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)
It is not legal at all. I think page 46 is where I explained it a bit.
I haven’t used the Other OS option, but I planned to when I upgraded the HD. Can’t do it now. Even if I wasn’t planning to, it’s still outright theft. To prevent piracy, Sony is now stealing from you. It doesn’t matter what feature was taken away or if it’s a gaming system at heart, it’s just not legal. I encourage you to file a complaint. Companies need to stop these practices, and we’re just letting them get away with it each time.
Once again, Sony tech says it’s definitely going live as planned.
seriously, sony sold us a machine that whacks you on the head and pokes you in the eye, now it only whacks you on the head … i want my eye poking machine back !!!
No thanks pompom and greatfoe, I don’t need to buy anything from you fine gents. but if you want to give me your contact information I’ll be sure to pass them on to some spam agency.
I love that people want to sue Sony. In the PS3 Terms of Use..it says that Sony has the right to add/change features that may result in the loss of some functionality. Perhaps that’s why they say “read this and agree to it”.
Can you please buy back my PS3, and the accessories I bought to go with my other os, such as a keyboard and mouse? And please take back all the games I bought while you are at it. How are you going to take something away from me that I paid for? Maybe this was part of the original agreement when I bought the damn thing, I’m gonna go read the legal fine print. Really pissed right now. First Sony product I buy in 17 years and now I’m reminded why I avoid this company.
i knew it, davivman is high
The house concept by SONY :
We remove doors and windows, as thiefs ususaly break into by thoses.
Don’t explain for compensations even if when you buy it, it was advertised it has some.
Good work SONY. Never by your products again !
Hardward, Software, Films, Musics … Boycott all which is labelled ‘SONY’.
If you don’t trust your customers, dont expect them to trust YOU !
While that is technically true, legally it doesn’t actually hold weight. In many cases, advertising, rhetoric, and company policy in action is known to nullify whatever is in a TOS. It’s very common.
Well…
Im very dissapointed by this but I understand Sony for removing this option. I love my Ubuntu on PS3 and it was a very capable “mini-PC” on my living room. It had my internet messaging, VLC media player with a lot of codecs, eMail center, a good browser (firefox) and some apps, including OpenOffice.
But, aso much as I love my old Fat PS3, if I had to choose between Linux or the PS3 to be hacked, I would choose for Sony to protect my PS3.
I had an external HDD to make a bacup and then delete my Linux partition…
But it will be missed.
F.
Just want to post AGAIN to say I hope sony changed their mind after reading all these negative comments.
I had some time to think about my original post and i still HATE SONY FOR THIS DECISION. WORST MOVE THEY EVER MADE AS A COMPANY. EVER. PERIOD. YOU WILL NOT SEE THE END OF THIS.
They could remove the feature of play games from ours ps3. Could that be legal?
Seriously, pompom, what is with all the weed jokes. Are we still in third grade?
“3. SERVICES AND UPDATES
From time to time, SCE may provide updates, upgrades or services to your PS3TM system to ensure it is functioning properly in accordance with SCE guidelines or provide you with new offerings. Some services may be provided automatically without notice when you are online, and others may be available to you through SCE’s online network or authorized channels. Without limitation, services may include the provision of the latest update or download of new release that may include security patches, and new or revised settings and features which may prevent access to pirated games, or use of unauthorized hardware or software in connection with the PS3TM system. Some services may change your current settings, cause a loss of data or content, or cause some loss of functionality.”
People need to read more and whine less.
Oh, and I would also be willing to sell my PS3 back to sony for the original purchase price. It’s pretty much a useless piece of crap now after this since I also have an XBOX..
3. SERVICES AND UPDATES
From time to time, SCE may provide updates, upgrades or services to your PS3TM system to ensure it is functioning properly in accordance with SCE guidelines or provide you with new offerings. Some services may be provided automatically without notice when you are online, and others may be available to you through SCE’s online network or authorized channels. Without limitation, services may include the provision of the latest update or download of new release that may include security patches, and new or revised settings and features which may prevent access to pirated games, or use of unauthorized hardware or software in connection with the PS3TM system. Some services may change your current settings, cause a loss of data or content, or cause some loss of functionality.
@robzilla2000 – Why? does your XBOX run linux??
is there a firmware for psp 1000 to connect with ps3 slim
NO ONE HAS HACKED PIRATED GAMES YET – SO THIS PATCH ISNT BLOCKING ANYTHING. it is providing nothing good and no update. it is simply removing something that people had to pay A LOT extra for when they bought discontinued models on ebay for more than they originally cost when they were new.
