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)
so those words go through, but the sentence is not allowed..weird!
Terrible update. I will not be updating.
i think sony really is feeling the pressure if they start to limit our speech in simple sentences…
I called sony and the guy laughed on the phone and said that corporate does not care!
————————————————————————————————
If Amazon HAVE offered a refund based on someone sending them a complaint then corporate will care very much over the next few days.
I will not update.
Sony promised they weren’t removing Other OS from the Fat when the Slim was released back in November. Looks like someone didn’t get the memo.
I’d post more specific information, but the mods keep deleting. Not too hard to find in Google though.
..It’s a low blow. But contacting your retailer and informing them about an unexpected loss of functionality might make them inclined to compensate you for it, yes.
@maniashed
You got the guys name who laughed about it? I suggest collecting all the names of the customer service staff, supervisors, managers of Sony. So once someone does start a class action lawsuit against them we have additional information.
“just dont be surprised when your all shot down in flames. and the other os is still gone”
Nope, OtherOS is not gone. PS3 games is gone.
First, I keep what is more important to me (OtherOS), secondly I hit SONY where it hurts (No more games from me)!
besides, i could type all the words, and not be moderated, but when i put them together in a negative light for sony, then it is moderated…
does your logic have a short circuit?
Ah and … The only game I’ve buy a PS3 was for Gran Turismo 5.
So, I will keep my new OtherPS3, and peharps I will find, if ever it is released, a bundle PS3 Slim + GT5 where SONY will loose much more money !
@ Reinheart
It was actually me who it happened to and no I didn’t, I tried explaining my possition of the situation. The guy pretty much said nothing was going to change and that it was a “blanket” (his words) corporate policy. He then said that we had discussed all we could and when I tried to further explain he said “bye have a nice day” and hung up.
@FritoZ
Guessing multiple word filter ‘maybe’
h&cked
play pirated games
it sounds like the customer service reps were advised to be rude and disrespect all customers, as i just called also, and received the same treatment..
h t t p ://www.destructoid.com/mi6-sony-claims-to-have-lost-the-arrogance-as-a-company-169628.phtml
hehehe
Nice job removing a feature I really like.
PART 1 on Why Sony should relent.
I will not accept the new firmware and preserve my rights. I think there is a basis for some major lawsuits (not by me, but I will happy be a class member), and let me explain why:
1. People who bought PSN games (online) who longer have access to PSN (player matching / MMORG [think FFXI]- can’t login/play w/ friends) have a basis for lawsuit under the US Postal Wire Fraud Statue (because you conducted your transaction online), and I can state for a fact there are at least thousands, if not in the millions. Your online interactions purchases related to DLC, yup, may end up costing Sony millions, as each one constitutes one transaction- because you can no longer interact with online which was the original intent of the software or at least be used for its original intent, if you dont accept new changes.
Wire Fraud convictions have severe penalties. Not only can Sony be sued, the individual software companies that made the software can be named as additional defendants. Think about that people — Sony/PS3 Software vendors.
Continued (Pengy)
WARNING WARNING
Sony is moderating comments from everybody.
I can’t comment ANYTHING with my other PSN Account.
Way to go, Sony.
:(
I do know now what those SACD users felt when Sony dropped support to this feature. I never really cared back then to wonder “will this happen to me?” I’ve read a few post that are good enough to applaud. Not everyone has the legal knowledge to understand some of the clever points shown by the few guys here. Is not just like you can go and copy and paste an EULA and say, you see, right there, it says “with or without notification”. Legal comprehension goes beyond that, if not, everyone here could defend themselves at court and act as their own lawyer. Besides, US law doesnt usually apply for everyone but US citizens, residents or people that accept a legal contract that doesnt contradict their domestic laws and regulations.
The way Sony shut us up: blocking our comments.
That is the BEST company ever!!
This is BS!!! ¬¬
Part II
2. In the “Discovery” process (that’s when FBI raids Sony offices of all their cabinets/haul away all their computers), Sony is required to keep (stop shredding information) all documentation — this will go back to the launch date, and before launch (even for Japan) of the documentations on whether they thought it was “a computer”. Their corporate name Sony COMPUTER Entertainment of America pretty makes makes them fighting the point moot.
They know they cannot take the “COMPUTER” away from you, that’s why they need your ACCEPTANCE to update.
