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)
Sony should just make up for it they could develop there own 2nd OS as a, alternative.
firmware update 3.30 ( SONY GIVE US SOMTHING ) –We need Browser media player, java, html5, adobe flash 10 updates, codecs= support more music files, mkv. xmb music music media player update. TEXT in xmb = PDF. more comment space+Texting space. ( ALL THIS NEEDS TOO BE ONE UPDATE)
What?? Sony got rid of my upside down comment??
i love my ps3, don’t get me wrong, but i’m really bummed out about taking away the “other OS” option. i’m seriously considering selling this thing and getting another brand, solely out of principle.
Is it true that they might remove the XMB’s web browser ?
yes, they are currently in the process of removing anything that causes “security concerns,” so the web browser, music playback, picture viewing and even ps1/ps2 is all in jeopardy
That’s a silly & arrogant move, Sony, Do you think you can bully your customers? I am moving to xbox.
Its amazing how Sony has drove thousands of its most loyal fans into siding with the “h4ck3rs” over this issue. Removing Otheros was a terrible idea and i am pretty sure every1 will be trying to edit their system w CFW and the release geo has made. Way to isolate your fanbase sony
wow.. there really removing everything? ugh.. NO SONY! did japan do this as well? drawing the line here between bad/good, if sony listened that would =good. if sony removes everything that = bad. what kind of business does sony run? if they disable everything i’ll just never update at all. then sell mag and delete warhawk possible i’ll stop supporting sony, in any forms. but if they do good and try to not rubbish are systems then support a new operating system, a new web browser, more codec’s, plus a media hub–media play–divix for web–real player for music. maybe add more ram with the HDD, plus add pdf. and gif. and exta comment–text space adding are AVATARS can look like playstation home characters. that would =good. and i think sony could be forgave for the burns made to customers …
This is not right.
PS3 just lost points.
Live and let live.
This is not really a choice you are leaving us with here.
It’s more like “We’re taking this from you now, so you can have a more secure network to play on”
WTF is this, you’re talking to me like I don’t know!!
You think users are that stupid? Doing stuff like this is plain disgusting. Why is it that I should be the one paying for the so called security concerns you guys have? There is no excuse for treating your customers the way you do. I left MS for those reasons.
Hey Sony, I want my money back! You sold me something but now you either disable it or you don’t let me play online? Either way you are taking something away from me only I have to choose which? I’m starting my complaint tomorrow.I hope everyone does the same.
Everyone: Read the laws from where you live and you will most likely see and realize that they have no right to do this. Some might say they do, but they only do unless people complains. See you can do anything in life until someone reports you. So sure they can do this, but if you report them, then we will win. It does not cost much to make a few phone calls to the proper authorities!
I couldn’t care less if they remove the web browser. I avoid it at all costs, and if I do have to use it, I usually vomit…. anyone else get that??
I guess I don’t need to say that I’ll be using my 360 exclusively until there’s a way around this update.
im selling my ps3 and buying a xbox360 and a netgear for the movies
6,878 comments and not one of these matter. Sad to see, but your frustrations have fallen on deaf ears. I’m glad I wasn’t a Linux user or someone WOULD have been giving me some of my money back. Best believe that.
once a million hits sony will know to listen
Hello guys…(eventually some girls will read this so, hello you girls too)
I was chilling at my apt last week, just googling some stuff that I needed for work next day and checking some e-mails…
At the time, I hadn’t use my PS3 for lil while…lets say about 3weeks or so. Then I thought, wow why not trying to install a new OS in my PS3..lots of friends always come over my place and I only have my desktop PC…hav having another one would be nice and other ppl could get online and surf on the internet…Anyways, you can surf using the ps3 original browser but you know…I was curious and wanted to give it a try…to run fedora on PS3…
I turn on my PS3 and I was still waiting for my DVD driver finishing up burning fedora, (my internet cable was disconnected from the PS3 by somehow), then I plugged it back went to update software and there was one update available…as I usually do and I think everybody else does the same…I just follow the steps and go ahead until the installation is completed. Until then it was okay cuz I didn’t know about the most f***ed up thing Sony’s ever made.
