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)
This is seriously retarded, is this even legal! i might have to sell my console and just give up on gaming…
@899
Um……… Lst I checked PSN was and is free, and on top of that the Terms of Online Service clearly state that Sony can remove any feature at any time without notice if you break or not break these rules.
A bunch of hackers brought up a lawsuit like the one you just mentioned on EA for blocking their BFBC2 hacks, and killing their servers when they broke the rules of having a ranked server by cheating, and hacking game files. It was struck down because EA had it clearly stated in the user agreement that they can revoke service at any time for any reason without notice.
Even DVDs, and Music downloads have laws, and rules on them, next you will whine about Sony being a plot to take over your home life…….. Get a life cheater.
Already submitted a support ticket explaining how bad of a decision this is and what I use linux side for. Anyone else who uses linux and cares about this feature should do the same. This is completely unacceptable I paid $600 for a machine with a certain set of features.
Sony I have stood behind you and defended almost every decision you have made. I bought a ps2 on launch, I bought a ps3 on launch, I bought a psp on launch. But when you do something like this it makes me rethink about whether I really want to keep supporting your company.
That’s a [DELETED] move. Way to screw your early adopters and those that intentionally spent extra money for the extra feature. Sony will need to do something huge (in a positive light) to redeem itself.
I will not be an early adopter for the Sony camp next gen.
This is a huge setback. Sony had already told us that they would NOT remove the other OS feature on older PS3’s. This was a great feature that set them apart from other consoles and added greatly to their “It only does everything” motto. More and more the PS3 is doing less than it originally did at the beginning. This hurts.
915: you obviously don’t have linux installed, or probably even know how.
I think Sony underestimated the number of Linux users.
So i called sony and the CSR told me i should deactivate my system now since i am not going to update as i wont be able to deactivate after the update rolls out so IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO UPDATE TO 3.21 DEACTIVATE NOW CAUSE IF YOU WAIT IT WILL MAKE YOU UPDATE BEFORE YOU CAN DEACTIVATE YOUR SYSTEM! i cant believe i wont be able to use the content i paid for just because i don’t want to LOSE a feature i use. This is so aggravating. Is anyone really going to file a Class Action Law Suit? Because i will testify! If so Email me at wcanare@yahoo.com
SO you guys will support Apple when they removed Nvidia software updates that make you games look better, and run smoother, and then remove apps from your famous IPhone because of “Bad quality or bad influence on children”, and you will also support them for removing fun and innovative games from the App store, as well as locking the OS to only allow 1 action at a time.
But Sony dose a preventive software removal of a feature that newer models don’t support anyway and you go all bug nuts? Your all lame for thinking like this.
I’ve had my ps3 since it came out, and I definitely use the other OS feature. I used the other OS feature for running my simulations for my research during college since it was the fastest computer I could get my hands on, and to that end it is still the fastest computer I own.
If you take away the option of using the other OS at the costs of my ps3’s functionality, then I’m going to have a hard choice between turning my ps3 into a brick that either only runs my simulations or only runs games. With the way things look I’m leaning on keeping my simulations, and taking my gaming/entertainment business elsewhere.
No I don’t touch apple because they have no idea what open source, open development, or freedom of choice mean at all…
What?? Joke right?? Hope they change their mind after seeing al the response please listen to the costumers sony.
This is ridiculous. It’s not a required feature for me, but it is a feature that made this console worth the high price I paid. I’m really tired of companies locking things down for legit users and blaming it on hackers. You’re hurting the majority (legitimate users) to spite the minority (hackers).
Try doing the things we’ve been asking for, guys. Increased video format support and PS2 backwards compatibility are the ones I care about and see others asking for as well. I know you can do these things, but you refuse. Between failed BD-ROM drives, refusing to add features that are entirely possible (and have already been done!), and removing features, you guys fail. You really need to show users you care about them rather than just your own pocketbooks.
To everyone who says “blame the hackers”: let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
It’s too bad GeoHot ruined this for the rest of us…
Thank you for thinking of us by protecting the system.
For anyone who doesn’t know. When a system becomes hacked, publishers pull out and we get less games. This is a good move for ps3 gamers.
#920 I do have linux installed. On a computer. because a barebones pc runs at what 200$ tops if you know how to build them.
maybe you shouldn’t call people out without knowing something first.
If by locking out “Other os” helps stop piracy on a system i support and want to see
A. Stay free to play online
b. continue to put out top a+ games
C. REMAIN FREE TO PLAY ONLINE
then piracy needs to be handled and slashing a nearly useless feature that is the reason for the recent leak. then sony
GO AHEAD AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
@915 It is not the same you can say all you want but yes we are angry especially those of us who are learning cell programming on the ps3. To get a comparable computer with the cell chip in it would cost us a hell of a lot more. The thing is the more people like me and others who are learning cell programming the better it is for the cell. There has been alot of great open source projects for the cell that would not have ever seen the light of day without the ps3 compatibility.
fyi, YDL 6.2 installed…
going to build a cluster out of plug computers instead…
YDL development on ps3 was fun, but no longer keeps my interest.