The reason this was floated out 3 days early was that this is a trial balloon, and I hope Sony sees what a lead ballon this is before their corporate lawyers pound some sense into the management how much liability they’re in for. The management will not listen to you, the customers, but they will listen to the lawyers, when they start talk about big numbers in liability (and wire fraud = prison time). Settlement will be done before that time comes.
Continued (Pengy)
anyway, on a personal note I do feel extremely disappointed by this decision from sony. I don’t use OtherOS as many other users here but I do have linux installed and I think is a great “backup” pc when mine’s down (yeah, it happens) to keep doing my University work while getting the pc fixed. I’ve use it a few times for this reason and even if we are 1%users using linux, thats a lot of users, users who mostly paid 600$ on day launch, not counting those who paid 150$ later to get their machine fixed. I gotta go and do the DNS fix. Life cycle of a hardware product should be determined not by its software but by the hardware itself, at least on my opinion
Part III (Sorry)
As a consumer, in order to remain a CLASS member, when the time comes, is you need to assert your right by signing a piece of paper that said I didn’t update my firmware (didn’t buy into their BS), didn’t break any laws (I’m not plugging it back in to PSN), I’m not using any new DNS workarounds.
I’m a law abiding citizen, using my Playstation 3 as a computer, as an entertainment system. Yes, system is many parts, which equal a computational device, and entertainment device (online is part of that, Sony, remember that). That was what the device was made for. The lawyers will ask to see my PS3, and they will see my games, and an untempered PS3 beside hard drive upgrade.
You must do the same. People in 3 different continents (I hope) will do the same. Sony will look at the cold numbers (Lawsuits from 3 different continents, Antitrust from Europe, Wire Fraud from US, may have less luck in Japan, but I know our friends are fierce Samurais) unite, and Sony will have to relent because their lawyers tells them so.
Pengy
Would you three STFU and get back on topic!
I’m not sure if this has anything to do with the update but ever since I updated to this mandatory patch my Call of Duty matches keep dropping and stalling, anybody else having problems?
Sorry, would you TWO STFU and get back on topic.
200 meg download inconvience to protect Sony shareholders by removing ability for your customers to run software they have the right to run on hardware they own. Classy. Homebrew does not equal piracy. I don’t understand why Sony is so paranoid. The Xbox 360 and WII are both easily hacked and have better attach rates than the PS3 still. Sadly enough the WII is only console of this generation that truly allows you to run any software you want to run on YOUR hardware (after defeating their pathetic attempt at DRM). Piracy is wrong but hardware suppliers getting to decide exactly what software you can run (even software you could otherwise legally run) is equally wrong. Just shows that once again Sonys media side of the company is ruining their once might electronics division.
www. examiner. com/x-12218-Video-Game-Examiner~y2010m3d30-Handson-PlayStation-Move-A-look-at-the-future-of-gaming?#comments
People might want to start commenting on things like this and point out to these reporters what has been going on this weekend.
@Grave79 you must feel dumb now adding an unnecessary hyphen.
www. destructoid. com/mi6-sony-claims-to-have-lost-the-arrogance-as-a-company-169628.phtml
QUICK SONY!!!
STOP THIS SCIENTIST!!!!!
h t t p://gizmodo.com/5508116/hacking-nerves-to-revive-paralyzed-limbs
make my body more “secure”
@Grave79 lol at your pathetic excuses. how sad.
@Grave79 “Or should I say ‘you’re” terrible grammer LOL”
it’s spelled GRAMMAR. dumbass much?
Thank you for contacting the FTC. Your complaint has been entered into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide. Your reference number is:
26023668
———————–
Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau’s Online Complaint System.
Your complaint has been assigned case # 57166464.
Correspondence regarding this complaint will be emailed to : [email redacted]
Please print a copy of this for your records.
Filed on : April 2 2010
Filed by :
Brandon Bradley
[address redacted]
Filed against :
Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
919 E Hillsdale Blvd 2nd Floor
Foster City CA 94404-4247
Ladies and gentleman allow me to clarify a direct point. The eula or tos. They state that sony can update software at any given time they choose without consent of the consumer. True it does. However, UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW dictates that any after market modification made by either consumer or manufacturer is illegal without the prior consent of the opposite party.. As always the law overruales any legal contract as u cant legally enter into any agreement which breaks the law in itself. this thereby renders the eula and tos that sony provides both null and void.
