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)
I bought the “fat” PS3 after the slim model was already out, especially for this feature. I payed for this feature, you can’t just take it away.
If this is a joke, it must be the worst April’s fool joke ever.
Its in the TOS
3. SERVICES AND UPDATES
From time to time, SCE may provide updates, upgrades or services to your PS3 system to ensure it is functioning properly in accordance with SCE guidelines or provide you with new offerings.
Without limitation, services may include the provision of the latest update or download of new release that may include security patches, new technology or revised settings and features which may prevent access to unauthorized or pirated content, or use of unauthorized hardware or software in connection with the PS3 system.
Some services may change your current settings, cause a loss of data or content, or cause some loss of functionality.
SCE, at its sole discretion, may modify the terms of this Agreement at any time, including any terms in the PS3 system documentation or manual, or at http://www.scei.co.jp/ps3-license/index.html.
OMG! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :D
Patrick what about the bug that happen in February dose this update fix it?
It would have been more funny if they had said they remove the DVD support to push the BR sales. More people would have been pissed by this joke :)
Sony, you are f’in crazy to do this… seriously [DELETED] move.
just for this sony i hope your system gets the s**t hacked out of it
Good Move. Geohot was close at hacking the ps3. Look at xbox, its a mess with j-tags. Im glad ps3 did this. Will make ps3 look better than xbox. Ps3 is a superior and a safer machine than the 360. Soon ps3>xbox in every way.
Wow, you people sure are stupid.
look sony cant u be more smart cant u be like activition like wen they patch call of duty wen they glitch u dont see them making a patch that will remove a map right??? no exactly !!! they fix it not remove the whole thing think twice before removing this os if u do this i will never buy or recommend your products to any one in the mean time im going to have to wait and see if this is true ok so hopfully u make our customers happy let them have wat they want and the only way u can hack is if u have to open ur ps3 and do alot of things remeber geo hot said hardware his gay ass and his ps3 wont do much i know sony is scared but even if u patch geo hots can always use os if he dont update keep that in mind . u might want to reconciter wat u guys r doing i just hope u give and add more things not to take away im stuck here reading every ones comments and yea i dissagree with ur update really dont do this to us if u do . do this to us i will sue geo hots i hoestly think every one should blame george hots that [DELETED] is [DELETED] and his [DELETED] but yea sony back to you guys dont do this please i love sony but this time im not liking it at all thank u so if u guys dont do this to us
WoW, what an April fool’s Joke!!!! Are they Trying to turn are PS3’s into a Paper waight or a Door Stop I can’t tell. I guess there is No need to Fix my DEAD FAT Ps3. Buying a PS2 is cheaper =(
While I don’t even use this feature on my PS3, I’m more disappointed in the fact that still to this day we have no Cross Game chat or the ability to switch profiles without having to quit the game.
This doesn’t sound good. :(
You guys are pathetic.
“i feel sorry for the people who use ps3’s as clusters and may want to play games”
Yeah I’m sure that applies to about 0.0000000000001% of PS3s sold. OH NOES
This total and utter garbage. I PAID for this feature. What gives Sony the right to take away something I PAID for? I use Linux on my PS3 to let my kids surf safely, as I don’t want them on my main computer.
A class action lawsuit seems like a very good idea at this point.
@WIleEPyote:
You don’t need Linux to browse the internet on a PS3.
“It Does Everything”? Doesn’t run PS2 games and now doesn’t suport Linux anymore, I’m really disapointed.
Hey Sony, considering you are disabling half of my product (It was explicitly sold with labeling ON THE BOX that states it supports other OS installations) – Can I get half my money back?
This is like selling someone a table, and then breaking 2 of the legs off.
@Sony
Honestly – do you really think many people will download 20GB for each hacked game? I won’t.
I never used Linux on the PS3 in the first place but I don’t think removing the ability to install Linux on older PS3 is a good idea.
I mean hackers will be able to crack the PS3 one way or another. Since we were able to use Linux on PS3 I’m guessing PS3’s OS is a Unix based OS as well.
