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)
You see I don’t think its the same thing because of the fact that A. you paid for the right to have an online account that is under the jurisdiction of Sony for them to alter as they see fit and B. you have the choice to not do it (sure you cant do things on PSN but you have the computer you obviously care about more). Honestly, its just annoying how irrational some ppl have gotten, but I can understand your opinion…I just don’t agree.
@Leonhard_Euler
I appreciate your sense of consumer advocacy…
…the only thing I disagree with is that stealing the OEM stereo from most cars is actually a favour to the owner…they really aren’t that good, and insurance will replace it with a proper unit. :-D
HI, And Good Day Mr Sony I am follow all the coments and post and in any case you have a reply for all this coment , why why , …because all the user are in the correct and please I want to hear any about you Company SONY WHY DONT ANSWER ALL THIS POST AND I AM THINKING AND IS WILL TRUE THAT YOU HAS MAKE A BIG ERROR WHIT THIS UPDATE, PLEASE I HOPE THE READ ANY REPLY FROM YOU COMPANY SONY, PLEASE AND I HOPE THAT GIVE BACK OUR RIGHT, THERE ARE MORE THAN 6500 POST IN MOST NEGATIVE FOR THIS UPDATE , And you dont reply any of this , please give another solutionsfor all user of this Others OS, Very thanks and i hope that you replye soon as posibles , if you are a really Company Thanks Cia. SONY
@clavaat
But we didnt just buy it as a game console, or just as a computer, we bought it as s/t which can be both!!
@Clavaat
Do you realize that by taking away the ability to use PSN in order to keep the Other OS, what is being done is robbing us of a significant portion (online multi-player) of the games we have already invested in such as:
-fighting games
-sports games
-shooters
-racing games
basically games whose primary gameplay is the multi-player aspect. Most of these games have shallow single player options, so you are not just robbing us of system ability but access to our actual library.
Additionally, without the ability to update the Blu-Ray firmware, you’ve stolen our player for future releases.
This is so much more than just the cost of the hardware itself…and the option they’ve given is no option. You have to forsake something to gain nothing. That is not good faith business practice.
Hey clavaat does a dealership call you back a year after you bought a car to tell you that they have to take out the A/C or the bose stereo? You don’t need it to actually run the car, but you sure did pay for it.
Look, there were two major reasons I bought my fat ps3 for 500 bucks a while back…to play my favorite game, Rock Band, mainly for the vast collection of DLC which I need to access psn to get, and to INSTALL ANOTHER OS. So now, even though I paid what was asked for at the time for said services, I have to choose between one or the other now, and the money I spent is basically gone. If you think the irrational party in this case is myself rather than Sony, i’d have to wonder if you’re totally clueless or working for them yourself. If Sony doesn’t want to deal with piracy then they should get out of the game console business. Why is it my problem? I’m not demanding anything more than what I paid for…how is that irrational?
And before anyone starts on the whole “but security” argument, most companies fix hardware/software vulnerability via security patches, not by disabling functions with a corporate statement of “It’s for your own good…”
@ clavaat
This affects people offline, as well as online. If you bought a game in the future that requires the latest firmware, the game will try to install it. So people who refuse to update are essentially prevented from playing up and coming non-networked games.
You have to admit, this was a bad move by Sony. The only way they can reasonably save face is to admit they were wrong, and offer to reinstate the option in a future update. Oh, and mark the current update as non-compulsory.
Excellent point, Li’l Hamlet. How else can we state that we’re backed into a corner without a way out.
DO update, and continue using your PS3 as a gaming and media hub with online access and community support
-or-
DON’T update, keep your preferred PPC Linux for what it’s worth to you, and play with it as you like, but you lose the privileges associated with PSN as well as the capability of playing new BD titles (note that as long as you keep Linux, you can update it until the powers in charge of your distro decide it’s not worth the trouble to support the PS3).
Last I checked, all but the major distros do NOT have a PPC port. Lack of interest in the platform is oft cited.
