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 SHOULD HAVE A PAUSE FEATURE ON THE PS3 LIKE ON THE PSPgo!
3_21 pwned, 0ther05 back, hold on slim users, you will get your chance someday.
I SELL PLAYSTATION 3 FAT WITH 20 GAMES.
Are they going to bring back Linux support now? And appease all of the legitimate users?
ok sony this is what i want to know now how much did the other os make the price of the ps3 fat cost us users who spent there money on a feture that some users might or might not use now your taking a feature away that WE the users the life the blood of your company
payed for how would you fell if every person who used anything sony and everybody who is planning on buying sony products stopps see how long it takes your presious bank accounts to dry up for christ sake sony u ppl relly need to thin about who you are effecting befoe you decude to take somthing away from us. and i think the info about the priceing sould be avalable to the psn comminity we deserve to know how much money of ours you are sealing!
OMGapotato (once happy ps3 user )
you know my email sony so pls be prompt with your reply
If they can find a way to detect systems that are running pirated software, ban them, do whatever, no problem. That’s protecting your “IP” and is totally fair.
Removing the “Other OS”, OTOH, is at most a minor inconvenience to the crackers. It will accomplish nothing, but will remove a feature which is important to a lot of paying customers.
I just wana play Little Big Planet again (online). I paid for it sony. I have as much right to play as anyone who updates. I am prepared to sell my PS3/games and buy something that actually works. Or I guess it might look ok out in the garden.
Roar !
@Northstar 77
Your analogy is only half right. You see, the IP is theirs to protect, but the actualy physical property is ours.
They’ve locked up my bike without giving me the keys and said “Oh….feel free to use the wheels for whatever you want….but the rest of the bike is staying here…”
hopefully this feature comes back
3.22 where is it?
I will throw my PS3 in the garbage before I install this update. Sony, you have lost me as a customer indefinitely.
so anyone had any problems with this update because i did, i wanted to play cod4 and the lag was awful, before the update didn’t have any problems… baaaaddd sony baaaad sony
Nope markodude, most of us did not update.
Why are any comments I make awaiting moderation?
No.pe ma.rko.dude, mo.st o.f u.s d.id no.t upd.ate.
mine’s awaiting moderation too
well sony people have waited so long for this update and we all get it like yes finally! come to find out it wasnt such a big deal.. personally you needa make better updates for the people that own this amazen system. people that leave comments that seem hatefully on here are just very upset because you guys say all this great news months before something new drops and make it seem like it gona be amazen and it actually lame.. yes it just a game but i think of it this way.. this is a good example.. lets say i guy gets told okay you worked here for 7 years so tommrow you gona get a 300 dollar raise mind you he getting ripped off with his pay as it is.. so his boss soup him up with that news.. tommrow here now and his boss goes remember that raise well you only getting half.. how would you feel if that was you? lol it sucks.. i know work can be hard at times but i know sony can do so much better.. thank you for hearing me out hope you get what i mean and read this. have a great day and hope to hear from you.
It has been one full week since the up-d-ate on Apri-l Fo-ols Day and still no resp-onse from SO-NY, not even one word. The company and their c-o-n-s-u-m-e-r relations is really going downh-ill. So-ny should not be in this position but they’re really putting themselves on the spot.
I guess they didn’t like what I had to say haha. Would be nice if they said why haha.
All I said is that they told me that they’re tracking people who haven’t updated.
What the heck man? What are the words that are setting off the filter? My previous comment is awaiting moderation!
6682
First the “leap year bug” and now Sony decides to take away one of the features that made the PS3 so alluring to me.
You guys are really making it hard to like your console this year.
So you guys will reimburse me for this feature you’re taking away, right?
I’m just as miffed as anyone about losing the “other OS”.
But as it turns out in the fine print….every time you downloaded a firmware update and agreed to the license, you forfeited the right to have what “you” want on your PS3.
Here’s an excerpt from the fine print:
“SCE, at its sole discretion, may modify the terms of this Agreement at any time, including any terms in the PS3TM system documentation or manual”
In other words, even if the original documentation stated that you could install an Other OS, they are allowed to remove that fuctionality at anytime, for any reason.
It sux, but we all agreed to it many times by now and dont have much of a legal leg to stand on.
Which brings up a good point of how important it is for us to resist their “legal” right in a legal manner (like this blog) or an online petition. We have to appeal to their sense of loyalty, not to their rights on legality.
