the v#offirmware.
This is the first time I’ve bothered to post a comment, but this is completely ridiculous. What are we going to take away next? Backwards compatibility? I use that quite often too, we should probably get rid of it too, right?
What the hell are you doing Sony?
Needs flash space to run PS2 games?
I have a PS3 Slim and I already can’t install Linux, but does not make sense to remove a feature (from old purchased consoles) without any explanation or a really great new feature.
I really don’t care that you are taking off the Other OS support, I had never used, and I don’t intend to use ever, but the problem is, that I have to install a FW update (we know that things might go wrong during a fw update) just to take out one unused option, and I’m not getting anything new some new option (DivX HD Support, Cross-Game Chat, SkyPE support etc) or something to make me worthwhile this update … And still I will have to install an update …
If Sony removes the other OS feature they better add Open Office at least, or by my console back. Not everyone just plays games on the PS3.
Sony, how long do you think your console will remain unhacked? Its inevitable, unless you use Quantum Cryptography.
This firmware update is nothing more than a downgrade of older systems.
It doesn’t affect me but I can see why people are getting p/o’d about it.
@444
Yes they do.
*https://blog.playstation.com/category/firmware-playstation-hardware/
Sony, please don’t do it. This news has practically hit me like a storm.
I bought PS3 because it had certain features like the Other OS, PS2 compatibility and free online gaming. You’re eating those features from me one by one by releasing updates like these which are supposed to limit piracy on PS3. Come on! We all know that PS3 didn’t broke at first because it wasn’t popular platform enough. Now that it’s more popular it will be broken so that people can run pirated games on it no matter what you guys at Sony do. Blu-ray was and still is a great way to limit people whom are even able to pirate PS3 games because of it’s huge size. It’s not practical to get pirated games on PS3.
I am using other os currently for various things like running Apache server and studying Cell programming on it since it is (was) the cheapest box where to do it.
And I am not going to give up my online gaming easily because of this update. But hey, if I have to choose between Other OS and free online gaming on PSN, I will choose Other OS.
Wait what so will this remove my current linux install because if it does I am going to be really mad I use the linux side for learning cell coding been following the MIT Course on it. Please say this is an April Fool’s Joke Sony PLEASE. Do not take this away from me
I have never been mad at sony in my life… but are you FUC*ING SERIOUS!
You are going to let 1 hacker take away from all of us.
This is soo low… I payed good money for my 600 dollar ps3… i have a right to use a feature that was given with it.
Sony’s forming it’s own economy…..(I bought fat for the otheros feature and what’s now security purpose [DELETED]????with this firmware sony will not be able 2 dominate the market!!!!!!
First they removed >>>>PS2 compatability
>>>>>Now other OS feature
Degrading the MOnster machine…with little firmware……..
One day or another this world will be Hacked!!!!!!!!
I’d be upset if I wasn’t a new adopter with the Slim. This had better be a joke because of how stupid it is. Additionally, one would think the fix for correct Gregorian Leap Year programming would be in the next update as even I can program that.
Comment 403 is worth reading.
Is this for real? c’mon sony stop screweing us, this “update” only disables a feature? wow awesome ¬¬
hopefully this is an April fools joke and the REAL update brings us cross-game chat and PS2 backwards compatibility
Yet another EPIC FAIL for a PS3 Firmware update. All these months of nothing new and we get this???
It Only Does Everything? Umm yea right, how about reading your PlayStation Blog Share Sony or is that just for show?
Xbox 360 is for the win lately, it seems.
this is your april fools joke right…ah you got me!!
explanation: security rise
1 day:horses will eat each other
2 day:disabling the “Other OS” feature
3 day:dead will stand up from the grave
Honestly, this is probably the dumbest update you could’ve possibly crafted. Get bent.
Yes I didn’t notice it said April 1, please tell me this is an April fools joke and a really good update is finally coming.
