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 awesome!
oops. I mentioned bait and switch. Aspect is gonna have a cow!
Not expecting much from the BBB:
BBB Rating for Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.
Based on BBB files, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. has a BBB Rating of F on a scale from A+ to F.
Reasons for this rating include:
* Failure to respond to 22 complaints filed against business.
* 60 complaints filed against business that were not resolved.
we were past the 3000 mark a long time ago but some posts keep getting removed, almost all of mine were removed and ALL of my friends were removed and he was banned. we only speaking the truth.
heh, it’s funny how the “I HEART SONY” people are so quick to recite the ToS for us.
12. by reading the above lines of text you agree that I can go into your house and do whatever I want there.
there, you agreed, that means I can go into your houses and do whatever I please, like assaulting the fridge muahahahah…
anyway you get my point.
Yeah time and again “Bait and Switch” functionality wins over EULA.
Anyone can school themselves up on EULA enforcability.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_license_agreement
They don’t protect Sony from fraud charges. They are considered a weak contract because they are presented post-sale.
As long as your PS3 still plays games with the latest official firmware, there is no consumer rights violation. Try again Failverine.
I am going to [DELETED][DELETED] while the firmware installs tomorrow. It will be good.
@ Onarum
As long as you click agree, that could very much happen. Most of you do not read the EULA or TOS, but it is ironclad and concrete.
for the last time they are removing an advertised feature whether you like it or not
@3017 LisaX4156:
Oh Lisa, EULAs are adhesion contracts–meaning that the purchaser has no bargaining power in the terms. Moreover, they tend to be highly suspect, if not unconscionable on their face. Not to mention, they are less persuasive when presented in “click-through” form.
Additionally, did you agree to the EULA when you bought a PS3 at point of sale? No you didn’t. It’s merely Sony trying to stake its position after the fact. But really it is irrelevant. Users who never use the PSN (and thus never see the EULA) still cannot use both the ‘Other OS’ feature and play future games and Blu-rays that will require firmware updates. As such, those users will be unable to use bargained-for features of their purchased product. That is the fraud.
And has been said before, consumer protection laws trump a boilerplate EULA any day of the week.
Q-1: Does the console that was designed as a VIDEO GAME CONSOLE still play games?
A: yes
Q-2: Am I still able to play said games on-line?
A: yes
well I’m sold, carry on update!
Wikipeodia has a great article on the enforcability of EULA.
In short, when functionality is removed, EULA violates most state laws, when it conflicts with statements that were intended to induce sale, such as listing a feature on the packaging then later removing it.
Alright, AspectofLight, I’ll bite. In 48 hours, unless I update my PS3 and remove a feature that was something they advertised as a feature of the PS3, I will not be able to play any new games that require 3.21 or higher. Regardless of the fact I can’t play them online.
Hence, in the next 30 days, I will have a standing argument in a court of law. I refuse to update my PS3 because they removed a feature I use and I cannot buy and play any new games because the games require I update to play, removing the feature I’m refusing to update for.
You guys all talk like you are lawyers, but I bet a lot of these comments are made up legal facts…
hey bud. glad you’re back. Still nobody cares what you do with YOUR PS3. It’s a computer, it’s a blu-ray player, a media player and a gaming machine. It was DESIGNED to do all of that.
lmfao @ someone using wikipedia as a reliable source. omg hahahahahahaahahahah oh man. You guys are thick.
This will not hold up in a court of law, I can promise you that. Ask any lawyer.
PS2 had Linux
PS3 did have Linux
PS4 Windows?
Just keepin’ it simple for ya big guy.
looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool wikipedia lmfao
@3044 — it will NEVER happen…
@3040
are you serious? the psp uses that same system and no one is has taken them to court. you cant play games that require a update without updating.
No Court has ruled on the validity of EULAs generally. I defy you to Google me wrong.
I’m sure the Sony lawyers told them it was all legal, but they know they are going to get sued. All of that was part of their screw the customer equation.
Some lawyer somewhere would be happy to sue Sony over this. And, I would be happy to be a plaintiff in the lawsuit. We will see what happens. One thing is certain. They have lost my money (thousands of dollars) and a lot of people that I know.
over 3000 comments and not a single official sony reply? 0.o
I remember the interviews pointing out that Other OS is something that makes ps3 stand out. They marketed it as a computer, I bought it as a computer. It is illegal for them to take that away. It has to be a joke.
For new people here is a summary of what is happening:
A handful of people have been discussing for two days that they think this is illegal. It is not. They pretend to use this feature and pretend that it is the reason they bought one simply because they like controvesary and want to feel important.
Games will still work, so will movies and everything else. Just update and use the PS3 as it was meant to be used.
Many lawyers play video games too :)
If people bought this as a computer, then I feel sorry for them for making such a poor choice.
Thats like wanting to buy a gaming computer and buying a E machines over Alienware.
