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)
Very disappointed Sony.
I bought my PS3 for using OtherOS and for play PS3 games (for as long as PS3 games are available). You are now removing the reason I purchased it, making it not suitable for its intended and advertised purpose. How about a refund?
“I personally bought this intending to use it as a server/media center system w/ Linux (obviously in addition to gaming)”
yeah .. right ..
you can totally run a media center in a tiny amount of memory, with no advanced video card features, on a custom build of the linux kernel, with no media center software available – and have to reboot the media center whenever you want to play a game.
of course. I believe that this has torpedoed your plans. Thousands wouldn’t, but I believe!
Well, guess I won’t be downloading this or buying any more games for my PS3, I’d get angry but it just doesn’t seem worth it.. I’ll just avoid anything SONY as much as possible
@533
Mike Action of IG *http://twitter.com/mike_acton/status/11231989708
IG uses Linux on the PS3 in their studio. They are not going to update their PS3 *http://twitter.com/mike_acton/status/11231989708
Jaymin Kessler of Q-Games *http://twitter.com/okonomiyonda
He not longer can do PS3 experimental development from home *http://twitter.com/okonomiyonda/status/11235266457
Happy?
Erm…don’t do that soni??
That phrase “It only does everything” doesn’t even apply anymore.
It’s now “It only does everything that 360 can do, with the addition of ripping features initially advertised”
@533
Mike Acton: Insomniac: Twitter Quotes:
*http://twitter.com/mike_acton
Confirmed. For real. :( RT @okonomiyonda Just talked to SCEI. OtherOS is gone forever. Wish I could fix bugs by removing features
No joke. We use these at the office too. We’re going to have to make sure that no one upgrades them.
JIT compiler for SPUs wouldnt exist without Linux/PS3; Putting a bullet on PPC innovation/work, one of the few affordable systems for devel
I agree, seems like this will *encourage* rather than discourage hacking, since to do homebrew there won’t be an alternative.
It’s noteworthy b/c until now SCE has always been supportive of the homedev community. PS1-Net Yaroze, PS2-Linux, PS3-Linux
Well some of us use it and like it. And for others it was the only practical way to develop on the Cell. So yeah, big deal.
You can also rent remote time on the blades. But the casual devs definitely aren’t going to pay.
etc etc
Which of those are first party developers .. ?
Did either get their info from somewhere other than this blog post?
Look I’m just pointing out that you should be suspicious of everything read on the internets until there is a proper confirmation.
This blog is “powered by wordpress” by the way. Not a great track record.
Anyway, my view is it doesn’t really matter. Such an update, if it is to come, most enrages users who had hopes to see a cracked platform very shortly. And that is fine, they can be enraged if they want. I just wish they’d be honest about it instead of whining about how much they love linux and were planning to install it and that is why they bought the system. That is just so much baloney for all but a very few individuals who actually wouldn’t be so childish as to moan about it in these blog comments.
Man if this is a joke trust me is not funny, and if it is true, then let me tell a thing, guess what i used both PSN feature and other OS, and like other people who use linux on the PS3, i have done too much, and i think that as a consumer i bought a PS3 of 80Gb because it offer that feature to me, and how could you dare to remove a feature, that was include with the product, SONY YOU’RE NOT CONSIDERING THE CONSUMERS, but the only thing that im seeing is that you people are regreting of your starting ideas, what happened with the super machine that the PS3 was?, it cant do backwards compability, now you are removing Other OS feature, where the “IT DOES EVERYTHING” thing is going?, are you trying to deceive consumers with that campaign?, is not our fault that you had to remove it from the new model,think a little hard SONY,I think that you are going on the wrong path removing features on the PS3, that came with it, if you’re not happy with the PS3 stop doing reckless things and release the PS4 with all what you want, but please be safer with your ideas and be more creative so you dont have to use technology that the competition use.
Oh geez, I hope nobody finds an exploit in the game boot process or they’ll take out the game playing option :O
But I mean nobody uses that anyways so whatev’s amirite
I gotta say that taking this feature away and not giving anything in return that we have been clamoring for is a horrible move. At least tell me that I will get ps2 compatibility in trade or something. Sony bragged about having this feature, now they are taking it away. Bad Sony.