Hi All,
On 02/26/2010 04:30 AM, David Woodhouse wrote:
> On Fri, 2009-08-21 at 09:58 -0700, geoffrey.levand at am.sony.com wrote:
*SNIP*
>> Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
>> the support for previously sold models that have the
>> “Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will
>> not be disabled in future firmware releases.
*SNIP*
^^^^ Fuc*ing Liers
this has to be an april fools joke. I’m hoping they do drop an update, but with some more positive functionality changes. ;P
first they give us a garbage god of war 3 story and now this? wtf
Well, I am complaining to SONY about this. Another feature stripped away. Great business model, Sony. Once the games need 3.21, I guess I am done.
don’t stop guys i almost start to believe that i need “Other OS” feature))
FCUK YOU $ONY!
heres the problem… it was sold to us as having an “other os” function AND online funtionality. see that??? AND!!!!!! not one or the other!
enjoy your class action!
Does Microsoft ever remove features from their console?
I’m wondering how many phone calls Sony going get lol? Wait FW doesn’t come on Thursday? It comes on Tuesday? lol.
Another GREAT (sarcasm) decision by the fine executives at Sony Computer Entertainment…
and who can forget these other great blasts from the past:
“$599 US Dollars!” – PS3 launch is followed by stacks of PS3 consoles sitting on shelves.
“Rumble is last gen!” – The DS3 is introduced 2 years later
“Backwards compatibility is a core value for the PlayStation brand” – Sony removes PS2 compatibility on new PS3 models less than 1 year after launch
Features cut from the PS3 since launch:
Card readers
Ability to play PS2 games
2 USB ports
Linux support
SACD support
…probably more I am forgetting
Sure, not all of those things are a big deal, but the list is growing… Consoles are supposed to evolve with new features when you make revisions, not remove features that some people specifically bought the system for.
We all come here because most of us are supporters of Sony through thick and thin, but they really are pushing it every time they take something away. What will be the next feature you guys remove?
Please stop with the useless updates that do nothing, and start talking about the things we do want like cross game chat (been asking for the for over 3 years now!)
This is what I’ve been waiting for. I was hoping you’d remove the install other OS ability from the console I paid for. Now if only you’d remove the backwards compatibility altogether (not just ignoring support like usual), I’ll REALLY have a reason to regret my purchase. But wait, if I don’t install it, I won’t be able to play certain ps3 games and Blu-rays! Excellent move! Now I’m really glad I didn’t choose the 360.
Seriously, Sony. If you keep removing/ignoring features that were deciding factors in my purchase of an 80gb ps3, I’m not going to upgrade to a slim. In my eyes, the ps3 is losing any real advantages it had over the 360, and very quickly it seems.
OK dont care the other OSs’ are slow anyway not too mention it takes 10gigs to run also the looks are old. SONY how bout plugging up a 360 then compare the features it has that u dont but fans want does that sounds hard. I starting to see alot of prejudice 360 owners( especially G4tv)
I don’t care one bit about whether or not my PS3 has this feature, however I’m terribly disappointed that there’s nothing being added. I hope the next update comes soon and has something good.
…BESIDES STEREOSCOPIC 3D!!! I’m gonna be really annoyed if I waited this long to ONLY get ONE feature that I can’t use.
Cross-game voice chat soon please????????
Oh dear gracious, I didn’t see the April 1 update date. I feel like an idiot for my angry post. You win, Sony, nice one.
@381 – no. it is the removal of a feature that could potentially lead to hackers/cheaters/pirates exploiting the system. when you purchased your unit, it was able to use the feature. t was not advertised as having the feature when it did not, this is not a case of bait-and-switch.
Sony you are afraid of that hacker Geo-hot the one who finally hacked the PS3 so now u pull this stunt seriously people wait for updates hoping they are great ones and u do this >.> it’s a shame you take one step forward and jump three back Sony.
