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)
Sony has every right to protect their property but not at the cost of the consumer!
4)i need to keep repeating this. the terms of service wording is very important because it is the one thing that makes it illegal. while it does clearly state that they may remove functionality with a new update at no point does it say they can limit the features of ur hardware should u choose not to update. this is the key. since they are not given permission to limit ur ability to play onine or connect to the internet in anyway this update is illegal because it clearly state if u do not update you wont have internet connectivity. THIS IS THE KEY POINT. By limiting any function of ur ps3 without ur consent should not choose to update they are breaking the law. It is advertised with psn connectivity. By them accepting ur money and allowing u to accept the tos they are in essence agreeing to give u acccess to the psn unhindered. Limiting ur ability to connect based on you NOT updating ur firmware is not mentioned or advertised anywhere on the box or in the terms of service or eula. This could render this and actually nearly any update illegal.
5)i need to keep repeating this. the terms of service wording is very important because it is the one thing that makes it illegal. while it does clearly state that they may remove functionality with a new update at no point does it say they can limit the features of ur hardware should u choose not to update. this is the key. since they are not given permission to limit ur ability to play onine or connect to the internet in anyway this update is illegal because it clearly state if u do not update you wont have internet connectivity. THIS IS THE KEY POINT. By limiting any function of ur ps3 without ur consent should you choose not to update they are breaking the law. It is advertised with psn connectivity. By them accepting ur money and allowing u to accept the tos they are in essence agreeing to give u acccess to the psn unhindered. Limiting ur ability to connect based on you NOT updating ur firmware is not mentioned or advertised anywhere on the box or in the terms of service or eula. This could render this and actually nearly any update illegal.
I agree with you but I think you can stop posting that now.
6)i need to keep repeating this. the terms of service wording is very important because it is the one thing that makes it illegal. while it does clearly state that they may remove functionality with a new update at no point does it say they can limit the features of ur hardware should u choose not to update. this is the key. since they are not given permission to limit ur ability to play online or connect to the internet in anyway this update is illegal because it clearly states if u do not update you wont have internet connectivity. THIS IS THE KEY POINT. By limiting any function of ur ps3 without ur consent should you choose not to update they are breaking the law. It is advertised with psn connectivity. By them accepting ur money and allowing u to accept the tos they are in essence agreeing to give u acccess to the psn unhindered. Limiting ur ability to connect based on you NOT updating ur firmware is not mentioned or advertised anywhere on the box or in the terms of service or eula. This could render this and actually nearly any update illegal.
I dedicate this song to the Other/OS feature…
Na na na na, na na na na
Hey hey hey, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na
Hey hey hey, goodbye
Not Happy… Linux or MAG?
Just because streaming is via dnla doesn’t mean it’s secure and can’t be used to load an exploit into the ps3 by some form of attack.
– Security excuse
Just because there’s DRM supported in the protocol doesn’t mean it stops anyone from playing pirated media.
– Security excuse
–
Really it’s not that hard to imagine – if they feel free and safe removing a feature that was on the marketing material – then why not another?
Any port or protocol that allows interaction with the device provides an attack vector to break into it.
Never say never, if one of the best vetted lumps of code on earth (OpenSSH) can be hacked for remote access then any code can.
Hey @roajin how’d you get that response from Sony, they tend to ignore people outside the US, I’m tempted to call the American phone number
A lot of people suggest af legal strategy based on bait-and-switch. While IANAL I have concerns this won’t fly. If your system is under warranty it is in my opinion much better to go with a classic “defective product” claim. You stand the optimum case if you bought one of the later fat models where the OtherOS feature was described in the manual and available with the firmware provided when you bought it. But I still encourage all PS3 owners affected — no mater when they bought — to pursue the case under whatever legal theories might relevant.
360 it is.
Bwahahaha while you whiners are still here whining about your so called imaginative “rights”, I’ll be playing new games and laughing at you wieners.
DOWN WITH LINUX, LONG LIVE SONY’S OPERATING SYSTEM.