Since we’re talking about firmware updates – add DivX 7 support.
I never used the Linux feature since I only had the 250 GB slim PS3. I never would have used it anyway.
Anyway, I suspect there are more features than just removing Linus completely.
Maybe PS2 backwards compatibility or improvement in PS3 game play back?
I thought Blog.Share was for giving us more stuff not getting less stuff! :D
I didn’t use it anyway. Just bring back PS2 playback on the PS3 SONY :P
Sollte dieses Update kommen und mir sperren, was ich jetzt benutzen kann, so werde ich mich komplett von sony und seiner konsole verabschieden! ihr sollte euch viel lieber um wichtigere dinge kümmern die gefixt werden müssen.
OMG this is terrible… i actually use Xubuntu.
this is a terrible downgrade.
this will not be removed see here:
http://www.qj.net/qjnet/playstation-3/sony-phat-ps3s-will-not-lose-other-os-feature.html
and 601 yes legit users loose something 2. the other os portion can be used for productive things.
i firmly believe that this is a april fools. “The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST)” what the heck is JST of not something like joke standard time. good one sony. hopefully we do see an update soon but this will not be it…i think the next update will be to bring 3-d support.
SONY FACING LEGAL ACTIONS?
This is what Sony tells in marketing:
“In addition to playing games, watching movies, listening to music, and viewing photos, you can use the PS3™ system to run the Linux operating system. By installing the Linux operating system, you can use the PS3™ system not only as an entry-level personal computer with hundreds of familiar applications for home and office use, but also as a complete development environment for the Cell Broadband Engine™.!
And this is what Sony tells on the box of my PS3:
To continuously enjoy playback of copyright-protected Blu-Ray Discs, in some cases… the system must be updated.”
In other words: To use a marketed feature (Playing of BluRay) you have to update the system whereby you lose another marketed feature (Running Linux OS). IMHO this fully would rectify legal actions against Sony.
Oh dear Sony
You have made lost a lot of friends today!
Especially as it seems we are being penalised for the actions of a few in the community (the hackers). Couldn’t you just block their PSN IDs rather than remove functionality that we paid a small fortune for???
Very disappointed in you.
Hi Sony,
I can’t believe I’m reading this. And without any apologies what so wever?
Besides I think this move is illegal and I will pursue this if you go through with the above. The system was advertised to support the “Other OS” option. Sure I can decide not to upgrade, but as you mention this will mean the disablement of other featuren I paid for as well (won’t be able to sign in, run latest games etc.). This is clearly illegal, and everyone with a fat PS3 will in my opinion (IANAL) be entitled to a full refund at least under Danish law. This is what I’m going to pursue – see you in court!
I’m not a Linux user on the PS3, but a long term one in many other aspects. I bought one PS3 because I was thinking Sony was more opened to the world that the other vendors.
This si the best proof I was wrong. The security argument is fallacious. One someone uses when he can’t find any real good reason to explain such a move.
Marketing guy#1: Any idea to explain we no longer support Linux?
Marketing guy#2: Just tell them this is for security, it always works!
Not with me, shame on you Sony!
Count on me to avoid any product from you when possible.
i just want to mention how thoroughly disgusted i am, and i hope you get sued over this. i don’t know who you think you are- baiting people into buying your console early and then removing features from it, but that’s not how you operate if you want people to buy things from you in the future. just disgusting.
sue sue sue ^_^
Not at all happy about OtherOS feature being removed. I am considering selling console + all games.
and to the people who don’t use this feature and don’t care- well you still paid for it and they’re still taking it from you, and perhaps one day it’ll be something else you paid for AND used that they decide to take away, so pipe down. this is garbage. illegal garbage and i hope someone sues.
i’m right here waiting to join up! sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue sue
This is absolutely ridiculous, it was a selling point at the time of release of the Playstation 3. It was one of the reasons that there was so much of an uptake from techies.
