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)
@2037 – TrIKKey / You assume too much. Those who are posting here have PSN accounts. That means we OWN a PS3. It isn’t like Slashdot where anyone can post; to post here is to have a PSN account, and for that, you’d have to have a PS3.
The only “trolls” here are the ones that troll about this curbing “piracy”.
Great Company’s are not going to Joke about taking away something people have payed for…Thats called STEALING in AMERICA
@2045 lol, Why would I trade non-freedom and disabling of features for archaic control from a company that admits you don’t own anything you buy?
Anyway, don’t change the subject. This isn’t about Sony vs Xbox. This is about purely about Sony. Sony’s choices, Sony’s actions, and Sony’s disregard for its customers. It hurts everyone, even developers.
@2058
The ironic part is the users defending such practices. I would like to see them when Sony decides to take out a feature they actually use. Every PS3 user should be outraged because of this.
So funny watching so many people FINALLY figure out what the PS3 really is. Yeah it a semi-powerful gaming rig, but its also functioning about one half the level of what you payed for.
The PS3 is a DRM filled machine that none of us own, we just rent from Sony.
Development on PS3 is difficult so “not just anyone can take full advantage of what the system can do”.
Dance puppets, dance!
The machine itself is like a monkey tamer handing out small rewards to developers over the years for jumping through hoops when the developers might actually be able to do much better on their own.
Not that the Cell isn’t powerful, it just isn’t when its been neutered to death with DRM.
I’m just glad this cat is finally coming out of its bag on a large enough scale to get some attention, maybe now Sony will actually have to put up or shut up in the content and feature departments.
By the way, I do buy games and play ’em, though as with any console of late, I’m pretty selective of the games I wanna play. Even with the onslaught of the XBox360, I’ve remained faithful to Sony, and went for the PS3.
2052 i was just joking with that it’s an old quote about the war on drugs. lighten up
2060 – Right on Brother
@2058 your a troll or ignorant you dont need to own a ps3 or a psp for that matter to create a psn account.Get your facts straight and alot of these posts are from trolls and 360 fanboys you can believe that. Piracy is a huge problem for developers publishers and Sony from movies music games etc you like to get paid for your work??
@2050
The point was for it to do both. At $600, that’s quite the investment for someone like me. I don’t have the money to go out and buy any old thing just because it’s fun, or even helps me with work. That the few games I’ve been able to afford will stop working if I don’t update is a big deal. I can’t just go out and buy a new PS3 to play games on, and I can’t give up my Linux environment. I’m generally stuck.
Just because I can influence funding decisions at work doesn’t mean I have any funding at home =P.
Countdown until we start seeing tons of ps3s on ebay…
You better believe mine will be there
2065 – Please get your numbers right thanks in advance.
it’s still not much of an option if it gimps your system. that my friends is called (say it with me) a catch twenty-two
Wait to sell your ps3’s on ebay. Sell it to hackers without the new firmware on it. I bet you could make some cash.
“Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue the support for previously sold models that have the “Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will not be disabled in future firmware releases.”
– Sony’s Geoff Levand (I hope the guy still has a job by the way)
http://lists.ozlabs.org/pipermail/cbe-oss-dev/2010-February/007202.html
“One of the most powerful things about the PS3 is the “Install Other OS” option.”
– Sony’s Phil Harrison
http://kotaku.com/235049/20-questions-with-phil-harrison-at-dice
********************Infuriating? C’mon people, don’t make me laugh even harder. It’s just a joke. What do you think (JST) stands for? April 1st, 2010, Joking Standard Time? Lol, seriously, chill out and have a cookie. You’re not losing anything.*********************
(JST) = japan standard time.
@ 2067 your old games will continue to work if you dont update.Some newer games may not but the ps3 was not being sold as a computing device for business.
If you will be placing your PS3’s on eBay. Please don’t update! and please say you haven’t updated in your eBay listing so that the people that need this feature for clusters and other types of usage can know they can count on your system still working!
2071 – It’s just bad business, If your statement were true.
@2072
If games depend on PSN, they’ll stop working without the update. Update is required for PSN access.
So it is a lot of you here lets talk about storytelling in halo 3?
very true 2075
Nobody should be defending this. *No one*. Sony is removing a feature that it continues to advertise and that *we all paid for*, even if we don’t use it. The cost of the development time that went into the Open Platform is built into the price of the system.
You’d have to be absolutely blind to defend this jerk move. Saying you’re against having products you paid for gimped after the fact by the company that made them does not make you a troll. It makes you a consumer that believes in getting what you paid for.