SONY’S RIGHTS > YOURS
ME > YOU
AMERICA > ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
well well… now there is an article on PC WORLD… NICE MOVE SONY LMAO http://www.pcworld
.com/article/192731/sony_zaps_playstation_3_install_other_os_feature.html
Bah last post didn’t work cuz of the URL.
well well… now there is an article on PC WORLD… NICE MOVE SONY LMAO
LINK:
www. pcworld .com/article/192731/sony_zaps_playstation_3_install_other_os_feature.html
I use Linux on my PS3 and Games from PSN.
I sent a perturbed email to the Customer Service address listed, and this was the reply:
“Thank you for writing us regarding the upcoming firmware update for PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment systems.
We know this may be frustrating for you, but to better assist you here is some information to help understand reasons for the update.
On April 1, 2010, Sony Computer Entertainment is anticipated to release PS3 system software version 3.21. This version of the PS3 system software 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.
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.
For additional questions feel free to email back.”
That wasn’t helpful…
It is a matter of keeping things fair also. If it doesnt work on the slim models, the inferior fat ones shouldnt have it on theirs. Go Slim or go home.
Also dont give me that bs line about the ps2 BC. I have my PS2 hooked up on the same time, its just a matter of pressing one button on my remote to change to it. Crisis averted. SLIM PS3 250GIG > CRAPPY PS3’S THAT ARE FAT…MUCH LIKE THEIR OWNERS
You cannot bury this post by taking it off the main page!!!
there are articles about this ALL OVER the net now from all kinds of tech sites :)
I’m so glad you’re back Asspect :)
2881
yep no reply from sony here and no reply on their forums either even though there are three to four pages of seperate postings all related to this issue. this just goes to show you that sony doesn’t care about it’s consumers. as I have stated sony is prob the most anti-consumer company on the market.
@AspectOfLight
Do you realize that the number of comments of this thread is close to 3000 and that the more comments it has the more buzz it will cause? If you are a sony supporter you do better if you just shut up.
Keep the comments comming!
“It Only Does Anything?” Damn, i really hope this is an Aprils Fools, if not I’d suggest adding some new features, or at least one.
My last reply to Sony.
OK, now I”m really confused. Your advertisement came with this OS function as well as free on-line functionality for gaming. If I choose not to upgrade during the update I am now loosing another function of the PS3. (On-line gaming) Not to mention the other numerous benefits that will be taken away. I”m sorry but you made a promise to a multitude of consumers to provide a system that has an additional OS function. I would have never thought that a great company like Sony would try to use their “Terms of Service and User Agreement” to go back on their word to us that loyally support the gaming system. I just don’t agree to you limiting any function of the system that I purchased.
Please remember that I purchased this system due to the comment by Geoff that the OS would be kept. Please consider not doing this upgrade.
Thank you for your time,
@runner50783
You do realize that there could be 30k comments here, it will change nothing. Look at all those stupid online petitions that reach in excess of 100k, nothing is ever changed with them.
How does it prove they do not care? They don’t need to say anything else that hasn’t already been said. If anyone says anything, people will twist it into something they didn’t mean. Silence is golden in this kind of scenario.
All jokes and tormenting aside…you can debate it all you want but you can’t do anything about it. If it is a legal issue, well ok then take it to court. I don’t think anything will come of it and in that scenario you will have proven that you don’t care about Sony nor were you ever a fan…but were just interested in getting money.
Complaining about it in a blog is not going to get your way, I think all of you are all talk and no action. You’ll suck it up, and be unhappy about it…but you won’t do anything. You might claim to do something, but lets not kid ourselves…you won’t actually do anything.
Please don’t feed the trolls.
You are right no petition or share comments are likely to change what is going to happen. But it doesn’t harm me for them to try. So give it your best.
@AspectOfLight –
I know your trolling, but just how is the slim the best model?