I am based in Ireland and we have been totally screwed since the begining by Sony. First they delayed the worldwide release for months only to be presented with cheaper hardware with only emulated support for PS2 games. Now to be removing features from a system that I’ve had since release date is just plain annoying. Would I sell you a car and remove the engine from it 3 years later just because I had concerns about your “security”?
The only reason Sony are removing this is because they think that they’ll make more money off games if people aren’t distracted by non profit making features. Sometimes I wonder, Microsoft rip you off left right and centre but at least they are upfront about it!
I’ve been an avid fan of SCE since the conception of the Playstation and times are really changing now.
This is complete and utter garbage. For a long time I’ve been a big believer and promoter of Sony to just about everyone I know. I’ve refused to own any consoles outside the Playstation brand because I always believed they give us more than the other guys. That was true until today. To release and update merely for the sake of taking away a feature, instead of fixing it’s vulnerability is pathetic. I just bought and installed a 400GB hard drive just so I could use Linux on my PS3, and now it’s being taken away?!? Looks like I have a tough decision to make: to either take the loss of that feature, or go without using PSN. I may choose the latter, as I refuse to be told what I can and cannot do on a system that was advertised as having a feature, only to be screwed out of it later on. And for the $400 I spent on it, I EXPECT to be able to use every feature it has. This is the biggest letdown so far Sony.
Well that’s not new for me. I am from Bulgaria and since the very first sale of PS3 here we were promised a PS3 store so we can enjoy all the goods that are supposed to be a part of the kit. Nope, that never happened. I believe Sony has done a very poor job of convincing us that this is the right product to buy. That is why besides the PS3 I have an Xbox as well. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT AS USUAL, SONY!!!!
شباب هذا راح يضر البلايستيشن والا لا
ها
ايذ كان يضر نصيحه ياسوني لا تضغيه لكن نريد اللغه العربيه بالتحديث
[DELETED] UPDATE!! lets all get a xbox then they might do something good sony are slacking
I trust sony will be providing all Playstation Linux owners a Free external HDD for us to back up our data onto when we have to reformat our hard drives to get the now useless space back that was once taken up by Linux,
No… thought not.
Treating your customers like [DELETED] is not the way to win a console war. This is not going to stop piracy, not even slow it down. Those illegimate users that wish to pirate will figure out ways of spoofing firmware version numbers,or even installing custom firmware to allow them to continue playing online, New releases while the legitimate linux user is going to left with a gimped console, nice sony very nice.
WHY! we want the “install other OS” feature. LEAVE IT!!
اوكي ياسوني نريد العربي
What are you doing Sony?? I can’t believe this!
I WANT Linux on my PS3. :(
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
يالحوان اكل خرا نريد عربي
damn it no cross game voice chat:(
Awesome news! i rather have a secure system then not secure. Playb3yond
Microsoft officially announces the ability to use USB to install games on. Sony removes functionality instead of catching up to Xbox Live. Move looks way more uninspired than Natal.
2010 = NOT the year of the PS3
Honestly, this is the first time ever I see the 360 as the better system choice. That alone makes me sad :( I really need to watch the trailer to The Last Guardian now and play a bit of God of War 3 to resuscitate my faith in Sony again – at least halfways, a bit of it has been lost today.
What is this shenanigans? I have only used YDL a few times, but it was a cool learning tool for Linux. This seems like a highly questionable move legally. Although they call it “optional”, they’re forcing users to choose between losing one potentially valuable feature and several pretty much required features. Not really fair.
I’d also like to state that there was a point in time where YDL on my PS3 almost became my only computer (at the time, my PC had totally crashed, and I generally only use word processing and internet browsing… i ended up with a laptop, but what if I hadn’t? I’m a teacher, and I’d be left high and dry for a while)
Wow this was actually the whole reason I choose PS3 over Xbox, I liked the fact I had options. Pretty lame, no idea how this helps anyone.
I bought a system from sony that I can install linux, now sony takes that away. Can I have my money back?