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)
@2008 couldn’t have said it better
i meant 2009 lol
I don’t use it myself… but I can see it making some people mad. Sad [DELETED] bag mc-tar-nuts had to go all “hey look I broked into tah PS3s!!” and get Sony all scared about it becoming a pirate machine like the PSP is. G’damn pirates, ruining it for the rest of us.
So, why isn’t SONY replying to this? Freakin’ 4sshol3s!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow over two thousand replies. This is remarkable.
Wow…just wow! This controversy caught my attention today at 8:00a. How does it feel, Sony, now that your maneuvers are making front-page news at IDG?
While I welcome any decision that would legitimately strengthen the PS3’s security, this doesn’t feel like such a decision. Instead, it just reeks of boneheadedness, just as moves to pare down backward compatibility did in ’07-’08. I myself have never messed with Linux on the PS3, but it’s pretty clear that many have–and they have every right to be fuming at you. They (and I) paid $500+ to get a system that plays quality games and movies with a little something extra tossed in for creature comfort, and now this company is using a veiled excuse to flip off its most ardent (albeit at times somewhat gullible) supporters? That’s how you lose support.
I find it ironic that Sony dominated in the sixth-gen wars because the PS2 could do things no other box of its day did, and now the PS3 has nothing apart from Blu-ray to make it stand above the rest.
Way to go, Sony! Even if this is all a hoax, it deserves to be placed front-and-center on a wall of shame!!
Has Sony ever replied on here before?
Either this is a bad joke for April’s fools, or sony is gonna piss off alot of users.
@2009 According to Geohot, all PS3s (SLIM included) are capable of PS2 playback, RIGHT NOW, via software emulation.
Sony “turned off the switch” on the slims so that they could milk you for your hard earned money with future “PS2 classics.”
At this point I wouldn’t be surprised for them to disable PS2 support on older models.
Money first.
I am also outraged. I do use the other os feature and it is very helpful for many that use it, Just cause you don’t use it doesn’t mean it’s not important or useful for others. I guess I will have to buy a samsung bluray player so I can watch the 3D movies and just keep my PS3 around until the hackers you are trying to deter come up with something better than what you have to offer. As far as gaming… you have lost a loyal customer. I, like many others, have the option to get a different console.
April Fool Jokes: (by the company themselves!)
God of War 4 Surprise release 4/1/10 = LOL
God of War 3 recalled from error that breaks PS3, & we’ll release an update that will make PS3 more secure, but render GOW3 unplayable! = FAIL
Update that will REMOVE an original feature = EPIC FAIL!
Oh come on! This is complete [DELETED]! Sony you’re not very bright, just look at all these comments of disapproval.
SONY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!
COME BACK FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE!!!
I wasn’t very interested in geohots exploit before but now that Sony thinks it can remove this feature I will definitely keep an eye out for what exploits become available so that I don’t lose this functionality. You could have just fixed the hole instead of screwing all of your customers. Your console will be hacked one day whether you like it or not.
@2019 McDuck:
Given that the newer ‘phats’ ran PS2 via software emulation, it never made sense for Sony to claim that PS2 BC removal was a cost-saving measure, as the technology was already in place.
Hopefully they won’t disable PS2 compatibility in the older models (which I currently enjoy quite a bit). Sony will have have to enable PS2 emulation in the newer models to sell so-called “PS2 Classics,” unless of course Sony plans on porting all those title to run natively the PS3 environment–I kinda doubt it would be worth the expense to do so.
@2019: No need for paranoia, now. Even were it true, the first two iterations of PS3 could go unaffected. At worst, they’d be “soft-blocked”–but some clever soul would find a way through.
Installing Linux was never advertised as a selling point for PS3 and its a feature that 99.9% will never use.The vast majority probably have no idea it is even there.So @2008 blu ray is a selling point and to say they might decide to remove it is ignorant.Linux gives a window to crawl into the system that is how it was hacked and myself like the vast majority dont use it.@2011 I own 2 official headsets and a couple of others this is an expected feature and one that is used other os feature is on the opposite side of the spectrum.
Great! Thank you Sony for [DELETED] us around again just like you did with the PS2, an ancient kernel and measly support for Linux.
Now, the one console that actually has so much power that it can easily be used for good things like climate modelling and stuff like that – is being locked down just because of “security” issues.
If you created a console that was open, and didn’t have all this crap and actually gave us access to the hardware THAT WE PAID FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE, you would have so many other institutions buying a PS3. No wonder your going broke….
So this is now a lie!
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
So are you refunding those of us who wasted money because we liked the idea behind what you have in all of your advertisements, “It only does everything”?
Be sure you’ll be getting plenty of angry call complaints soon from me, I expected better than something this low from Sony, and hate how you guys have proven me wrong.
This is so wrong. I don’t even have the words. Shame on you Sony. BAD Sony! This is no way to treat your customers. I guess I’ll have to hold off on the “upgrade” (SOME UPGRADE!) to see if another alternative becomes available through other channels.
Remove BC from 20 60 80gb?You think they are going to show up at your door open up your ps3 and remove the hardware from your ps3?The ps2 hardware inside your ps3 allows you to play ps2 games.Some of these posts are ridiculous paranoid cult kind of [DELETED]
@2012
sorry for being off-topic, but i was REALLY expecting the 2012 comment to say something like
“The world will END Dec. 21, 2012”
sorry LOL, i was just REALLY expecting to see that. i got back on here just to see wat it says, i guess this is wat happens when ur PS3 dies and ur just extremely bored from not playin MW2 for like 4 weeks and counting.
Haha
@2027 if you bought your PS3 after you saw those ads you were buying a slim.
don’t you miss the old days when consoles had everything they advertised on the back of the box? To everyone calling these people whiners saying they’re acting like children for feeling they’re entitled to the other os option,they are it was bought and paid for therefore they’re entitled to it. hard to wrap your head around I know.