Still, Sony does NOT have a passable excuse for its actions, and it continues to make decisions for folks as it has done for me. I have two active games with trophies, so to play them, I had to update. HAD to. I’ve lost naught, yet still, I’m aware that it may take from me as it sees fit. This, I will not allow.
Hi Patrick Seybold and Sony people,
So update 3.21 was released, not cool. I bought a PS3 so that i could install YDL on it. This update is just wrong. I bought GOW 3 this weekend, I returned it. I was looking forward to 2010 and your Move controller, Mod Nation Racers and other great titles coming out for the PS3. Now i simply feel cheated and left with an over-priced video game system. What you have done is immoral and it makes no business sense, i dont know how you think that you can get away with it. Maybe you will, I will find an alternative to your Game System if necessary.
Your lack of initiative, creativity and integrity is ridiculous. You’re a multi-billion dollar company and you were beaten by some kind of renegade loser nerd. Seriously consider now what you are doing and try to undo it before it’s too late and you lose a great bunch of loyal customers who have been with you from the beginning and will continue to enjoy and support your product if you treat us right.
At least have the decency to respond to our reaction or do you think that we dont even deserve that? I am personally giving you one more chance. . .
p.s. have KB have a quick peek in the near future, he will say fix this now.
Thank you.
My above comment is 6518 in case it is deleted. If it is deleted, it will be the 3rd time.
– Mike
Has anyone actually heard anything from Sony as to whether there will be a work around to this? I bought, what I understood to be, a computer/gaming system. When I update my Mac it doesn’t tell me that I can choose between the games on there or the computer functionality. If you’re worried about hackers, then I sincerely question your security accommodations for both your own information and the millions of others who have entrusted Sony with our personal information as well as credit card information, myself included. If you bought this system of 8 parallel drivers for a simple game system, you won’t be disappointed. But when you realize all that it can do, it’s not worth it to remove that functionality. Using those drivers to slave my computer or other PS3’s to have the processing power I couldn’t get otherwise without tapping into a super computer that frankly, I just don’t have.
Is this how Sony thanks me for putting use to the amazing machine they have created?
actually comment 6502 my comment was not offensive at all. In fact it was just very long I broke it down into 4 sections and they deleted all but one which was almost completely irrelevant in regards to how I actually approached the subject. The comment is saved on my system and if you want to read it I could post it to my blog with the same name.
I’m having a lot of trouble with the backup utility restoring, what with all the game updates I now need to do.
Even with the mass censorship on this blog they are still over 6500 negative responses. I am number 6520, for the moment.
Well, if you factor in the people who basically don’t care about their rights and are calling everyone else babies, I’d say that there’s 6300 negative responses.
I’m 6521 right now. I think everyone should be marking their post, so we can at least try to guess at how many comments are being deleted.
Post 6520. ha that means they deleted another one of my posts which was very tame. So to repeat: Comment 6511 I fully agree. This update has taken more than just the otherOS function. I have been giving much more thought to the issue. I did not do the update and here are my problems. The PSP I purchased will not work with Remote Play. The only real reason I purchased it was for remote play. Zero functionality of any content on my PSN account. No Life with Playstation, with any sort of content. I am concerned about continued participation in folding@home.
Well put, DeadMan, even if your handle makes of you a marked man.
If you factor in the international blog and toss out the personal attacks, that’s somewhere on the order of 7500-8500 down votes. We gonna DragonBall these threads? I don’t know, but I hope we do (and if you know not of what I speak, it’s a well-known meme on the Net).
6522-23
6523?
I agree with the rest of these comments, Sony states the feature will not be removed, and within a month it IS Removed… This is bogus
I Hope someone realizes the PR/Marketing nightmare that is going on and takes some effort to correct it.