Gren, read up a few posts yourself. That TOS doesn’t matter.
davivman, what did you take? can you hear me? WHAT DID YOU TAKE?
hey Grendolai, most of us can read fine, perhaps you missed the reading available that demonstrates a EULA that contradicts law is useless and void – and waving it around just makes you look stupid, but hey, its a free internet, embarass yourself some more
It’s like buying a car with a fancy stereo system and having them tell you that you must disable the stereo or you aren’t allowed to drive the car.
If you choose not to update you can still listen to the stereo, but you won’t be able to drive anywhere or use roads….
I hope you reconsider Sony. I’m sure there will be lawsuits.
@2416 – Patcat
Hey! Maybe that is what SONY’s new “Make believe” campaigne is all about! Pretending you paid for good products!
@davivman
Can’t believe there is people like you in this world. You should defend yours and other peoples rights not the oppressors. I can understand that you don’t give a damn about the feature but lots of us do and sony is taking away something we all pay for. If you don’t care, don’t support it.
If the PS3 has been hacked, that’s Sony’s problem, they should have done things right from the beginning, they could have just sandboxed the feature (a feature that was advertised) and that would solve the problems, there are technological solution for that, not just take away the feature, furthermore, next is coming the online gaming and who knows what else.
The Linux capable PS3’s cost us a lot of money, if we choose it over the 360 was because of the supposed added value it had. It is simply not fair that they will take away the feature from everybody.
What’s with all the PSP piracy astroturfing? Your reasoning fails because the DS is far easier to run copied software than the PSP. Guess which handheld sells more units despite being the inferior machine? Likewise with the wii and 360. There is no warez scene for the PS3, unlike its rivals. Guess which console is still languishing in last place?
All this downgrade is likely to do is enrage the PS3’s more technically inclined owners, and hasten an iso loader. Maybe that’s what Sony wants? It’s been the case for decades that the hardware with the most copied software available outsells alternatives regardless of any technical merits.
There’s nothing of interest on the PS3 radar, I won’t be updating, I won’t be trying demos from the PSN but will be buying multi-platform titles for my 360 instead of for the PS3. If blu-ray titles start requiring an update, I’ll pick up a new player for $100, less than the cost of two games.
The PS3 could have been the center of home entertainment, and destroyed many alternatives from other manufacturers, but Sony cannot see the potential they have on their hands. Do you think netgear and popcorn hour would have anywhere near their success if the PS3 could simply run XMBC?
@Grendolai —–
“@robzilla2000 – Why? does your XBOX run linux??”
NO…. and neither will the ps3 after this update…. so the ps3 is going to be pointless to have.
Does somebody know how to make a Cease and Desist letter?
robzilla, you should be glad that no one has hacked pirated games yet, but with the geohot hack people are closer to it than they were 2 months ago. Once the security breaks, it is broke for good and that hurts everyone. This update is a preventative measure that needed to be taken.
I seriously laugh at all the people angered by this. It’s a games console. If you want to use Linux, (a 3rd rate OS) buy a “computer.” While you are all using the “Other OS”, I’m playing God of War III and other AAA games from Sony and enjoying it. Idiots.
@2433 GreatTeacherDebo:
You are correct. 1) Did anyone agree to the TOS at the point of purchase when they bought their console? No. You handed over your cash for a piece of hardware that contained a certain feature set. That was the contract. The TOS is merely Sony’s desire to assert rights and priveleges after the fact, but to say that the TOS is full-on, legally binding without question is simply not the case. 2) The TOS and EULA are akin to boilerplate or adhesion-type agreements. They are filled with swaths of language that everyone–including courts–recognizes as something that is often not read, not negotiated, even at the enterprise level, and particularly suspect when presented merely in “click-through” form.
As GreatTeacherDebo stated, a company’s actual course of dealing does more to establish its rights and responsibilities than any sort of click-through agreement.
Trolling doesn’t really help, Black. All you’re saying is that you are perfectly fine with someone taking the doors off of your car so long as the car still runs.
believe it or not runner, there are people like me in the world. Not everyone is going to agree with you so get used to it. I’m sick of this liberal BS that makes every corporation some kind of oppressor. They are not. They are just a company doing business and looking out for its customers by scuttling potential pirating.
