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)
Trouble is we’re not used to companies actually taking functionality away from our products but adding more, so we been conditioned to just click the OK button. Most companies try to improve on their products. Hell, not even Microsoft shafts you this bad.
It only does … less than what it could when Sony sold it to you.
8)
@RedRider208
If you read what is written on your PS3 box, you can find they give you, when you buy your PS3, a free access to the PSN.
But, either by refusing to update (And so refusing the CLUF), they take you away from PSN.
Read which functionnalities you buy instead of always falling back to the ToS and EULAS.
I submitted an idea on the ‘Playstation Blog Share’, but I doubt it will be accepted.
The idea is :
Respect your custommers
You know, thoses which give you the money you like so much !
@ RedRider208
Problem is, I don’t understand the logic behind the update. Also, I don’t understand people who unjustly accuse others of stupidity. That really wasn’t called for. People do have a valid complaint.
(French) CLUF = EULA (English).
…………………………….. other o.s
playstation 3 it only did everything
……………………………. backwards compatibility
But, it’s supposed to do EVERYTHING !!
wow. whats with all the hostility. cheer up and play ur games
People who are commenting should put their perfectionism to good use by applying a job to Sony if they think they could do a better job. Personally, I could care less. It’s not like the Other OS feature is the base of the system: Gaming is.
I doubt they’ll keep the function down forever. What would be the logical choice:
1) Keep the function up while trying to repair it, and eventually fail.
2) Take the function down temporarily while trying to fix it; bring it back later once it’s fixed.
True, they didn’t say that they’ll bring it back up, but they also didn’t say that they wouldn’t.
Judging from the comments, patience is the one thing that most PS3 fans don’t have. They’ll bring back the function anyways when they see how silly people are that they’ll stop buying a system just because they took down a function that isn’t required.
If anything, the fans who hack are the unloyal ones. Why not bitch at them? After all, they’re the reasons the function is being taken down.
Illogical comments are illogical.
@ Apokiliptic_Kaos
Would love to. Can’t get on the PSN until Sony fixes this, though.
@Apokiliptic_Kaos
We don’t ask more. Playing our well paid games AND using our well paid OS.
I’m afraid I have to agree here that this was not a good choice. I managed to get my first gen PS3 within months of it’s release despite complications from the local Sony store, I ended up calling A VP of Sony US to complain about the treatment I received. Despite this I still purchased the device but of the features it -had-. I purchased an official copy of Yellow Dog Linux for it. The first game I played on my PS3 was actually in Linux on an an old Coleco-vison emulator (Zaxxon). I will -not- install this update.
My hopes go out the the hacker community to release an OS that will offer the features I choose to use. Prior to this I had no desire to run anything other than the official XMB, it did everything I wanted it to do. I understand that the EULA states what Sony can do with the software yet I will state the hardware is still very much mine to do with what I please.
I will also take the time to contact the companies who’s games I purchase an inform them that due to Sony’s polices I will be moving away from this platform and requesting they support alternate consoles if they wish to retain my business.
Ok, it seems that Sony disabled the feature “Other OS”.
The Support will get a letter from me and I will go to the consumer advice centre and may be to a lawyer. Now I have hardware and games and software for round about 350€ and it’s equates not the stand for my buying decision.
The ko criterium between a xbox 360, wii and the ps3 was the feture “Other OS”.
Never Sony products and if somebody ask me for my meaning … it won’t be positive for Sony! You will buying a pig in a poke.
Best reards
For those of you that just keep dismissing this community by saying, “Just play your games” don’t seem to get it.
Sony sold this platform on multi-functionality, and while it is a great blu-ray player, the following functions have been stripped or neglected:
-the ability to run another OS (gone)
-the ability to browse the web (can’t run most flash these days)
-backward compatibility (never updated, games that their site said worked without errors do not, and I purchased these for that reason)
As an avid gamer, I’ve been praising the PS3 and advising friends who had to choose between systems based on the total entertainment package.
This not only damages their reputation, but those of us that supported them over their competitors that, at the time, had a better library of games and/or more accessible games for the general consumer.
“Here’s what i think:
– I bought a system i knew you could install linux on and now i cant use it anymore: false advertising on sony’s part.
– i paid $600 for it – reimburse me the difference if you take that feature away now: $300 you essentially stole.
– i have been an unoffcial spokesperson for ps3 ever since it came out. i have influenced about 30 people ( friends/teammates/co-workers) to get a ps3 over other systems. i have actually marketed the system properly via word-to-mouth in terms of what all the features on the system were, not just playing games. one of those features is having the ability to have linux installed on it. now i guess my job is to tell people what sony stands for, misleading people and ignoring them.