I’m about done with Sony game systems if this really goes through. Not because there’s some other game system out there that runs Linux, but because I haven’t heard of MS or Nintendo intentionally crippling your console after you buy it.
there is no honor in doing this. if this is done i can no longer support sony as a consumer. when debating on what product to buy i would site numerous examples of sony’s commitment to it’s consumers and products. i have read many times that sony is committed to supporting is older ps3s as i was an early adopter i felt gratitude for their stance. is this the commitment that i can now expect from sony. i can no longer be the proud owner of a sony product nor can i debate on sony’s commitment to the consumer. i have been wronged by sony. this is truly a sad day for proud owners. i MUST turn my back to you.
@2076 That is true I neglected to think of that.You wont be able to play those online.Good point.However if you choose to give up playing your games online and future games not being compatible then you didnt buy it as a gaming rig.Which is what it is.
@2066 / I can’t see any use for a PSN account without a PS3. Would you like to pay for something and then get it to dissappear? Because that’s what basically happened. Piracy is a problem, but in the 4 years that OtherOS has been available, no one has broken the GameOS. Hardware attacks will happen with or without OtherOS, see the 360 and the Wii. Rest assured, I’m NEVER going to buy a 360 or get a pirated PS3 game.
Yes I do like to get paid for my work, I develop stuff for a living.
If anything, the OtherOS option was what kept hackers from hacking the PS3, they only wanted linux on their PS3s so there was no legal need to crack the thing. Now they’re going to come down en masse and do the real GameOS-cracking breakthrough. Then I’ll be sad because I like the damn PS3 platform, but piracy will really take it down hard.
Sony, listen us. You’re shooting yourselves in the foot!!!
You sound like a Sony employee/apologist TRiKkey. So how about you inform the people who paid $400-$600(and some even more) what they’ll get in return for a feature they expected being removed?
BTW, I DO own a PS3 and owned a PSP for a while too. I’m just one of the ones who waited until a price reduction and this crap makes me glad I did. But I still fully support those who aren’t happy because they paid a nice piece premium to Sony, just to have their console turned into a Slim. I’d be pissed too.
Lol somebody send me an advertisement for other os I would really like to see that.
I play primarily for online play, I’ve honestly yet to even get through the single player on any game I own. I also love the fact that I can use it as a linux box (which I actually use more.) It was well worth the almost 1000 I spent on it in total for it to do everything I want it to.
Now I have to chose between the two things I use it for?
I don’t know… if this is legit, its really low and WILL cause me to sell it.
@2081 – I bought it for both things. Just like my cellphone, a Blackberry 9000 is a cellphone, but hey! I can develop stuff for it! It can connect to the internet! Wh0a! Looky here! I can edit my Excel files! I can search stuff near me with the internal GPS!
Many things these days are sold as a “something” that can also do other stuff. Most of the time, that “other stuff” will sway us one way or the other. Under your assumption, you shouldn’t complain if the next firmware update removes mp3/AAC support. It is a *gaming rig* after all, not an mp3 player. Remove the browser! It is a *gaming rig*, not an internet browser.
…
@2083 http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html ?
http://playstation.about.com/od/ps3/a/PS3LinuxServer.htm ?
?? ??
?
Seems like some pretty hard core advertising.
Jesus christ, if you see a murder in the news, it’s a joke because it’s April 1st???, lol, get over it, go and sell your PS3, if you can’t live with linux on your PS3 no one cares, it runs so slow anyway, if you don’t want that removed disconnect from internet and that’s it
@2083 How about http://playstation.about.com/od/ps3/a/5ReasonsPS3.htm #4 is a good one too.
Yeah its called 3rd party hype and advertising. Its how marketing is done.
Linux was never advertised as a feature and it doesnt have rsx support in the first place, you people gotta be kidding me.
Just because the GUI is slow doesn’t mean the boxes are not useful. Sure it might not have been good for a Desktop. I didn’t realize that using as a desktop was a Requirement of using the “Other OS” feature.
“Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue the support for previously sold models that have the “Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will not be disabled in future firmware releases.”
– Sony’s Geoff Levand (I hope the guy still has a job by the way)
“One of the most powerful things about the PS3 is the “Install Other OS” option.”
– Sony’s Phil Harrison
@2082 hacker used linux for hacking ps3 thats y it is being removed this happened a month or so ago.The reason for fanboys and trolls to create a psn account is to post on this blog simple as that it doesnt make sense to me but that is the case.The weak spot was linux 360 and wii were hacked early and piracy is rampant linux finally gave hackers the foot in the door.