This is ridiculous.
The other OS feature is one of the reasons I specifically bought a PS3. As a feature it weighed up evenly with being able to play games and play bluray movies. The PS3 was bought over other consoles because of it’s versatility and know 1/3 of that (for me) is being removed.
I also specifically bought the older version of the console knowing that this feature was removed in newer ones. It was so key to the reason I bought it.
I feel cheated. Functionality I specifically paid for is now being removed. That’s not fair, how can you do that, Sony?
Normally I am one to tell sony the first thing thats on my mind. However I must admit if its for security then okay. However I dont really understand whats going on here. I am not the most computer technically savvy guy out there. I have ps3 slim and im confused by all the comments. WIll this affect me and will this get rid of my internet browser for ps3
Sony’s worried about HACKERS REALLY!!!! Hell Sony BMG was infecting our pc’s with bogus Music CD’s. I never heard Microsoft Say “no more playing Music CD’s” because Sony wants to invade your privacy and let hackers exploit your PC’s. Sony is an a$$backwards joke of a company. Money, Money, Money, Take, Take, Take…Sony You have some of the most loyal consumers on this freaking planet, Oh but I think you know and take full advantage of that fact. Loyal or just plan stupid consumers, I guess I should of said because I know that’s what your thinking. If you were thinking at all. Those stupid loyal people “WILL TAKE WHAT WE GIVE THEM AND LIKE IT OR WE’LL JUST SHOVE IT DOWN THEIR THROATS” but only after we take their money of course!!! SONY YOUR THE REAL HACKERS WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NOT SOME PUNK KID THAT HAS MORE BRAINS THEN YOUR LITTLE BITTY THINK TANK. IF I WERE YOU I’D FIRE ALL YOU LITTLE GUPPIES AND HIRE YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE COME TRUE GUY!!! THEN MAY BE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING DONE. AT LEST HE’S A FORWARD THINKER LIKE THE REST OF THE REAL WORLD. dam
@2034 your browser isnt going anywhere and owning a slim it will not affect you.@2033 If the reason you bought a ps3 was the other os feature thats crazy.Also to my knowledge it has never been advertised on the box or anywhere else for that matter.
Most of these outraged fans are trolls and dont even own a ps3 so im wasting my time here.Slaps self
Considering I purchased the PS3, an older “bulky” version, for the OS feature: I am irate. If Sony does disable this feature, I will make it a point to never purchase another Sony product again, and also persuade anyone who is considering a Sony product to go the other way. I know my actions will not have any noticeable impact on Sony’s revenues. However, I am certain that I will not be the only person who will boycott Sony products.
That is B.S.!! why would you add such an awesome feature then take it away?? FAIL !!!
Remember to vote for the petition to keep the otheros feature on the Blog Share.
yoohoo jeff where are you? i think some people would like some answers.
Its a shame I have to punish Game developers over this absurdity. As I will no longer be purchasing games or investing more money into my PS3 console. No more DLC, no more PSN downloads. How can I trust Sony to provide the features I love if they remove them on some whim.
I’m sorry, BioWare, Bethesda Softworks, Infinity Ward, Capcom, and all the other greats out there offering amazing and fun products. Even more sorry that I led you to believe I would be committed to investing in your products on the Sony PS3.
Final note for legitimate users of this feature that sux 4 u.I understand it is lame in that aspect.
Good “MOVE” by Sony, but Geohot (the dump hacker) already replied this blog posting:
“A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play”
BTW: If Sony disable this feature, it would be nice to reintegrate backwards compatibility.
chris,grace,anyone?
@tebruno 2042 im assuming that means you are buying them on your 360.Fanboy go play halo 3
@2035
It was advertised at the trade show events, and at computing events. It was *the* headline feature. It was marketed as a cheap dev system for CBE-based environments, which it is. If you want a CBE-based server you’re looking at ~$20k for only 2x what’s in a PS3. If you want a CBE-based laptop, you’re looking at ~$5k for 50% of what’s in a PS3. There aren’t many other options. Being a dual-use system, for home and work, was a primary determinant for many of us who use this feature.
nice, I’m filling out complain for false advertisement and I wans to be refund (btw my ps3 cost me 800$ back in time…) . thx sony, now i have to buy another ps3 to play with my friends because im using my old one as a renderfarm… but i will not, ill simply go to the concurrence like a lot of others until you get back OtherOS. Why should we be punish because someone on earth found that it was theoretically possible to crack your system…
I too will be boycotting Sony and encouraging others to do so too. So at least I will end up costing this backstabbing company a couple of thousands of dollars.
I know it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I’m sure Sony knew they would piss off someone like me and would lose my business forever. Thats all part of their backstabbing moneymaking equation, but at least I can protect myself and friends from a company that sells you something then removes it via a firmware update.
Good luck with all of your financial losses Sony. You deserve to go bankrupt. Thats what happens when you piss off your customers.
it’s not a war on pirates it’s a war on personal freedom.
@ 2047 I guess you were referring to me.Advertised at trade shows and and computing events if you are attending those and interested in those features you purchased it as an investment in cheap computing hardware not as a gaming system.So dont update it the update is optional.the military and other corporations that bought it for computing power wont update it.It is an optional update after all.
This is just a ploy for people not to update their old PS3’s and go buy a junkie a$$ Slim…MONEY,MONEY,MONEY,TAKE,TAKE,TAKE that should be Sony’s catch phase!
Not a war on pirates its a war on personal freedom man thats rich.I am done with this game.l8r
xbots and trolls lol
I cant believe so many people dont see the obvious… The update is on April First!
APRIL FOOLS is SONY’s PLAN B
Get with it man