It is not about the other OS and Hackers it is all about the Playstation Move wireless Controller..
to be honest, this does n’t look like a mass pro test to me and therefore has no af fect on the dec ision by so ny. Maybe more than 99 percent of the owners have no use for the other os func tionality. they have no rea son to compl ain and mainly do not compl ain. this is exactly what so ny exp ected. it was an eco nomic dec ision, a secur ity pa tch might have been too expen sive.
I see that Sony isn’t interested in addressing this issue. This is not an issue to fight piracy. Pirates would be going the route of custom firmware, because running a Linux OS consumes too many of the system resources to actually play any PS3 level games, RSX or not.
Linux on the PS3 was a feature that sold me as an early adoptor. I am part of the crowd that kept you afloat when all the media wanted to do was see you fail. Now that you have what you want, a degree of success, you don’t need us anymore. It’s nice to see the loyalty to your fanbase you have shown. Mark my words, we will remember this. As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
@swordzmanp236 It does? Lol, it’s just a name I came up with a few years ago. I had to add the 01 though, because someone already had it, and several other variations.
Well, in order to stay on topic, I will say this: I have not been a PS3 owner for very long. My first is a Slim, and until this fiasco began, I didn’t even know I didn’t have the ability to install Linux. I had wanted to try it out during the summer or something, when I didn’t have classes and homework (I’m a college student) to worry about. So, since I never had that option in the first place, the only thing I can do is support those that do/did have it, and want to do something about this “update.”
6523
I will stop buying games for ps3 and buy an xbox 360 for gaming. I am not giving up my linux system on my ps3. As an academic I bought the ps3 (instead of xbox360) because of the parallel programming features of the Cell processor. I felt it was a two for one deal, combining gaming and computational power.
I think it is a shame, because I really enjoyed lots of the features (downloadable content) that PSN provides for games like fallout, star wars and dragon age (all games which are not exclusive to ps3).
I guess they figured the rise in the sale of ps3 slim models will offset all the lost customers from this move.
If I buy any new games that wany to “downgrade” my firmware to play then they are going right back to the store.
You can file complaints even if you live in Europe :)
Thank you for using the Better Business Bureau’s Online Complaint System.
Your complaint has been assigned case # 57166828.
Correspondence regarding this complaint will be emailed to :
Please print a copy of this for your records.
Filed on : April 7 2010
Filed by :
Filed against :
Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
919 E Hillsdale Blvd 2nd Floor
Foster City CA 94404-4247
Blah, blah, blah …
This case will be reviewed by a complaint specialist at the Better Business Bureau, and then forwarded to the business for their response. It is our policy to allow the business 10 working days to respond to your complaint. You will be notified when the business has responded.
For clarity, I dont advocate illegal activity, and I am not associated with any “hackers”, but I do believe that I have a fairly credible feel for the pulse of the electronic age consumers…and judging from the replies in this thread alone, I would say my thoughts are fairly accurate.
1) My 1st PS3 died
2) My 2nd PS3 died
3) My Sony Spirit just died
4) What next Sony?
Have to admit that this is one whole of a sequel to Error 8001050
Can’t wait for the third installment –
This trilogy’s gonna rock!
Note: Used “Whole” to avoid being modded.
Hello, I have buy a XBOX360.
PS3 died for me.
SONY releases extraordinarily high end products for the mid-range consumer. However –
This doesn’t excuse SONY for committing an ethically questionable act in removing otherOS, but it does bring to light the question of do we, as gamers, really want to sink SONY in a Class Action lawsuit which would likely drive it away from the Games Business all together?
I mean, realistically, the overhead for SCEA and SCEJ is hellish at best, and not noticeably profit generating in comparison to their other branches (Sony Pictures, SONY, etc. etc.)
Yes I agree SONY did likely commit a ethical foul with this update, but I’m simply questioning the end result of what happens if they see thousands of people turning rabid against them while at the same time truly enjoying their product.
They make a solid system, they make solid products – This is something not many companies can say these days, and do we really want to give them the impression that the consumer no longer cares about quality? That we’re simply out for blood because they made an ethically bad call?
I’m not telling anyone what to think here, i’m just asking that those here take a minute to think.
