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)
Better be one sick joke.
Wow. REMOVING a feature and giving us nothing useful. Sounds like a GREAT update. /sarcasm. Its certainly not the most important thing, but you might want to rethink your “it only does everything” advertising. Thanks again for nothing Sony.
Wow…I hope Sony wises up and looks at EVERY SINGLE NEGATIVE COMMENT on here!! +1 negative. This is a terrible choice!!
Has anyone called the number provided about this?
What the hell. Sony your moving backwards and i can’t figure out why. From the first Gen ps3 to the new PS3 slim you took away so much.
I think I know what your doing. You guys are going to keep downgrading your units and then when it’s time to release the PS4 it will simply be a first gen PS3.
I see what your doing and honestly I don’t like it. Please stop !
Way to go Sony. How about building your system more secure instead of patching away perfectly good features?
You really dropped the ball this time.
How can you kick early adopters in the private parts by cutting away OTHER OS?
I hope you will loose much money in the future because you are that unloyal to your customers.
THIS IS NOT A SPAM. Sony please fix these things! :( Still waiting for Pan and scan/letterbox zoom in when playing 4:3 DVD/Blu-Ray content: h ttp://tinyurl.com/ykjkm88
and PS2/PS1 games are still dealing with scaling issues as explained here: h ttp://tinyurl.com/yde8apr
(hint, give us a customizable screen adjust like when playing PS1 games on PSP OR fix the aspect ratio )
and give back Ps1 texture mapping graphics like the PS2 did:
h ttp://tinyurl.com/ybyscup
*put together the links yourself ’cause it’s my comments are always going under moderation whenever I post links.
I didn’t buy the PS3 to run Linux or be a hacker, so this doesn’t bother me; however, if you’re going to release an update you need to push your Product Development teams a litter harder!
theyve already screwed early adopters many times… besides taking features like this away, they screwed up with a faulty system… $600 and what did we get? no extras, no bonuses, no thank you, no extended warranties because of the faulty equipment… instead, $150+ shipping to get it fixed and even then there is no guarantee… its like coming out with the PSP-Go, that had fewer features, smaller screen, etc., yet they price it higher than the more superior PSP systems… nice way to take a big step backwards…
Another thing I’d like to add:
Now that OTHER OS will say goodbye offically, the hacking will most likely truely begin.
Initially there was no need, but now there will be. I hope you get hacked to nirvana.
I was thinking the same thing. Hackers now have a good reason to hack the system further. I know for sure that I’m NOT updating, and will wait for a hack so I can do homebrew, pirate, etc. THANKS TO SONY.
879 totally agreed.
This is to block hackers, and cheaters. I for one support it big time! Force those cheaters out of the system by any means, and on top of that prevent them from ever hacking the PS3 to start with.
It’s the other OS install feature that has lead to many PS3 hacks, and cheats right now. Removing this will cut the hackers at least in half as they will have to find new ways to cheat online.
I love how not a month ago Sony announced that it is “fully committed” to the support of the other OS feature on the older PS3’s. Thanks Sony, I have been a loyal consumer for years and now take away a key feature of a system that I ONCE thought was amazing. Why not try to patch an issues like you normally would, but instead you are taking the easy way out and just remove the feature completely. It seems you can never take a company’s word seriously anymore…
as you see, not good feedback from your customers. waiting to see how the backlash affects the PS3
This post will reach 1000 posts, historic [DELETED] up Sony
This is unacceptable. I bought the PS3 for both it’s ability as a game machine and a platform to learn how to program the Cell. Please don’t remove this feature, or figure out some way to allow us to dual-boot.
I really thought of seeing something new in this update. Not disabling OS because of one guy that says he hacked into the ps3 using this? it would be easier to patch around this without having to get rid of the os feature
:Facepalm: Fu** you sony
Hmm.
I purchased a PS3 partly to learn how to program the cell processor. Part of this was to learn how to program games for the PS3, even without full access to the GPU.
I am disappointed, to say the least. I am disappointed because Sony is choosing to completely remove part of the reason I purchased a PS3. It’s like removing the ability to play CDs in a DVD player — if the customer chose your product based on its abilities, you are betraying the customer by removing those abilities.