I cant believe you guys are still fighting over this! yeah it could be a joke im hoping its a joke! but not because of the “Other OS” thing being cut out im just hoping they actually ADD something for real LOLZ
Call me a blind optimist, or that I just have faith in Sony. But this has to be an April’s Fools joke, wouldn’t it be great that instead of taking away Linux we get an update that adds Cross Game Voice Chat finally? Now excuse me while I go back up my PS3 data just in case anyway lol :P
@3048 Name one feature listed on the box of a PSP that has been removed by a PSP firmware update. :)
I can’t believe people are getting upset over this. Playstation 3 is a gaming system, not a computer. Thats it, I am going to sue Nintendo because my DS won’t do my dishes for me!
You CANNOT market the PS3 as having this capability and then revoke it out from under the feet of your loyal customers.
This is UNACCEPTABLE.
No notice was given, no compensation. This is SONY we’re talking about here, not MICROSOFT.
You guys are better than this. You can’t screw your customers this way by disabling OtherOS support.
IF you do this, you MUST send everyone a BRAND NEW $60 game in the mail. Take away a feature you sold your consoles with by placating your customers with a “replacement.”
Otherwise, my brand loyalty may not be so loyal after such a betrayal.
Is it true that they claimed PS3 was a computer to get around taxes in the EU? If so, they may indeed have some problems now that they’re taking away OS functionality.
Now we can see who the no lifers are that’s been here all day posting, and there are 4 of you so far.
I think AspectOfLight is the only one making sense here :P
OMG SONY IS THE DEVIL THERE MAKING THE SYSTEM UNPLAYABLE IM GOING TO SUE AND TAKE THESE JERKS TO COUrt and, wait what?…OOooOoOo so there just taking out a program that could possibly in the future lead to crazy hacks and burnable games, and thats all?…i can still play games right?..oOo ok then nevermind this was a missunderstanding. good update sony
Yeah we get it…it was a listed feature. But those are subject to change, as stated in the contract you agreed to. I emailed an old college friend who works for a firm that handles this sort of thing. As long as they had the tos and eula that we all agreed to…there is nothing you can do unless they change something that makes games stop working and no available fix. This is not the case, as games will still work. ToS and EULA wouldn’t hold up in court if this firmware broke your PS3 completely or made it not work at all. Too bad thats not the case.
@3062 ProjectInfiniti
Who is more lifeless I wonder? The people who post or the people who sit and count the former’s posts?
…. suffice to say, SONY probably does not care either way.. how lame.
Odd that Aspect derides Wikipedia, but yet he expects us to accept the blanket authority of some, quite possibly imaginary, “old college friend.”
Aspect, with your logic the ps3 shouldn’t play movies then. or play music, or have the ability to view photos. the ps3 shouldn’t have a hdd. the ps3 shouldn’t have internet capability.
I am just curious, why is it so important to have this? What do you guys do with your PS3’s that need this? Show me a viable excuse and I will support you.
Using it as a computer? No, not valid. It makes a terrible computer. Plus even with the default Sony settings, you can still use it to browse.
Emulation? Illegal and unjustified.
Play games? Can’t do this with the default setting? Why not?
Using it as a super computer? Not legal.
I love the asshat that says ToS are absolute and concrete. lol.
“In remarks made to Japanese website Impress Watch, and translated by consumer website Beyond3D, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi has commented in more detail on the concept that the PlayStation 3 is a computer, rather than a game console.”
AspectOfLight: I bet you would be upset if your DS did do dishes and then Nintendo made it so it didn’t, bet you’d have a lot of dirty dishes.
No one has the right to take away something you bought, it’s called theft, if ONE people bought the PS3 for the purpose of both gaming and Linux, it is wrong for Sony to take away the feature. And even if Sony has such a clause in their EULA, A) EULA’s haven’t shown in court to be enforceable, and B) a person makes the purchase prior to agreeing to any EULA, and so is not subject to it’s restrictions.
The ONLY reasons companies use EULAs is scare uneducated people, and ‘look’ as if they are in the right if they get taken to court.
If they take away those Zero, then I could accept some of this asinine complaints. Since it still does those with this firmware, no harm done.
“The Sony CEO gave another example in the interview: “As PS3 is a computer… it also wants to evolve. We’ll want to upgrade the HDD size very soon – if new standards appear on the PC, we will want to support them. We may want the [Blu-ray] drive to [have a writable version upgrade].” He then tempered his comments: “Well, BD may not develop like that, though.” But extensibility is what Sony is stressing that you get for the price of a PS3, nonetheless.”
@Aspect. Yes, we all understand that you are curious. If you don’t care about losing this feature, yet you are still on here posting, you are a very sad person. I feel for your parents, but at the same time hope that their baby gets a very painful cancer.
I’d probably kick myself for being so lazy to allow a gaming system do my dishes ived.
Everyone bought a ps3 to play ps3 games, not any other reason. Don’t try to act like this isn’t the case. As long as it plays games still, its not theft.