PlayStation : It only does everything…except that one thing it used to do…
I didn’t really even use this feature but it’s the principle of the thing. Its a whole update that does nothing but take from your supporters. Something which made the ps3 unique. At least give something in return so there isn’t over 900 posts ranting about it!!!
#928
then buy a 40gb ps3 and use it for that. there really cheap.
Huge fail Sony!
wow this totally sucks i am selling my ps3 what a bad update!
there not taking anything from us there protecting there business plan.
would you rather have “other Os” or Free online play?
“Other Os” or Companys that trust a company that has extremly low piracy problems?
927 and 927 what an ignorants is not necesary to remove the feature in order to prevent the console being hacked, what a nooobs! stop believing everything people says!
@917
Obviously you either can’t reason or can’t read.
The DLC games that you buy on PSN are not free. What about games that require a stay alive connection to run or new firmware versions? So if you purchased stuff thru PSN, you now have to give that up (not to mention any future games that will require newer firmware), or you have to give up being able to use your TV as a computer. Am I suppose to buy a new computer to hook up to my living room bigscreen tv when I paid extra money for the PS3 for this reason? Or am I just suppose to never play any new games (since new games will require new firmware version)
Learn to reason, or learn to think, idiot. This isn’t about cheating, it’s about Sony cutting corners. Sony should stop the cheaters by patching the holes — using the money we paid them! Instead of giving it out as big bonuses to their CEOs, and stealing our functionality.
I can go to almost any torrent site on the internet and Download for free xbox 360 games that are not even out yet!
but linux is more important then that I guess
I urge Sony to reconsider. I bought my PS3 for the linux capability, and have enjoyed playing PS3 games as a bonus. Removing Linux capability from future firmware will mean that I cease buying PS3 games, since I will not be upgrading my firmware. Instead, I would purchase an Xbox 360.
– The ps1 I bought in 1997 stopped reading discs in 2001
– The ps2 I bought in 2001 stopped reading discs in 2007
– I bought a ps3 in 2009 due IN LARGE to the fact that I could use OtherOS to emulate my NES and SNES collection which look terrible on my big screen when played off of the original consoles.
– I bought a new ps2 in 2009… frustrated that I could not get a backward compatible PS3
– I bought a psp in 2010 which has already stopped reading UMD’s due to shoddy laser design.
– Sony is now eliminating my ability to buy games like TMNT, Flower, Flow, MM9 and 10, PS1 Classics, watch stuff like The Tester
Sorry Sony, but your record does not speak well for you. This is where we part ways.
Wtf? is there really a point to removing this feature and not letting those who already use it continue to do so. what was the point of even permitting it in the first place then. also will those of us who paid full price for a console with this feature receive anything for u removing it from a system that we paid for.
Unbelievable. You can’t just take away functionality that was a selling point when I bought the system. A car company couldn’t disable the stereo or airbags three years after I buy a car.
Oh, and the claim that I “have a choice” to not upgrade and keep Other OS functionality is obviously just to give Customer Service something to say when people complain. If I don’t upgrade, then I don’t have access to PSN, which is another feature advertised when I purchased the PS3. So, I can either have Other OS or PSN, but not both? I’m losing functionality that I paid for either way. Weasels.
BAD SHOW, SONY.
Just adding my voice to the “bad move” side.
I’d rather see all the consoles fail and gaming move back to PC’s anyways.
The ability to run linux was one of the reasons that made me choose this platform over another one at the time of purchase. Never considered that it would be removed.
#938
please explain to me EXACTLY how cutting something like “other Os” is saving sony bundles of cash to give there CEO’s?
I’m going to join the chorus here and exclaim “WTH? At least do a bit of give and take. Unless this is a joke, someone failed PR 101.
It’s like they are punishing the early PS3 hardware owners, which are the people that have paid more for a PS3 because of it’s features. It’s like saying that we shouldn’t have bought and believed the PS3 in the past two years and that we should have only bought the PS3 Slim now. Sony should find a way to not allow this “hack” with the firmware update. What is next for “fat” ps3 owners? What if hackers find a way to run unathourized code using the media player or the internet browser? Would they remove these features too? I hope that Sony make it up to the early PS3 owners somehow (like a refund), or restore this feature in future firmware updates. It is one of the features I use and one of the reasons that I bought a PS3. So if they are removing it, they are stealing money from “fat” PS3 owners, the people who believed in the PS3 in the first place.