Assuming this isn’t a joke, it’s really lame. Just when PS3 Linux was starting to get interesting again with Zerogame.
I really don’t see how this will help stop potential piracy at all. I mean, in order for Geohot’s hack to be truly viable for mass consumption it would have to lead to the discovery of some software exploit which could then be used to compromise other systems, ideally without using OtherOS at all. I can see where Sony coming from here, but the hackers won’t be affected by this update and if they make any headway, eventually it won’t matter that this feature is gone.
All that will end up happening is the people who use OtherOS now will get annoyed. As one of those users, I would ask Sony to reconsider, but since they won’t I’ll just have to get used to the idea that they only way to have an ultimate media hub is to build an HTPC. It just would have been nice if my PS3 could have filled that role.
Do what you will Sony, just don’t even think about touching my PS2 compatibility.
This is absolutely ridiculous.
if it isn’t a joke better be prepared for class action.
and no i’m not using this feature.
But you can’t take features from MY ps3.
hope it’s april f joke
Hi Patrick, could next update address these issues?
1.Please allow the option to choose the “system start-up” I want.
a. Original “Sony Computer Entertainment/ classical music”.
b. New “PS3/ neo-classical music”.
2. Allow me to have the XMB icons/words stay visible or fade.
3. Allow me to turn on/off the “adticker” in top right corner.
4.Please allow me to choose which “media boot-up” screen I want.
a. Original “PLAYSTATION 3/ jingle” splash screen.
b. New “black screen/ no jingle”.
The original splash is comfortable and heart warming!
5. Please bring back basic black! I want the old black colour theme with my sparkles please! PSP has lots of colours to choose from PS3 doesn’t.
6. Allow me to turn off the Whats New icon, completely removing it from my XMB.
7. Allow multiple profiles to login on same console for each controller in use & earn trophies (just like 360).
Everyone loves customization. Many PLAYSTATION 3 users would use these XMB options.
Thanks for your hardwork, I know Sony is trying to make PS3/PSN/XMB better,I appreciate that. I know SCEA may not be responsible for the changes, so please let SCEI know too.
Going bed by time I get up at noon this thing be over 1000 comment long lol.
yay! i love it when you remove features! can you remove the ability to play ps3 games in the next firmware update? that would be awesome!
Who cares? Its a feature that only 10 people use. I don’t want the PS3 to get ruined by hackers like the PSP was.
Sony’s pulling a gangbuster move. Like many have said, thee next update better be tight. Maybe some news on all the ideas we’ve been sharing with them for free while they’re at it.
So I get to decide between two different key features and which is more important to me? This is extremely unfair.
I feel like sony is taking a step back by doing this. What was the point of many of people spending a bunch of money to be the first to own a PS3 just to have features taken away from us later on. If do this shouldn’t we get some money back form this then. What was the point of offering these features if you take them away later!! A bad move on sony part.
Seems like a long way to go for a prank doesn’t it?
I mean who springs an April Fools prank 5 days early?
Look at the backlash and ‘panic’ its already started.
If it’s really a joke it would be terrible for buisness and leave customers to question their trust with SONY.
Im saying this is probably a true event….doesnt affect me either way. I got 3 PS3 slims, can’t use that feature anyways.
I support anything to improve security on my PS3’s
Wow I am really dissapointed in this Sony. I much enjoyed having a linux experience on the PS3 as well as utilising the power of the cell to render my models in Blender. Perhaps Sony can release a more closed linux platform to install on the PS3 in the future.
I bought my PS3 fat to less than a month, one of the last fat market. I paid a lot more expensive than a PS3 without any OS (PS3 slim). I use all day my linux, and now I can no more use it? that joke is this? I’ll want my money back because I enjoyed buying this model because I knew I was running out, and now you come with that?
Do not do it sony, you will be losing much.
@469
Distribution of Firmware updates for PS3 since launch:
Sunday 1
Tues 11
Wed 7
Thurs 12
Friday 4