First: I have fat system (80GB motorstorm bundle) and intend to retain my Other OS.
My comment is about “not being able to play future BD and game relases”.
For BD, I’m pretty confident it’s a non-issue unless they go out of their way to penalize PS users with older firmware versions. It’s not like any standalone BD players run PS FW. So why would the PS3’s BD playback act differently than any other BD player?
For games, what happens to those without internet access or with dialup who don’t have the resources to update? They likely don’t even play online, so will they not be able to even play future game releases offline as they have likely been doing all along? Note: I’m making the assumption that pre-3.21, all games worked (offline) on all FW versions.
I’m not worried about any offline play with my PS3.
…wow
I actually just tried to stand up for Sony and got moderated.
That’s odd.
In short, I’ll repost the nitty gritty of it and hope for the best.
“They make a solid system, they make solid products – This is something not many companies can say these days, and do we really want to give them the impression that the consumer no longer cares about quality? That we’re simply out for blood because they made an ethically bad call?
I’m not telling anyone what to think here, i’m just asking that those here take a minute to think.”
I guess it’s up to all of us as individuals and consumers to answer that for ourselves.
Test post… is the word F T C moderated?
@ 6535
Nope, you’re golden.
@ 6537
You didn’t get moderated, showed up just fine.
There are alot of technical problems (coincidence… yeah right) this update appears to have caused. The loss of other OS is not a concern to me. What is, is that my PS3 now only works on newer HDMI TVs but no longer on my older HDMI TV. Not a hardware failure… Do I have to upgrade to a new TV now????
@ 6539
Probably not, but you may need to power cycle your tv.
Unplug it for 30-45 seconds, plug it back in and let it run it’s diagnostics. Also, unplug the HDMI from both ends (PS3 and TV) for 30-45 seconds as well.
I believe whatever comes out from all this sad chapter, Sony will choose to keep away forever the other OS feature. It’s very simple: eventually all PS3 fat models will not survive over an expensive repair and this feature will be totally lost, forgot.
Now, if my blu-ray lens get broken, due the arbitrary behavior from Sony in this chapter I probably will turn my gamming activity to the XBOX 360 next the PS3 I have and for the blu-ray movies I will just buy a player.
Kicking away users like me has a terrible side effect: I am considered in my social circle someone very found about technology and people very frequently ask me about videogames. Right now I will share my disappointment with Sony. In fact, I just would say right now choose other console, just because Sony is not reliable in the PS3 field and never replied or established a channel to the upset customers here, ignoring and censoring all these posts.
When my 80GB fat Model die I really doubt it will be replaced by the slim model.
Sony made its choice and now I definitely do not share their vision or behavior. So now it’s time to make mine… and I will lead a lot of people with me.
Thanks VoxRetus, but been there done that. Other devices satelite and Samsung DVD work fine through my one port HDMI TV the PS3 does not. They have changed something with the handshaking. My old TV may not have the best HDMI compliance but the PS3 worked fine for 2 years before 3.21 and still does on othe TVs.
@VoxRetus I do not think we are talking about quality here. My system is fantastic as well. Its about treatment. If I buy a car with a radio and the dealer took that out I would be upset too. regardless of the products quality.
I’m glad they took out the OS function…it was a pretty useless fuction anyway…The only people who will get upset about it is the 2% (classifed as: super-geeks or uber-nerds) that own a ps3 and those who (by nature) complain every week about the PS store update and want to get their whining done, nice and out of the way….before the next tear jerker (a.k.a thursday) hits.
Hey Ginerinu, I can’t confirm anything, but I did hear a rumor (so take it for what it’s worth) that 3.21 had some sort of audio clipping “fix” for the PS3’s sound card – so to speak – that apparently didn’t mesh well with HDMI compatibility with some HDTV’s (whether or not that’s true, I have no idea.)You may be experiencing that?