I most definitely feel betrayed.
wow… this definitely sucks. Really set the console apart from the others. Made me feel Sony embraced open source OS… :(
I also bought my PS3 for $500 because I also wanted this Linux feature. I used it all the time to run Xubuntu 10.04 from my PS3. I have spend hundreds of hours on this. I tell my friends how COOL the PS3 is and much better than MS’s XBOX because SONY gives you this OS option. I guess I’ll through my PS3 out, and tell my friends with XBOX’s they were right all along. Is that what you want? YOU WANT XBOX TO WIN???????
Hopefully this is the worst April Fool’s Joke ever…horrible, horrible move Sony, horrible…
Sorry folks, but Linux Support was an advertised feature, I made my purchase decision based on that. Basically you may buy back my PS3 and my games or receive ligitation.
I bought that bugger solely because it allows me to play GT5 and run Linux on it. I loose one ? F*** Sony.
I bought multiple ps2 and ps1 in my lifetime, because of Gran Turismo and later the Linux feature – now you have a microsoft / nintendo customer.
Have a nice day. See you in Court.
881…are you serious? No cheats have been because of the Other OS feature. The reason they removed it is because someone found a hardware hack to modify a few system files. As of today, the hardware hack has no real use to regular users right now.
Honestly…who is this effecting for people to get up in arms about it?
maybe .0000000000001 percent of ps3 users?
it was nice to have this option but who really uses it?
not going to miss it BECAUSE I OWN A COMPUTER!
c’mon people
Is this an April fools joke?
IT
ONLY
DOES NOT
RUN LINUX
For whose security is this for??
What about those who legally enjoy the features of the Other OS??
I had plans to make great use of YDL on my ps3 >:(
This is indeed sad. While I don’t use the feature myself, I know multiple early adopters that paid $600 at launch for this system because of this advertised feature.
Bad form indeed, Sony. You took away hardware and software emulation for the PSX/PS2, and now you’re taking away optional OS installation support–both items that you advertised at the launch of your system.
And to think I was under the impression that Sony had righted the proverbial ship this generation…
Thank for not adding anything…
Sarcasm mode: ON [OFF]
APRIL FOOLS AMIRITE?! :(
It’s not an April fool’s joke, b/c several game developers have confirmed that they’ve contacted SONY and gotten the same answer and are mad about it. It’s scheduled for April 1st, b/c that’s the last day of the work week before Good Friday.
This is total bull, SONY. After their antics with the rootkits installed on music CD’s, you’d think SONY would learn. But, just as they get positive press and start to rise out of 3rd place, they pull some stupid crap like this.
I personally DO have linux installed on my PS3 — along with the wireless keyboard and mouse I purchased to be able to use my big screen TV as a monitor. But regardless of whether anyone uses the function or not…We PAID money for it. We also paid money to play games on the PSN.
So the option you propose of either losing Linux, or losing PSN is not viable. Because we paid for BOTH, even if we never use it — you even marketed it as such. This is false advertising at the very least, and illegal. If you think you can take away something we paid cold hard cash for because of “security” or some cover your ass EULA, watch that EULA be struck down in court. Class Action Lawsuit, here we come!
If there’s an exploit or bug in your software, it’s your responsibility to fix it, not by removing functionality to save yourself from spending money (OUR money that we PAID) on hiring people to patch a hole.
This is about you cutting corners and reneging on your agreement at time of purchase — false advertising, breach of contract, theft of services.
Don’t trot out the bogeyman of “security” or “piracy”. Wii and XBoX are doing fine even with those bogeymen. This is about you abandoning your contractual obligations in order to save a couple of dollars. Some marketdroid probably figured removing features means not having to spend money to patch a hole, and saving money from supporting something you used as marketing launch bait that you now no longer find profitable.
And for those people who defend Sony, if they get away with this, what other feature might they axe next in the name of saving money — I mean “security.”
id have to say that for the ppl who dont care for this move on sony’s part need to uderstand alot of ppl spend money on this system and a hacker was getting to the ps3 through the OS feature, its being removed because of that issue, i kno many ppl who use it will be hurt but hey the greater good prevails here. like many ppl said b4, id rather have a secure system then one bout to be hacked and compramised. NOW WHAT SONY NEED TO DO IS FIX THE WEB BROWSER IN REPLACEMENT WHICH I DONT THINK THEY EVEN PAY MIND TO
Theres no justification to remove the feature, I agree with dernikolaus “889” i paid $600 dlls for the console for all the features it had, OtherOs, Backward compatibility etc..