Maybe if we’re lucky, they can find a way to patch the problems, and re-release “Other OS” in a future fully funtional firmware update.
@Gaussian
As covered many times before, fe.deral l.aw (con.sumer la.ws etc) ov.errides EU.LAs.
I just wanted to point out some great news. Amazon issued a partial refund to a customer in Europe because after this move by Sony, they were violating European law. Specifically Directive 1999/44/EC.
Wow, he got £84.00 back from Amazon. That sounds fair. Wish I lived in EU. Us needs better laws like this to protect the consumer.
Let’s hope everyone in Europe who purchased the original PS3 demands a partial refund to put some pressure on Sony. Granted I don’t want to poor retails to get stuck with the bill. I just want my PSN and Linux, not one or the other.
heeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllloooooooooo?
Google search for “PS3 owner ref-unded” (no dash).
As we’ve been saying, the E U L A cannot contravene existing l a w.
checking
[[o..k th.e..n, s.o I ha..ve ha..d 3 ac.co.un.ts b.a..n.ne.d, 1 f.or us.i.ng th.e wo.rd ‘l.a.zy’ , on.e f.or ha.r.sh.ly at.ta.cki..ng an.ot.her of m.y a.cc.o.u.nts (ju.st to se.e if th.ey ar.e st.i.l.l d.o.ing pr.o.per mo.d..e.r.at.ion (th.ey ar.e)) an.d th.e 3.r.d wa.s t.he ‘n.i.ce gu.y’ no fo..u..l co.m.m.e.nts wh.a.ts.o.ev.er, un.f.o.rt.u.na.te.ly tho.ug.h, 2 p.o..s.ts we..re fl..a.g.ged fo.r mo…de.r.at.ion, s.o… b.a.n…ned…]
-awa.it..i.ng mod.er..a.tion]
-aw…a.i.t…ing mo..d.era.ti.on, ag..ain
-I w..ill ma.k.e su..re I d.ont d.o/.say any.th.in.g of.fen..sive on thi.s ac.c..o.u.nt, b.ut 2 fl…a.g.s al.re.ady, it wi.ll mo.st li..k.e.ly get b..an..ne.d
hooray, that one finally got through!
JumboJap: Nearly the same thing happened to me. Nothing offensive, except calling some things stupid.
@Hagar001
Same, except one of my IDs didn’t do anything wrong except use the word re.mo.ve
I will wait and see if this a..cc.ount gets ba..n.ned for being f..lag..ged above.
praise SONY for THIS IS not A STUPID MOVE
Yeah, even this was blo,cked by the fil,ters:
Really? Hm. Interesting. So, if someone were to down.load the cus.tom fir.mwa.re instead of the actual 3=21 fi.r.mw.a.re, would So.ny know? I know the PS3 would report that it is running 3=21, but wouldn’t So.ny have a rec,ord of those who didn’t actually DO,WN.LO,AD anything from their se,rv,er,s?
This is getting way out of hand. Sony really wants us to shut up. I was asking a legitimate question, and my post got blocked, awaiting moderation(so far).
6696
This times the charm. Maybe this comment will get through.
6697
@JumboJap69
Yes, it is. This is one of the worst things they could have possibly done. All it did was encourage ha,ckers.
@JumboJap69
Yes, it is a stupid move.
6701
@DEADMANWALKING01
What?? I never said that ;)
Hey, it actually went through! Holy crap! I thought it didn’t!
Story online about European customer getting $100 refund, go google it, and lets all press for this or for action in the courts.
just because some people do not post does not mean they dont come here every day. i have read all posts. i will continue.
Did they not talk about BluRay plus which was going to be more s e c u re?
i have a slim and running linux seems like a possiblility. :)
jk dont want linux lol
so what about that custom f i r m wa re?
The problem is the EU has stricter consumer protection laws in place. I doubt anyone’s going to have much luck trying to get a similar refund in the US. It’s going to have to end up in the courts.
That said, I hope European consumers stick it to retailers over this, who will then be forced to deal with Sony. Amazon is not going to be happy if they end up forced to return millions of their own euros to customers over some stunt Sony pulled.
I LOVE THIS UPDATE! IT HELPED SURFACE ALL THE SELLOUTS. I GUESS I HAVE A LOYALTY ISSUE. THE ISSUE BEING SONY COULD TAKE EVERYTHING BUT GAMEPLAY AWAY, AND I’D STILL BE DOWN. PLAYSTATION FOR LIFE.
will sony ever answer to us?