Regardless if you think the feature is useful, or not – the ethics and principal of this move are what should disturb you. SONY has made it clear they don’t mind disabling ADVERTISED features on a box you ALREADY PAID FOR, OWN, AND USE – if its convenient for them to do so. Nothing can excuse such a corporate philosophy.. its only a matter of time before they take away something you DO care about and that is what should scare you
BTW this won’t stop any hacking, in fact it may just inspire it – but even if it COULD stop hacking, its still the wrong way to do it.. full stop
As soon as my OtherOS is removed from my XMB you can be sure I will let Sony know what I think about this in every way imaginable.
@vanmagi
How does it contradict law? They didn’t physically take any thing from you. You still have your PS3 as it was the day you bought it. If you want to use linux on it you still can. BUT if you want to use THEIR ONLINE system (which requires terms of use agreement and that they provide FOR FREE!) you need to use the most recent software. From a company support side, it’s totally legit to require everyone to be on the same version of software…that’s pretty standard practice.
rofl davi. those posts are gold.
Now this is up to around 2400 posts…. one more day left until we see if Sony goes through with it or not. On top of removing our OtherOS, if this update bricks our PS3s because you guys want to rid this feature, you’d better have PLENTY of backup BC PS3s lined up for us.
Instead of taking **** away from our system, why not add things like:
-that comic viewer that’s on the psp
-skype that’s on the psp too
-better web browser (like seriously, wth!?)
-reorganizing our download history
-redesigning the xmb (members on the forum have come up with MUCH better interfaces)
-more psone games
-a ps2 emulator for those without it
we wait months for the next update and this is what we get. i didn’t come back to ps3 to have crap taken away! hell, besides the games, this is a reason i picked up another OLDER MODEL ps3: to enjoy the linux side and do what others supplied support for!
black_wolf_27 your stupidly lame
I see that the BBC is now covering this story. Keep the heat on, people!
@davivman
I dont really CARE if pirated games get hacked or not….. this ABSOLUTELY does NOT give sony the right to remove a feature.
This is pretty much the same thing as DRM. If someone downloads and plays an illegal game or does drugs or does anything illegal they are breaking the law. If they get caught they will get in trouble. The goal is to catch them – not to PUNISH the people that don’t break the law.
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE for sony to remove this feature because they THINK someone MIGHT hack the system, which is clearly why they are removing it.
If someone finds there is a secret backdoor in a blu-ray movie or game will sony then block access for me to play a game I already bought? Or something else? Sony is just doing this because they CAN… and on an older system they would not have ACCESS to do this. They SHOULD NOT have access to do this.
greatestfoe, I’m glad I can amuse you. :)
I have been an early adopter of all of Sony’s consoles, but this move has caused me to rethink future purchases. Bad move Sony, bad move!
@Grendolai
They block access to a feature that was used to advertise the unit, I suppose you are suggesting that I can avoid the update, and simply be blocked from PSN – and that they can block me from PSN as per the TOS?
That may be true, except for that fact that they also say future games and blueray discs will not be usable unless I update… which is a bit more than saying I can’t use their free network service, its, oh… what’s the word? Extortion?
if you don’t update future games and blu-ray, that need the latest update, will not work either. its not just on-line capabilities they are taking to punish you for not updating
@ 2460 Grendolai:
Sony is effectively making you choose between features. Going forward, if one refuses to update their firmware, the advertised, bargained-for features (gaming, Blu-ray, Other OS) will become mutually exclusive. More games and Blu-ray movies will become unplayable on the current firmware version. Also, if someone cannot log in to PSN, they will be unable to access downloads for content he already purchased (download list in PSN store). So, it’s not even strictly the “online” services that will become unavailable to those who wish to keep their Linux installs functional.
oh indeed you do davi…say, would you like to work for me? how it works is like so: i guarantee you a paycheck, but then i find a security flaw in my billing, so i keep my money <_<
robzilla, its too bad you don’t care about pirating, because you should. Pirating crippled the music industry, and gaming systems like the PSP. If you actually care about good GAMES getting made, you should care about piracy.
Only the communists used to take all the rights one by one. You are not different Sony. Your business is questionable and not modern. Modern companies are accepting the challenge of the hacker community in a different way; not by making honest customers pay the price of the incompetence, but by finding software solutions to outsmart the hackers. Apparently it is a too big task for you. Shame on you! And out of the curiosity: what is the threat of having a free operating system installed on the console. Maybe you could bother to elaborate for your customers.
Wow, Davi IS pretty hilarious.
@ Sponge-worthy you we all did agree to the TOS the first time anyone turn on their ps3 the must agree with the TOS and everytime we do a firmware update we have to agree with the TOS so your wrong and the TOS is subject to change with any firmware released so SONY WINS you FAIL