Look guys bottom line is that linux on the ps3 is a joke, mame and other apps run like crap. Media PC common, its a joke, go buy a cheap laptop or media pc.
What sony now need to committ to is providing a better browser by allowing firefox onto the main OS like we could in linux and include cross game chat etc.
drady
It only does……one OS.
*stands on a table above the complaining and noise*
guys, guys! Calm down! We’re going to get a 3D update some day!! And the Move! Boy, GT5 is going to be rad! Has anyone here bought a PSPGo yet? They’re the bees knees!
*gets pushed off table & is promptly given the worlds biggest wedgie*
Sony,
If this is not an April Fool’s Day hoax, I hope the PS3 community backlash hits you like you’ve never seen before. Removing features from new versions of the PS3 may be justified, but removing marketed features from existing consoles is reprehensible.
Are you prepared for all the bad press that has and will hit news sites like Slashdot and Engadget? Have you considered the impact to Sony’s brand name?
I’ve enjoyed years of fiddling with Linux on my PS3 (first Yellow Dog, then Ubuntu). However, being an avid gamer, I will be forced to apply this “security update.” This will leave such bad taste in my mouth that I will reconsider any future Sony purchases. And I will urge others to do the same.
And a final note: please be sure to update your “Open Platform” site (http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html). I’d suggest the following HTML change:
OpenClosed Platform for PLAYSTATION 3.Sincerely,
a Linux user, gamer, and regular “psubuntu.com” follower
@49 thedrad
You do realize that people do have linux install on their PS3 to do learn cell-base programming right?
This is a feature that consumers have paid for, being removed!
This is like the feature to play PS3 games being removed!!!
This is very serious. Sony should find an alternative solution to GeoHot’s exploit. This is not acceptable.
so is anything added AT ALL?
Seriously, I hope they do something in return like giving PS2 compatibility to all PS3s and releasing PS2 games on PSN.
Having PS2 games on PSN is the ONLY thing on my wishlist. Cross-chat, Parties, etc I could care less about.
It’s just going to suck since i’ll be forced to update to play with friends and buy from the PS Store but then have a PS3 that isn’t an arcade machine for the big screen or a wide-range multimedia player anymore :(
You Liars Sony! You guys said you were not going too remove it. I love you Sony and I’m going to let you finish but Microsoft has the best customer love of all time! Static Fire out!
Blame the hackers, not Sony. This is internet-ignorance at it’s finest.
12
@556 lmfao!
Yes, for sure some people learn cell on their little linux installs.
However the population is very tiny.
and they can speak for themselves. (key point).
However it seems like of the 552 comments, 500 are people who do NOT know the first thing about an SPU, whining like babies as though this update has destroyed their PhD chances. It is just dishonesty. There is no integrity in this comment stream.
I’m completely honest, (1) this feature was and is and will be useless to me. (2) I don’t know any cell programmers that need defending (3) I’m not interested in what geo-shortz is doing (4) I prefer that the PS3 remains un-cracked as it means that online games & PSN is harder to subvert, and therefore actually this move is a sensible one if it increases the time that the platform remains un-cracked.
It’s funny… I don’t recall seeing people ask for this this to be removed in the playstation.blog share.
I do not use this feature, so it won’t affect in any way. Though I had planned on trying that feature out in the future, I am still not annoyed by the removal of such. What I am concerned about is the plethora of consumers who will be effected negatively because of this, some users even us their PS3 as their primary computer.
I am also annoyed that this doesn’t bring any new and exciting features to the PS3, it just seems like there are no noticeable positives. I feel like some type of positive update might help soften the blow felt by those who use the “Other OS” feature.
Regardless, I do understand the point behind this version, and that comes down to quality control, making sure our product is safe from outside threats, such as Geohot. I do find it ironic, however, that it is called an update, when it is truly a downgrade.
Like I said the Other OS feature is crap. I’m sure if linux programmers want to develop, there are other ways.
Oh and for some of us that have linux OS installed there are 2 OS’s switch on the machine thats the first, then move to linux being the 2nd.
If you programmers are really serious, do something serious about it, setup a petition, lodge a class action, do a facebook thing, sorry where are these, NOWHERE!
@TheTwelve
Yes we should blame the hackers for everything. SONY pull a lazy on this one. Instead on finding an alternate solution of a “problem”, they took the easy way out and screw the People that has linux on the PS3.