Removing the option of installing another OS…
I don’t know who was the [DELETED] inside Sony who had this idea..removing a featured option…
I was so frustrated..but this is not it..yet
Read the rest..
I tried formatting my PS3 in the normal mode…it takes about 5 minutes to finish so…my point was to see if it would go back to the previous configuration…as it happens it didnt. So what did I do next?
I go for full formatting option…it took about 4 and half hours to finish…
Results: The same [DELETED] configuration that doesn’t allow you to install another OS…
Im thinking to bring my PS3 to some hackers who study in my college…They sure can do something about it but I wanted to know if there is any other way to brake this Sony spell on our PS3s…
Thanks…
dr_DOOM69
Yeah..I think I just might do the same…Sony’s so f***ed up.
I mean look at the Iphone for example..dude the hardware was paid…you dont get it on the street..nobody gives it to you as a souvenir…it is yours…you want to burn it? its alright…its yours.
Jailbreaking iphone was my comparison cuz ever since I got my iphone jailbroken I dont pay for any apps…
My point is, PS3 is practically a computer..so we should be able to do whatever da hell wa want…
You can’t say I didn’t try to get some kind of feedback from Sony proper re: this issue.
But heck, I still have my ’07 “fat” PS3 with all the things I use it for, and a hard drive now four times the original size–also larger than the largest retail PS3 hard disk.
Had I tried Linux and lost data (which to a geek like me is interesting because of its potential, yet pointless at the same time because of certain hardware shortfalls), I’d be absolutely livid, but I’m more scared than angry @ what Sony has demonstrated.
I wonder when they will realize how bad a mistake this was… I bought 62 PSN games last year and about 30 retail titles… Would love to be able to still buy games and have them work on my PS3… Will the new games coming out state that they will work with firmware 3.15?
Forgot to mention all of the Home Items I bought as well and PSP games… Please fix this Linux debacle
swordzmanp236
If I were you buddy I’d be flipping out…
Sony has no rights to take it away from us.
Try to picture Apple, blocking all of the features available…you will only use it for calling and gaming (pre-listed ones), and another apps..but all in their standards…c’mon..the world would throw rocks at apple stores…
Im just wondering why they would do such a thing…I absolutely agree with shigutsuBR…
Sony is the past…
Lets everybody just opt for microsoft…I was even having problem s sinchronizing media in my network from my windows pc to the PS3…I had to download a software called Tversia…to access my computer from the PS3…with a Xbox your headaches are over…no more stress
@unbelievable1
Hey do you know if there is any way to recover the last firmware….(the 3.15)
I fully formatted my PS3 but no success on restoring the last firmware….any ideas?
sonys bricking there own system downgrading everything, sd-card readers -GONE . 2 usb-GONE. super audio -GONE. FAT models a dying breed -SOON WILL BE GONE. otherOS- GONE. my respect – GONE. PS2disk support- GONE. updateing system sofware the correct way- GONE
browser- SOON TO BE GONE. movie files the arent sony format from the playstation store- SOON TO BE GONE. Ps1 disk support- SOON TO BE GONE. free playstation network- SOON TO BE GONE. A keyboard soon to be disabled. Texting will be shorted. Playing copies of dvd movies- GONE. FAT32 storage media aka usb hdd- GONE/ disabled. Copying save files- GONE. watching adult movies- GONE. Dont for what they’ll give ya a big banned account for using playstation home, voice chat, texting ext.
@rickcavedon
There’s no way just yet, as far as I know.
OK, Rick, I’ll roll with you, but let’s look at the facts of the case:
Sony had two significant security scares earlier this year, one of which caused massive headaches for older PS3 users, the other of which could, in willing hands, open the PS3 to all manner of attack. One was handled with grace; the other’s the ugliest thing the world has yet seen. For instead of simply patching the alleged flaw, Sony killed the thing that had the flaw altogether, doing so without tact and with a vague reason. This inadvertently opened the door to the possibility of the company robbing features at will, at the same time delivering an ultimatum: upgrade or we break your games.