– i cant access the playstation store online anymore, i will not do the update. i guess they dont want my money anymore.
what do game companies think about this, losing a percentage of potential customers.
– i dont know anything about the hack, nor i want to know. so big whoop if there is a renegade nerd outthere who lives in his mom’s basement trying to act like his cool or something. i’m sure most of us dont care about whatever little hack he managed to achieve.
. . .Continued
– i think a class action lawsuit is the way to go if sony does not offer an alternative.
– it doesnt matter if you knew about linux or not, if you were planning to install it or not. its the principle about what they’re doing that really sucks. they have no standards and no initiative to come up with a better solution.
– what are they going to do next – tell us that we have to pay to play online on the playstation network with our friends who who all purchased a ps3 instead of another console because it’s supposed to be free.
– i paid for my system at the store, knowing what features i was getting. bottom line is that i now feel like i’m being cheated, ignored and disrespected. sony, i can honestly tell you right now i no longer have your company at the top of my list for future purchases and i will clearly point out to people of what your corporate, business and consumer ethics and morals are.
– i dont want to just be quiet and go away easily. if anyone wants to organize some kind of protes or something or sign a petition or anything to challenge their decision – post it, you certainly will have my support and i’m sure the support a others too.
thats it for now.
. . .Continued
i think a class action lawsuit is the way to go if sony does not offer an alternative.
it doesnt matter if you knew about linux or not, if you were planning to install it or not. its the principle about what they’re doing that really sucks. they have no standards and no initiative to come up with a better solution.
what are they going to do next – tell us that we have to pay to play online on the playstation network with our friends who who all purchased a ps3 instead of another console because it’s supposed to be free.
– i paid for my system at the store, knowing what features i was getting. bottom line is that i now feel like i’m being cheated, ignored and disrespected. sony, i can honestly tell you right now i no longer have your company at the top of my list for future purchases and i will clearly point out to people of what your corporate, business and consumer ethics and morals are.
– i dont want to just be quiet and go away easily. if anyone wants to organize some kind of protes or something or sign a petition or anything to challenge their decision – post it, you certainly will have my support and i’m sure the support a others too.
thats it for now.
For those like me, Linux gave us access to use a better media player & web browser, and allowed us to use software like Open Office.
The PS3 could be everything, but now it is less than it was and reduced to a TOY.
Give us updated functionality so that we can do everything we want, even if it is on the PS3 OS (for security), then we would not be as angry.
Ok, I created an account for this one comment. I’m a bit ticked now. firstly features have dropped one after another and now the one last feature that makes this a bit more interesting than other game systems is being taken away. I would think that in the face of the Wii that you would do SOMETHING to make staying with this game a bit more appealing. I for one plan to go to gamestop and trade mine in on a wii system, at least i’ve not heard of stuff being stripped away as often as this. THANX FOR NOTHING!!!
My guess is that Sony engineers lack the skill to deal with the piracy issues legitimately and Sony lacks the courage to try to attack the issue in court…explains the cowardace of their choice. Selfish, weak, dishonerable pansies.
tell me sony,are you listening?
ok i never installed other OS on my 80 gig, so its nothing for me on the update
but sony, why would you take away something that other users actually did use on their system
i was actually happy at first for a new update until i figured out they were taking things away from people
i thought we were getting new things for the systems but sony took away something from their customers
That’s why Sony personnel are not allowed to play FPSs…They’re all team killing dipwads.
You’d think that the money and face Sony lost when they got the bright idea to install root kits on PCs a few years ago would have taught them something. In the name of protecting their content, Sony lost the opportunity to become the premeire content distributer on the internet…we likely would have never seen Netflix and some of the others. My be is that this move will affect ther entire entertainment platform (Not just PS…people will start to wonder about their Internet enabled TVs, BluRays, etc.).
-This system software update includes all features contained in previous versions.
WHAT???
Hmm…last comment is “Awaiting Moderation”. Sony doesn’t want people thinking about all the implications. Maybe I should plan the bug in the press’s ear instead?
All features except the ones you are supposed to forget existed. C’mon man, play along: It’s a Jedi mind trick. Sony won’t have any fun if you notice.
Buy a Ferrari, get an old car …
It’s a shame !
Note to others: Last comment is :Awaiting Moderation too”. You need to understand that I only pointed out how this could be part of a larger scheme.
Maybe a ban of keyboards will be next.
There’s no technical reason Sony couldn’t do this to PSP, Cell Phones, Media PLayers, TVs or BluRay Players. Kind of Chilling if you put it in perspective.
So far the only Sony input I’m seeing in this conversation is: “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” everytime a serious statement is posed or a serious question is asked.
It’s user treatment like this that spawns superhackers. Or maybe Sony is hoping some hacker actually will come up with a decent OS that they can later sue to own?
without Linux? Then I return the ps3 and I want my money back
I hope George Hotz finds a way of downgrading im missing Linux already!