Ok Sony since you are getting rid of an option that we’ve had since the original release of the PS3. COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE US THE OPTION TO INSTALL OUR GAMES TO OUR HARD DRIVES, THOUGH STILL NEEDING THE DISC TO PLAY OF COURSE, SO WE CAN GET BETTER LOAD TIMES, LESS WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR BLU-RAY DRIVES, AND KEEP OUR PS3’S COOLER?
Get over it people, as long as you guys you can still play your ps3 games, then you shouldnt be complaining.
ITS A DOWN GRADE LOL
OH YEAH AND I ASKED FOR THIS ON THE SHARE.BLOG 2 WEEKS AGO AND STILL HAVE NOT SEEN MY IDEA OR DOES IT SHOW FOR SUBMITTED IDEAS. ALSO I AM SHOWING 0 COMMENTS WHEN I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I HAVE MADE ATLEAST A HAND FULL OF THEM.
LINUX!!!!!!!!!
I did use the other-os feature all the time. This really pisses me off, but it is kind of weird that the update is going to be released on April 1st and it is 3.21 not 3.20, kind of sounds like a count down,3…2…1… Maybe a new feature or at least 3…2…1… Just Kidding.(fingers crossed)
I’m still praying this is just a joke. I really have to reformat my hard drive and remove my Linux installation cause of some lame update?
Bah lets just take photos, music, web browser, dvd, cd, bluray playback etc for all those saying don’t complain as long as you can play PS3 games. “Please corporations and governments have your way with us”…
Sony’s To-Do List for the PS3:
1. Remove media-card reader. CHECK.
2. Remove half the USB ports. CHECK.
3. Remove Emotion Engine for PS2 Backwards Compatibility. CHECK.
4. Remove SACD support.
5. Remove Software Emulation for Backwards Compatibility. CHECK.
6. Remove voice chat from Playstation Home. CHECK.
7. Remove uncensored text chat from Playstation Home. CHECK.
8. Remove main power switch. CHECK.
9. Remove OtherOS install. CHECK.
Moving in the right direction Sony!
I’m happy they’ve removed the cancer than was Linux. I’ve been forced to use Linux for my job for the last 4 years, it’s the biggest pile of crap OS ever created. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s good, or useful in any way.
Sony’s treating it like it should be treated.. A dead weight that should be shown the door as quickly as possible, and ignored like it’s never been there to begin with..
Good riddance from everyone who’s been or is being forced to use Linux for their job.
It´s a sad news. To who use ps3 to scientific simulating and modeling and use all the “Cell power” and enthusiasts.
It´s a bad news to who bought the fat version thanks to a new functionality of the system and believed in sony´s theme: make.belive.
Fail, Sony. A HUGE FAIL!!!!
All yours engineers can´t combat a just hacker!
very nice Fool’s day joke. If this were true my dear coleagues, Sony could be getting a couple of class action lawsuits, as I already consulted my lawyer, they adevertised that feature in the media not long ago, and even being a Fool’s joke, it doesnt do them any good, as this rumor will spread and a lot of people are going to just get the word of mouth ”SONY SUCKS, PS3 SUCKS”, so this is not a joke that is going to be funny not even for them. Bad strategy advisory, I guess Microsh*t have the upperhand anyways. I really hope at leat they knock us$50 off the retail price to compensate for this. Stupid, very stupid thing to do.
so since this is only removing the feature from the older systems, (slims don’t support it) I suppose Sony will do a free trade from an older box that supports it to a new slim? I mean, the functionality is going no matter what.
No? Then I’m pissed.
I want my money back. I bought a PS3 with the option to add another OS, suddenly removing it is plain evil.
So, I can choose not to upgrade, but then a lot of other functions will be disabled instead, so that’s not an option either.
Really really bad move, Sony.
Z1 Computer – The First Freely programmable computer – 1936. im pretty sure if you want linux back you can get one of those. or a more recent version. my point is WOW are you people serously angry?