I’m not happy about it, but I also don’t think it’s worth ditching my entire gaming investment over, as some are wont to do.
This thread has gotten ridiculous over here, if you want to fight, be reasonable. I am one of the ones protesting this but lets not make it into a carnival. Sony — anyone at Sony, please, I really just want a compromise, won’t someone listen and pass this on to the big guys? Can’t you let those of us on 3.15 connect to PSN normally, and give us patches or some kind of bridge to let us load future games? Please, I really just want to keep buying my games, supporting the studios I love. I’m a poor student, I can’t afford another PS3 and I shouldn’t have to. I give up my option to possible new features like cross game chat, backwards compatibility and all that, just let me continue to buy new games and play online please… If someone does actually “hack” the system this is all but forcing people to “hack” their PS3. I do NOT want to hack my PS3, are you really just going to keep your back to me after I supported you through every generation of this brand?
Well setting up your environment is not only fun to tinker with, its a major investment of time and energy. Not to mention if you are technical or a computer student, you can pull a whole lot of use out of the feature, so although I am torn about games I thought I was getting this and next month and beyond. I’m not sure that if they can’t reach out and offer some sort of compromise since they refuse to improve security that I really want to give up not only my tool for school, but keep paying into the pocket of a company that won’t even try to reach out to people who have obviously been using Linux since long before this hack. Heck check my install date on the partition, if its already there, they shouldn’t be able to take it.
sonys business isn’t good
Dear PS3 software developers,
INCLUDE PS2 EMULATION FOR ALL PS3 VERSIONS IN NEXT UPDATE SO WE’RE NOT ALL FORCED TO BUY A PS2 IN ORDER TO PLAY OUR OLDER GAMES! Thanks!
i hope from all these comment, sony will re-enable back otherOS feature for nect update, i’m the one in million support original game, and using ps3 as personal computer to watch movie in several format. this is bad move from sony. please bring my linux back. i’m accidently upgrade to firmware 3.21. bad luck
Just by the way… this was the biggest protection of being hacked for the PS3, there was no reason to hack it till now…
GJ guys GJ!
The want you to buy a PS2 to play PS2 games as they will get more money out of you.
I hope this posts.
There was no reason to hack the PS3 with OtherOS in there. Now that it’s gone, Sony has opened up a can of worms.
listen to yourselves. minus the one USELESS function they took away, there is still so much the ps3 has to offer. im sure that when your not wasting yours and everybodys time with whining on this blog you go right back to the machine that you claim to hate. ive been on this week planet for 26 years and have still yet to find any, i mean any, machine better than this magnificent creation that sony has produced. i personaly wouldn’t care if sony took all save gameplay. it is after all a GAME console, the playstion public should only be concerned about sony making better games, longer games and less crappy games,( I.e. uncharted 2 umong thieves, mag). plus im pretty sure that eventually in future updates we will get something the waste of time share blog asks for.
and ive seen people on here whine about sony not doing anything for there customers. didnt they make the GREATEST GAMING CONSOLE ever.?
@THe_HeKeLS
LOL LOL LOL LOL!
“didnt they make the GREATEST GAMING CONSOLE ever.?”
What a braindead comment.
@hekels
Yes they did make the best consol ever, then they turned it into an XBox, Just because you don’t use some of the features present, doesn’t mean others don’t. We paid a few hundred dollars extra for the Phat system for the extra bells and whistles. Once they start removing features from the slim units let’s watch all those that don’t mind what happened to us get as angry as we are.
I understand the security concerns, Sony, but how many users who actually use Linux on their PS3 will vow not to update their system, but rather join the effort to keep their PS3’s Linux capabilities afloat by installing custom firmware?