Come on Sony, if your egineering staff is too weak to fix the problem with code (likely since they never got PS2 emulation working right) or if your legal department is too weak to take on the hackers in court (likely since that legal department recommended the root-kit fiasco) just tell us the truth. If you really feel this way about your customers, tell us that too.
Either way we may still be able to do business with you but at least we’d know where we stand.
Looks like Microsoft is about to get a chance to play catch up. They even have a ready-made ad campaign.
Dont Blame The Hackers Blame Sony!!!!
Of course my last comment is “Awaiting Moderation” too…Basically I gave everybody the key yo winning a lawsuit if they’re so inclined (or at least building a creditable enough case to cause damage far in excess of any potential savings due this update).
This is ridiculous decision by Sony. I’m never buying a Sony product again. As a consumer we make our purchases based on features and functionality being advertised. When I purchased my PS3 this feature was one which swayed my decision to buy a PS3. Taking away a feature we paid for and expected after dishing out a ridiculous amount of money for the console; then only to take it away in this update is ethically and morally wrong. Sony should be ashamed. In addition to deny us the ability to play the games we purchased already unless we update is bs. This is the last straw for me. After the 3 day outage that occurred a month or two ago this was their 3rd strike on my list. I’m gonna trash my ps3 and go get a xbox.
Guess I’ll have to find an “Off Sony” blog. Any sugestions?
Wonder how much of an uproar there’d be if they took net browsing/SMS off my Sony Ericsson phone after I’d bought it?
Think I’ll be moving back to Nokia for my next smart phone. I didnt use Linux for much but this is one hell of a precedent they’re setting with this.
I don’t blame hackers. They are an inevetible part of any software/tech business model.
Sony is just incompetant at recognizing this and at dealing with them. Any competant technology company would have seen the positives and negatives of including “Install Other OS” (or any other feature) and would have weighed any costs of intrusion into their system against the benefits of offering such a feature.
Weeel…they let the first half of my prior comment through but they’re blocking my legal justification for a suit.
It’s winnable (or at least extremely costly) played my way and they know it.
Besides even though thier EULA contains verbage to allow for this, the EULA is not enforcable in this case and they know it…they hope this goes away. This isn’t a minor feature. It was one of the most heavily advertised features at release and a major cause for adoption. EULAs don’t gurantee a company’s right to substantially chance a product from it’s originally sold intent.
BTW Sony: I’d bet Microsoft and Nintendo will make sure this doesn’t go away.
It’d be easy to prove in court that the “Install Other OS” is a substaintial feature in the original models. Prior to this update all of Sony’s own promotional materials stated that it was.
It will be impossible in court for Sony to claim that this is not a subtantial feature and even if courts allow the update to stand, restitution, court costs, and bad public relations loom in Sony’s future.
bought ps3 in 2007.
april 2, 2010 downloaded update 3.21.
april 3, 2010 ps3 has yellow light; ps3 dead.
The only way WE are going to accomplish anything with Sony is to:
1: Boycot their products which of course for those people who stood by this company when most abandoned them for the 360, means ALL that money they put out on games and accessories now own junk. But as i see it, now with the update. It’s at that stage antways.
2: Get the word out everywhere you can think. Make how you feel known. We, the true fanboys of Sony are small in numbers, but they can’t argue that we spent way money cash on these systems then the average user. Tweet it, plaster it all over facebook.
GET THE MESSAGE OUT.
I bought the FAT system for ALL it’s capabilities, AS IT WAS ADVERTISED. I bought the slim for strictly gaming. AS ADVERTISED. So really this update only got me to shell out over $700.00 CAD on a system for nothing.
ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS WHAT WE PAID FOR. I really don’t think it’s an unreasonable request.
Dear Sony:
Sun Tzu would have had difficulty extracting himself from this one but he had only the insight of his own writings and the history that cam before him. I on the other hand had benefit of his counsel from the crib and knowing his mind the additional benefit of seeing more detail in life as I advanced through so many years.
You forgot yourself and your supply line (customers) while rushing too fast to an enemy you also don’t fully understand. Partly you were too hasty but partly you were too concerned that your people (customers) would blame their leader (Sony) if storms (hackers) destroyed their homes. The only thing you were responsible for here was warning that a storm (hackers) may be coming, strenghthening the levys (fixing liabilities in PS3 OS) and helping your people (customers) fortify their homes (PS3s).
Most of your customers own PCs and are aware that there are threats out there. They wouldn’t blame you for intrusion b the hackers…As to Copyright issues: they’ll always exist anyway. In fact the next logical things to expect will be a complete OS hack/replacement and or mod chips.