I hope this is an early April’s fool joke! Because my 20Gb PS3 isn’t happy about this update at all, what’s next killing PS2 backwards compatibility?
I don’t use the install other OS feature, but some do and will be really upset. Taking away features of piece of hardware that where there since day one isn’t really a good idea.
calm down guys. if the hardware does not work like it was said when you bought it, because the vendor damages it, you can get a full refund (at least I hope the law in other countries is the same as in germany) and just buy another console. I’ve paid 599euro for it and I’m damn happy to get it back and will buy a PS3 slim and X360 :)
Sony <3
This is pure fail. I hope it’s a joke.
It might remove the “Other OS” but nothing has been said about what cool features we might get in return. So ill take this with a grain of salt and hope we get some codec and browser updates for this
Karma’s going to be a b**** if hackers find a way to completely open the older model PS3 even with OtherOS removed, and i’ll say it right now, Sony deserved it well should it ever happen.
NOTHING IS UNHACKABLE. Doing this will just simply add more fuel to them in tearing down the PS3 to its FULL capability.
I hope they pull back on the update and reconsider.
This is utter nonsense. I paid my $750 for a system at launch so I could secure one of these models.
Sony, I hope you go the way of SEGA.
Seriously, screw you Sony !
A lot of you guys whine a lot.
This had best be an April Fool’s day joke.
A terrible one.
I hope Sony sees that the community doesn’t even want to joke about this. 1.69/5? Hello I’m not laughing…… I just bought a “mint” PS3 60gb from E-bay cause my 1st one YLOD out of the blue. I DON’T WANT A SLIM DAMN IT
I don’t use this feature anyway but taking it away is just wrong…
Wow, way too look like Microsoft out there Sony. People appreciate the PS3 because it stands for everything the Xbox isn’t, but this move makes even Microsoft look good. Not only are you taking away a feature many people payed for but you are doing it with no style… It’s just bad business.
I hope this one is a very well planned April Fool’s joke, or Sony’s gonna have a lot of backfire from earlier supporters.
I’m all in for the war against piracy, but removing features from a console will hardly make your market happy.
@349:
A Terms of Service could say Jack Tretton has permission to invade my home and steal my silverware, but that wouldn’t make it any more legal when he actually broke down my door and in fact stole my silverware.
In other words, a Terms of Service agreement is just words until someone challenges it in court. And trust me, that’s something Sony doesn’t want.
this is an ugly update.
Well this is crap… I sincerely hope this feature is brought back soon.
I’m always disappointed to see a feature being taken away, regardless of whether I take full advantage of it or not, but I understand Sony’s security concerns. Just don’t take away my b/c, please!
Also, this wouldn’t be an April Fool’s joke would it?
Ooo I got a better idea! How about a Firmware Update that allows you to SLOW DOWN the speed of the Blu-Ray! No problems with my first 60gb before that beautiful “speed update”
If Other OS is removed i will not only never buy any sony products this includes blu-ray discs, tv, radios, and even future game consoles.
I use this feature. I installed fedora 10 in my PS3
Maybe is not most used feature in the PS3 but all paid for it, whats next removing PS2 compatibility on older models just because the population is tiny, or remove dlna because its a risk.
SONY is just being lazy, they should repair this feature if it represents a risk, Not just remove it.
If this is true im not updating. I really hope the PS3 get hacked soon.
I never used this “other os feature”,will this update affect my data after I download it or will it be safe?
I have to say, I’m quite upset about this as well. I’ve had Linux installed on my PS3 for nearly a year. I bought a larger hard drive specifically to do so.
Now Sony tell me that all my effort has gone to vain. I’m seriously peeved at Sony right now. Yeah right, it’s an “optional” install. Excuse me Sony, but I want to use Linux on my PS3 AND I want to play network gaming with games I have purchased. Give me an option to do both. Don’t say you can have one or the other.
The worst thing is, this won’t stop people from hacking the PS3. It’ll only affect legitimate users who genuinely want to run Linux on the PS3. Way to go, Sony.
This won’t affect any organization who bought the PS3 for super computer purposes.
So you are taking away a feature that I paid full price for on launch day?! Wonderful.