The PS3, like any other video game console, can be hacked. The option to install another OS, although not used by many, should never have been included in the first place if one day it was to be swept away when the first sign of hacking occurred. It’s unfortunate that hackers can ruin it for everyone (they will find a way around it, to be sure), but even more unfortunate that the rest of us have to be castrated, as it were, as well.
proves how japanese feel about americans
@dr_DOOM69
sonys bricking there own system downgrading everything, sd-card readers -GONE . 2 usb-GONE. super audio -GONE. FAT models a dying breed -SOON WILL BE GONE. otherOS- GONE. my respect – GONE. PS2disk support- GONE. updateing system sofware the correct way- GONEbrowser- SOON TO BE GONE. movie files the arent sony format from the playstation store- SOON TO BE GONE. Ps1 disk support- SOON TO BE GONE. free playstation network- SOON TO BE GONE. A keyboard soon to be disabled. Texting will be shorted. Playing copies of dvd movies- GONE. FAT32 storage media aka usb hdd- GONE/ disabled. Copying save files- GONE. watching adult movies- GONE. Dont for what they’ll give ya a big banned account for using playstation home, voice chat, texting ext.
sony no doubt will..
i dont care what anybody says the ps3 IS THE GREATEST GAMING CONSOLE EVER ! the fact that it doesnt say x box makes it better than all. i could have bought an empty box and it still would be more fun than any console out there. i dont think that 99% of you cry babies on here even care, but like people today 1 person complains everybody thinks they have to do it to, like a bunch of monkeys( monkey see, monkey do). as long as i can play games they can strip me of all my ps3s functions. i was happy to upgrade, i still download movies directly from the browser, same with music and photos. as a matter of FACT my ps3s browser works so much better than any computer ive ever owned , granted i havnt owned many but the point is clear. keep up the excellent work sony. i am dedicated for life.
THe_HeKeLS HAS to be a slim user to be making comments such as that, theres no way he could have an original ps3, yet still be ok with features he paid for being taken away
“as a matter of FACT my ps3s browser works so much better than any computer ive ever owned”
LMAO
What a dumb decision to remove Linux!!! You made very bad move $ony!! “More secure system for US”????? :D Can’t believe if this actually fools anyone.. You won’t keep hackers away from PS3 this way, you know it, just punishing legitimate users for something they haven’t caused… Wondering if this has to do anything with security at all, maybe there is OTHER REASON than geohot, wouldn’t be surprised coz these big companies are also big liars :(
HhAHahHAhahAha
THe_HeKeLS is so funny.
You are just a troll, man.
GTFO.
It’s alright for Sony to steal! But don’t you dare steal from them!
if hekels thinks the PS3 has one of the best browsers even better than a PC. it just proved he doesn’t have a clue, what hes missing out on. keep commenting jusy helps prove our point. The only people that don’t care are slim owners that haven’t lost anything, wait, i hear the browser is next.
I have a October 2008 160GB phat PS3 that I haven’t updated. I downloaded the update and then read about the removal of a certain function,I canceled the update. But I want to go on PSN! Does anyone know if I do the 3.21 update is it possible to still do CFW at a later date?
swordzmanp236, I agree with you.
“For instead of simply patching the alleged flaw, Sony killed the thing that had the flaw altogether, doing so without tact and with a vague reason. This inadvertently opened the door to the possibility of the company robbing features at will, at the same time delivering an ultimatum: upgrade or we break your games.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. For future games, I can’t wait until the first ones come out that require this or newer update. I can’t wait until people start returning them opened and want a full refund because they are incompatible. I sure know what I will do that with the first one that comes my way. And I can’t wait to see what the newspapers will make of this then, since my choice was to stay with v3.15 to keep “Other OS”, and thus I am now returning a defective product since it doesn’t work with my PS3 (even though it is marked as being for the PS3). And there is plenty of case law on the books that shows I am entitled to a full refund. I am sure the retailers will love this since they will be getting back opened product that they then have to deal with. I would suggest others that do not upgrade to do the same.