For those of you who are ambivalent or are for the removal of this feature, let me ask you this. Where do you think the next crop of PS3 game developers is going to come from? How do you think anyone learns how to program the Cell processor? They install Linux on their x-hundred-dollar PS3 and they install the Cell SDK. You can’t do this work on a regular PC. Do you think aspiring game developers have $10,000 lying around to buy a Cell-based server from IBM? Because that’s your only other option to get your hands on one of these processors. I was learning the Cell, hoping one day to at least consider going to work for a game development shop. With other game systems, you don’t necessarily need the system itself to learn how to program it. The processors are not terribly different (if at all) from most desktop processors. For the most part, you learn how to program an XBox on a regular Windows machine using DirectX. You don’t need to learn a new processor architecture. The Cell is a radically different processor design, and unless you actually get your hands on one, you’re not going to learn it.
Slim owners, don’t gloat and think we’re in the clear! If they do indeed get everyone on the same firmware, the next feature removal affects ALL users.
Yeah this thing has almost 3k comments, like that matters. Its like 3k comments from less then 100 different people. You could make a petition, get 500k signatures on it arguing about this and mail it to the head of Sony and he will wipe his butt with it…trust me, comment #’s do not matter.
Q. Say you don’t install this update but some old games have version updates, without the firmware upgrade can you still update the already owned games that used to work fine but won’t work without the updates?
Q. Also if you don’t upgrade it because of a feature being removed, you won’t be able to play some of the future games that may require future firmware updates. Doesn’t that fall into category where PS3 offered a console to play the game but now you can’t because you don’t upgrade? Making it a legal issue?
meh gotta get back to work…
@TD- it’s skinnier, like him. Not fat like those of us who own them LMAO
Features that barely anyone uses do not = good console. Older models with 4 usb slots, flash drives, bc utility…thats all good but it comes at the cost of higher failure rate. Have fun with your ps3 when its out of warranty and dies because the thermal paste came loose.
So they say the update is “optional” but…
If you ever need it serviced, they will send it back with new firmware and you will not be able to use linux. (read their faq)
Unbelievable. What a bunch of dishonest a-holes.
AspectOfLight is so Bitter. I love it LOL
really why on april 1st?
thats like a really bad joke.
@2917 CORRUPT2711:
I think he just figures if he bends over for Sony long enough, he’ll eventually get a reach-around.
hoping for april fools. why would anyone release something like this on april 1.?
This is sad. The fact that one hacker (who hacked the hardware first) is causing this much pressure to delete an advertised feature (which is an FTC no no) is rotten tomatoes.
How am I bitter? I am in favor of this change. Actually I am not really in favor, I just do not care. I don’t use the Other/OS because I think it is stupid. It is inviting people to pirate and use emulators so I am in favor of increased security. It’s not like I am losing the argument here, I mean Sony is removing it so the bitter losers are the ones that are complaining about it.
The greatest part of all of this? There are people right now using Linux that are not aware of the change, they will add the firmware and then notice their Linux doesn’t work. Oh how I would love to see the look on their face. Oh, I just [DELETED].
Thanks For Telling Us Ahead Of Time!
it only does firmware downgrades.
I guess my next console won’t be of the sony variety.
The PS3 platafom never will be the same.
Im so disappointed with Sony.
HAHAHA YAY SONY…RAH RAH RAH YAYYYYYYYYYYNESS TO THE MAX TO THE TENTH POWER YAYYYYYYY FOR STOPPING EMULATION PIRATES. YAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYAAYAYAYAY WOOTZILLA!
@AspectOfLight
Lol. I could imagine your fun if I was on your side of the argument.
I can’t wait to laugh at all the inferior Slim losers when the 2001 model ships with better hardware.
You are jaded if you don’t think that 3 years from now the Slim will have a high failure rate like the launch models. The 65nm GPU isn’t going to save the system from Sony’s total failure of mediocre electronics design.
aspect don’t you have a bridge you need to be under?
@AspectOfLight
Dude, you probably don’t understand that OtherOS is the cheapest way to get your hand on a Cell platform!
there is no reasoning with him. All he thinks we use linux for is pirating and hacking
As I said, most of you don’t even use linux…you are just complaining for the sake of complaining.