If I payed for a ps3 with several features that were described at the moment of purchase, and now you are taking away one of those features (and the upgrade will do nothing apart from taking away the feature), you should return part of the money I payed, because you are taking away a part of what I payed for. shame on you Sony!
and also its been reported that sony is still losing money on the slim 18$. those damn pocket stuffers still losing money like that!
Hopefully Sony doesn’t find out that “hackers” are using their free online service to play games…we may just lose that too!
nearly 1000 people are p*ssed sony listen!!!!!!
This is going to be a major problem for those that bought their PS3 because of the ‘Other OS’ feature like myself. The ability to program on the cell architecture under Linux for example is a major feature of the PS3 to just remove. Not updating the firmware will not be an option because then I will not be able to play newer games that will require it.
I will definitely be calling Sony. This is unacceptable to remove a major feature that I paid for. The alternatives to the PS3 cell architecture are very expensive.
When a cop pulls you over in your brand new camero going 155 do you then turn around and say well I want money back because i bought this because of the advertised top speed of 155 and your not letting me use it.
@945
It would cost them money and resources to pay coders to patch whatever hole that geo dude discovered last month. They think that by removing the whole OtherOs thing, they won’t have to spend that money, since the hole was accessed through OtherOS.
It’s like microsoft discovering a hole in Microsoft Word, and instead of paying their coders to patch it…Microsoft decides to release an “update” that removes Word from the rest of the Office Suite, saving the the hassle of spending money and resources on it.
Total FAIL.
Isn’t it about time Sony released a Firmware update with a decent new feature. How about a feature that people actually want?!.. MKV file support, DivX HD, subtitle support…. The list can go on. One step forwards 5 steps back Sony.
I’m going to laugh when this just ends up being an April Fool’s joke.
BAD move Sony….
This was one of the reasons that I was an early adopter on the PS3 and have pretty much abandoned all other consoles. You teased us with Linux on the PS2 and delivered fully on the PS3 and for that move I applauded you. For this move, cutting off the feature that made you such a forward thinking company, you should be ashamed. You are smacking many of your fans right in the face with this move.
I for one will NOT be applying this “update”. What I will keep is far more valuable to me that what you will take away.
i need other os or i sell my ps3 …. linux forever
#945
so those people go in and remove code for free?
and ms updates for free?
man im glad im not in that line of work how do you get paid?
KEEP REMOVING THINGS AND THE PEOPLE WILL REMOVE SONY FROM THEIRS HOMES…….. MUSIC PLAYER, VISUALIZATIONS, VIDEO PLAYER CODECS LIMIT , SYSTEM ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION METHOD , CREDIT CARD ISSUES, INTERNET BROWSERRR, WHAT ELSE THE LIST IS VERY LONG EVERYTHING IN THE PS3 HAS PROBLEMS,GLITCH OR IS A MESS. UPDATE EVERYTHING THAT NEED TO BE UPGRADED. I PAID 650 FOR A PS3 AND RIGHT NOW IS PIECE OF GARBAGE BECAUSE YOU CHANGE MY SYSTEM IN THE REPAIR AND NOW I CANT VIEW ANY OF MY PURCHASED VIDEOS …. MY NEXT SYSTEM WILL BE A BETTER SYSTEM, BETTER RELIABILITY, BETTER OPERATIVE SYSTEM , BETTER INTERFACE. XBOX WILL BE MY NEXT CONSOLE . IM TIRED OF YOUR SURPRISES AND KEEP REMOVING OUR FAVORITES THINGS THAT WE REALLY WANT . BYE SONY DONT TRY TO BE LIKE APPLE OR YOU WILL ROT LIKE THEM IN THEIR LITTLE FOREST.
I hope this is not real…
If this ends being true, the PS3 will be the last Sony Console I buy!
What’s next? Removing music player beacuse a hacker found a way to fool the OS? Or video player? Or anything else?
I did buy this thing in my country at launch… At 1,300.00 dollars! I font want my PS3 to start to lose its abilities!
I use Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala to have Firefox, my email and messenger like apps!
I really hope this ins a juke…. A non funny one
f*** this, I knew this would happen ever since that retard did that “hack” that enabled more control of the hardware under linux…
DO NOT DO THIS SONY!!!
I used to love Sony, but I’m starting to loose faith, and nothing has been shown to me to make me not loose faith.
With every new update to hardware and firmware, we loose functionallity. There is no longer backwards compatibility on the new systems, there is no option to install another OS on the PS3 anymore, what next? What will you remove from the PS3 next?
I’ve already seen plans to create a gaming experience that requires users to continuously feed money into the game to maintain functionality. Is that next? Is the removal of a good gaming and console experience next?
@953
No, it’s more like Chevy selling you the Camero on the basis that it can do 155. And then when you try to do 155 on the NASCAR circuit (or any other place where the speed limit is legal), Chevy pulls you over and says, no, that speed doesn’t work on this car and you can’t really use it — even though you paid for it.