Funny how Sony quit caring and supporting the OtherOS functionality after their bid to get the PS3 imported under lower computer tariffs instead of higher consumer electronics failed. I thought it uncharacteristic of a control freak company like Sony to actually lets its customer run whatever software they want. Its sad to see how far Sony electronics has fallen due to the much stronger Sony media. Kids seriously at one time Sony was the world leader in hardware. But then they bought a movie studio and now people largely ignore their big bag of hurt lock in DRM infested products.
ok now that i have made this clear please stop arguing the point of theu eula or tos as they dont count.
I didnt even kno about this feature till today and now im installing xubuntu before i upgrade just to see what its all about.
personally i dont think sony should have created such a beast they couldnt tame it without setting strict limitations.
i might as well go out and buy a xbox now
Quoting – improperlyages
“Ladies and gentleman allow me to clarify a direct point. The eula or tos. They state that sony can update software at any given time they choose without consent of the consumer. True it does. However, UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW dictates that any after market modification made by either consumer or manufacturer is illegal without the prior consent of the opposite party.. As always the law overruales any legal contract as u cant legally enter into any agreement which breaks the law in itself. this thereby renders the eula and tos that sony provides both null and void.”
+1 You noobs saying EULA read what he said and go do some homework to research on this before you keep on saying Sony has every right to do this.
this is affecting third party software sellers too:
h t tp: // codecsys.fixstars.com/en/personal/
oh [DELETED] we got us some lawyers on our side
argument 2- false advertising
sony does note on all ps3 and game packaging that they allow access to the psn. thuis they are granting u access upon syystem purchase and with each game. now the ps3 box itself does not specify a firmware requirement so it can’t be restricted from accessing the psn(read letting u sign in). however certain games do directly state they require certain firmware to operate. cool. again as long as ur firmware is at least the number indicated they are legally bound to grant u access to any and all features paid for. since no game already released could possibly require fw3.21 as it was just released sony is violating the law by restricting u from playing online or downloading current software updates for specific titles.
Withholding this feature from PS3 Slim purchasers was fair, at least they knew what they were getting into.
To retroactively disable this feature (saying now I must choose between using my PS3 as an up-to-date game-console / media-center) OR boot my Linux partition is the worst [DELETED] I’ve received from ANY company as far back as I can recall.
The whole POINT of getting a PS3 was that it could do everything. I didn’t have to hook up yet another device to my HDTV for the sake of experimenting in Linux.
It no longer does everything. It is no longer a general purpose tool as it was when I bought it.
I am EXTREMELY [DELETED].
I’m not big on consumer loyalty… frankly the PS3 is the only SONY product (except for consumer camcorders) which has interested me. But I was curious about SONY 3D HDTV as it applied to PS3 videogaming. I’m no longer curious.
argument 3- theft of service
when u purcahse the ps3 and its games they are not just a product. by advertising the psn function this purcahse is also including the psn serrvice. no the service is not free. every system purcahse and game purchase is money for sony which also goes into maintianing said service. no agreement was made requiring specific firmware for said service therefore acces to said service can not be restricted based on firmware specifications.
Its classless moves like this (and rootkits for your customers computers, inventing Spore DRM, etc) that secretly make me cheer Blue ray has been a bit of a flop and put Sony in the desperation business mode it is currently in. Hows that attach rate Sony on your unbreakable console? Oh worse than then the easily hacked Xbox 360 and Wii plus you have sold less consoles, that stinks. Hehehe.
argument 4- consumer deception/misleading
the new update clearly states that is optional. how so? by not updating u will be restricted from accessing prior functions that were already paid. by handicapping the system should u choose not to update they are in esssence making this update mandatory for ur system to maintain FULL functionality. this is again illegal. they cant strip away something u pay for. even if they have a shiny new eula or tos staing that they will take away service if u dont upgrade it doesnt matter shuld u choose to decline to agree. by not agreeing to update u r also refusing to be blocked out of the psn based on ur firmware.
intresting: h ttp : // ps2dev.org/news/April_Fools!
I like this feature, part of the reason I bought a PS3 over an Xbox 360. I wanted the freedom to use it with linux. This is an Epic FAILURE by Sony Playstation. Seriously, I refuse to get the update. If they dont change it back in the near future (I have one of the older thick playstations) I will be selling my PS3 and picking up a different gaming system. Very disappointed
Not to mention the update has nothing to offer in return of taking something away. Extremely Frustrating