@2083 It would be nice if I was a sony employee in reality however I support a family of four off of my payroll.My wife lost her job over a year ago when the company went under.In an earlier post I posted that I bought the original 60 gig resistance and a 2 year warranty which was about 800.00$I lost that console in a housefire and since bought a 40 gb and 80 gb mgs4 model that i still own.
What a pointless update. Those who are trying to “hack” the ps3 software/hardware most likely aren’t online/connected to PSN. They’re going to be offline and likely will be on the earliest accessible firmware software available to them. You’re just punishing the innocent.
Then again I have a slim, so this doesn’t really affect me. I’m just waiting for the PS2 to be 100% dead so you can bring back emulation… but the hackers will probably beat you to that anyway;].
bang bang bang, I’m here to sound off again. I’m not letting this go, this isn’t something like when you dropped PSN store icons everywhere and added the ticker. I got over that. This, I will not, I will stop defending you, I will stop buying your products, I will not update, and I won’t pirate, but if the hacking adds more functionality, and I already can’t get onto my PSN account, then perhaps that will be how I get my moneys worth out of this. There is good news though Sony. Although my confidence is shot because of this, I will give you the points if you come out and say “Hey, you know what, we listened to you guys, we messed up, we are sorry, and we’re not going to do that.” That would get my confidence back up closer to where it was just two days ago. You guys start to look better in the media, and its straight back to screwing customers. I won’t make a difference alone, but all the people I tell, and all the people everyone here tells, that might have an impact on your revenue. I beg you to reconsider. Listen Sony, and be better than this please, please.
I can’t believe the amount of people who think this is an April fools day joke.
yes, you are all fools.
everyone should be defending this. *As one*.
//Nobody should be defending this. *No one*. Sony is removing a feature that it continues to advertise and that *we all paid for*, even if we don’t use it. The cost of the development time that went into the Open Platform is built into the price of the system.\\
I will make the choice
//The cost of the development time that went into the Open Platform is built into the price of the system.\\
you want say like cost of prototypes and etc. For you to know sony was selling the system with undercharge price.
//I’m about done with Sony game systems if this really goes through. Not because there’s some other game system out there that runs Linux, but because I haven’t heard of MS or Nintendo intentionally crippling your console after you buy it.\\
done with sony because of they removing a unnecessary feature.lol
I heard of RROD.
This looks like advertisment to me:
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
Copied it before they pull it off the net:
“There is more to the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system than you may have assumed. 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™ (Cell/B.E.).”
April 1, 2010 is on a Thursday that is when we get are weekly psn updates and firmware updates the people that say “oh lol it’s only a joke haha” doesn’t know SONY very well!
@2086 None of those things are ever going to be removed so your question is purely rhetorical/watif none of that is going to happen just like these mindless fools saying what if they remove bc or bluray playback its stupid
MassaBR 2090, thanks for the post! Shows what a liar Sony is AFTER they got hold of your hard earned $400-$600.
Well, I guess I won’t be spending any more money on psn. Not like you guys ever release anything good anyways. Way to isolate part of your fanbase Sony. Might as well change your name to SMicrosoftny.
Seems like we have a lot of sad confused people here.
Did all of you not know that the PS3 is basically a giant block of DRM and that you are only leasing it?
Anyways, the upside of all this is that Sony MIGHT get off their damn high horse and start delivering games, content, and other stuff that we’ve been asking for for 3+ years now.
Holding back features and content so you’ll “have stuff to sell us later” is absolute goblin tactics and pathetic.
All these kinds of practices show is that Sony can’t get good sales but just delivering solid hardware and kickass games anymore.
If this goes through without some kind of really nice compensation or upgrade in patch 3.21, I’m switching back to PC only gaming for the remainder of my life.
WTF, A new upgrade which just disables features, and its not compulsory to upgrade you just have to stop playing multiplayer and use any other online features, good job sony.
1999
“Dont blame Sony the fault lies with hackers and the people that support them by using pirated software.”
As has been pointed out prior, the exploit believed to be the cause for this is fairly intensive to take advantage of, both software and hardware tinkering, so the practical threat from hackers is minimal to non-existant. Like hackers or not, they are merely an excuse for this forced downgrade, not a legitimate reason.
“Ive never used it and never would have.”
You don’t use it, good for you. Why does it bother, or even surprise, you (or anyone defending this downgrade) that those who do use it might be upset about losing it.
“Also to my knowledge it has never been advertised on the box or anywhere else for that matter.”
Not sure about on the box (others have claimed so earlier in thread but mine is buried, so can’t verify), but it was publicized as a feature online in all the pre-release hype. I don’t know if anyone bought it solely for that feature, but certainly it did factor into the decisions of many who bought it.