And hey to you as well Dioioib, I never once defended Sony’s ethical decision making in this, in fact I detest that aspect of what’s been done on a very harsh level. I’m just saying maybe we could all find a way to leverage our weight as consumer’s in a higher road fashion than the base level legal route.
I mean, it’s not like any of us truly want the PS3 to go away, right? We just want Sony to know that it can’t get away with this kind of behavior.
This latest stunt from Sony means that I no longer will buy titles for the Playstation 3. My system will never see another update and will only play Blu-ray titles until it dies – it will not be replaced. I am buying an Xbox 360 and will buy all future titles for that system. I never will buy a Sony product again. Microsoft will make my next system.
Sony is too big to listen to the consumer and actually care. They will care if enough consumers hit them in the wallet and stop buying software titles (decreased licensing revenues) for their PS3’s and buy them for the Xbox 360 instead.
I find some irony to the a few poster’s quick jump to Microsoft over Sony’s “ethics”…
Maybe many of you have short memories, were unnafected by this, or weren’t yet old enough at the time.
But I’ll throw this out there.
Windows XP Service Pack 2.
If that makes you shudder in disgust over feature loss and horrendous consumer treatment, then maybe you’ll look at this fiasco with Sony in a much more “Wow, was I really going banana’s over 3.21?” Fashion.
Microsoft not only mirrored what Sony has done multiple times over, but they’ve done to a far harsher extreme with much less care for consumer rights.
I’m glad they took out the OS function…it was a pretty useless fuction anyway…
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I wish they would take out in game chat I find that pretty useless and annoying.
Oh, wait I can turn it off
I HAVE THE OPTION TO NOT USE A F.E.A.T.U.R.E I PAID FOR.
When Sony release thir next console people will look at it in amazement, but, then they’ll remember they did just the same with the PS3 and that over the period of a couple of years they took out so many of the f.e.a.t.u.r.e.s that made it stand out that it was infact no better than the competitors.
I think Sony should charge like XBL..this would stop the crying and complaining immediately..$5.99 a month to access the network with moderators and people who monitor for cheating.
I can’t believe after a week 3.21 went in the complaining is still happening..The only real complainers were well put by @Jacked312..If you want a computer then use a “real” computer. The only reason you want to use the PS3 for linux is to insert a flashcard to run cheatcodes.
Well..game over. I cant believe the press still continues to give these guys time of day with their “plight” of poor no other OS on a gaming console.
Boo Hoo..
VoxRetus, I truly suspect that there is some truth to that audio/HDMI rumor.
Back to 3.21, it will and has caused problems for Sony (and me for that matter). It has damaged their reputation amoung us.
I would think Sony’s silence is a scramble to go into damage control mode and see what went wrong and how to fix this. They will be facing legal issues with the removal of a feature and bricking or rendering the system partialy unusable. Some have legit reasons for wanting these features, even though I don’t use them. Jacked312 claims 2% will be upset, are they any less deserving than any other person who purchased a PS3?
Based on my trip to the authorized Sony repair location, it would cost me to have it repaired. Even it it would fix the problem, I don’t think I am responsible. It wasn’t my programing that stopped my PS3’s functionality.
Wasn’t it a Sony CEO that once said Quality – S.O.N.Y. Soon Only Not Yet?
I think Sony should charge like XBL..this would stop the crying and complaining immediately..$5.99 a month to access the network with moderators and people who monitor for cheating.
————————————————————————————-
You really haven’t thought that through too well have you. Over 6500 posts about them taking out a feature that according to you not many people use and you want them to start charging for a feature a large majority of the PS3 community uses? Hmm.
As to the people who think people are complaining because they want free games. I’m complaining so does that mean I want cheap games? I’ve bought a XBox, over the weekend because of this, it’s basically incase they stop the proxy hack. Yeah, I’m poor and can’t afford to pay for my games. LMAO
@ JacKeD312
I played God of War 3 – other than a 8-10 hour graphics feast with button mashing – I was not impressed. God of War 2 was probably my favorite.