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)
“Kutaragi’s comments echo a recent Phil Harrison interview in which he commented: “We believe that the PS3 will be the place where our users play games, watch films, browse the Web, and use other computer functions. The PlayStation 3 is a computer. We do not need the PC.” The combined executive comments appear to signify a change in marketing tactics for the company, who may have always had this scenario in mind, but are pushing it much more strongly following a somewhat mixed E3 showing from a PR perspective. “
How is using my PS3 to do calculations not legal? Seriously, I’m trying very hard to not just laugh in your face, even if everything I’ve seen you say just screams troll.
“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.”
As if there were any question as to whether or not you were a closed-minded fool, you give yet another affirmative.
Seems like no matter what they update about in this blog you trolls always surface and cry.
350 out of 10 hackers are doing something illegal. given these very real statistics. ide say good job in slowing them down sony.
Visionary and fourth-dimension traveler (in addition to Sony boss) Ken Kutaragi spoke with PC Watch and Next Generation lovingly translated his words.
Kutaragi maintains that the PS3 is more than just a game console — it’s polarizing pricepoint has caused ripples in the game industry and consumer sector — “Speaking about the PS3, we never said we will release a game console,” he said. “It is radically different from the previous PlayStation. It is clearly a computer. Indeed, with a game console, you need to take out any unnecessary elements inside the console in order to decrease its cost. … This will of course apply to the PS3 as well.”
Well, over 3000 comments without Sony saying a thing. But of those 3,000 comments only 100 people would ACTULLY use the other OS feature.
@3066
Nice assumption on thinking I was actually counting. Should your brain work correctly, you’d start noticing names if you actually take time to read posts here.
Try again.
actually, emulation isn’t illegal if you own the game. and some people like using it as a computer. it may not be the best, but linux offers alot of things, Aspect.
Wow, I come back after several hours and ArsewipeOfLight is still trolling. Dude, go to bed, are sony paying you to spout drivel?
So you really expect me to believe you guys went to a store and bought a PS3 to act as a computer? [DELETED]. You bought it for HD gaming, thats why everyone bought one. Maybe some bought it as a blu-ray player….guess what…BOTH STILL WORK. OMGZ LOLZ OWNED.
3081- It’s not trolling if you’re voicing concerns you actually have. I complain because they’re taking away one of the main reasons I own my PS3.
Nobody paid $500 for JUST a game machine. It isn’t the best computer, but it was advertised as one, sold as one, and is used as one.
Great, so much for “it does everything.” It now does much less than it did when I first bought it, how is that a good thing? Sony, please describe for us exactly what “security concerns” disabling the Linux partition is supposed to address. This is clearly just a smokescreen.
Why are your software engineers hard at work removing valuable features from your system, when there is still so much work to be done to catch up with your competition (especially regarding online features and XMB support)? This is one area that, by embracing the homebrew community, Sony seemed to have a clear advantage over Microsoft. Now you’ve put yourselves even further behind on the feature list. Congratulations. Your shareholders will be so proud.
@ Amdusias, lets see you use it as one on April 2nd lmao
Let’s vote!
https://share.blog.us.playstation.com/ideas/2010/03/29/dont-remove-ability-of-other-os-in-future-update/
Zero_666
in a world of fantasy and dreams where the streets are paved in gold and everyone is happy and has everything they ever wanted, i would agree with you. but let’s try and be smart. yes Emulation is legal. BUT its also extremely easy and is illegal if you don’t own the games. with that being said a cd can be self booted onto the dreamcast with every single nes game ever made, and some that are fan mods. its under 700 megabytes and it plays in a unmodded dreamcast. some of those games are worth over 50k a pop, but im sure if you use a emulator you have them.
so maybe 2-5% of emulation is done legally but lets not be dumb and say its legal blah blah blah.
TwoIncheS: What? I think you may need to attend a math class… Just so we are clear, are you saying that out of every hacker in a population there are more hackers that pirate then there are hackers as a whole?
I don’t believe your statistic, because your math is FALSE.
“So you really expect me to believe you guys went to a store and bought a PS3 to act as a computer? [DELETED][DELETED]. You bought it for HD gaming, thats why everyone bought one. Maybe some bought it as a blu-ray player….guess what…BOTH STILL WORK. OMGZ LOLZ OWNED.”
The Military disagrees.
http://nexus404.com/Blog/2009/11/25/us-military-ps3-based-supercomputer-in-the-works-us-military-to-order-2000-ps3-consoles-for-usaf-research-lab-336-ps3-cluster-already-operational/
http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213076/u-s-military-building-ps3-supercomputer/
http://arstechnica.com/security/news/2009/11/sony-still-subsidizing-us-supercomputer-efforts.ars
Also, stuff your blubbering pie hole with some Megabox: http://kotaku.com/346073/ps3-megabox-homebrew-project-is-linux-for-commitment+phobes
Well I will, because I won’t take the update.
That thing is my DVR. I am not going to pay my cable company $50 A month so I can play a future game…which I won’t buy now anyway. LMAO.
@AspectOfLight
They are allowed to change any feature without notice, great that includes PS3 games. Show me where in the TOS and EULA that guarantees me the right to play games on my PS3.
And I’m aware you are trolling.
What of those thousands that purchased a PS3 to watch movies? Remember the Sony Fanboys who were touting it as the best BD player ever?
Seriously I get it, your having fun. You are making up things to get people up in arms, it’s working.
@amdusias 50 a month? Your cable company is robbing people blind if thats the case. I pay 5.95 a month for my box and the option to dvr.
@ twindad, I am not. I am defending Sony because I feel they are in the right here. Yeah I add a few snarky things for added effect but my messege is pure.
If this update stops you from playing PS3 games in any fashion or watching movies…i could understand your plight. Its stopping people who refuse to update, well thats their loss…they have the choice to update.
They don’t rip me off. :)
Basically, Sony has alienated millions of their customers because of one silly hacker kid.
By going ahead with this update, they have effectively labeled each and every one of us thieves and pirates… ignoring the fact the vast majority of people use their PS3 for genuine reasons.
True that a lot of people don’t use this feature. It’s principle. Those people who think this is no big deal are the ones that have no self respect and just bend over on command for large companies like Sony.
Well, I don’t know if there are any current legal proceedings happening over this loss of functionality, but I really suggest at least creating and submitting a complaint with the Better Business Bureau as Sony is not going to respond to anything on this blog.
Tell me this is a joke…
WHAT? what is Sony afraid of? This is the dumbest update I’ve seen so far by a serious company. This better be a joke.
@AspectOfLight
1) you’re stupid, if everyone is thinking that then why are there so many people here saying otherwise?
2) you aren’t the center of the universe. get over it.
@TwolincheS
I never said everyone would do so, but he’s implying all emulation is illegal. I corrected him. I never said emulation is totally legal, i said if you OWN it, then it is technically legal.
prediction:
if this turns out to be a aprils fools joke…the same people here will then say they are sueing Sony because this joke made them go out and sell their ps3.
Complainers just like to complain.
@ zero there are not alot of people saying it. theres like 10 people all spewing that same filth over and over again to make it seem like its a majority.
@AspectofLight (3077)
“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.”
@AspectofLight (3088)
“So you really expect me to believe you guys went to a store and bought a PS3 to act as a computer? [DELETED]. You bought it for HD gaming, thats why everyone bought one. Maybe some bought it as a blu-ray player….guess what…BOTH STILL WORK. OMGZ LOLZ OWNED.”
So everyone bought it for gaming? Or is it movies? So which is it? you seem to know with 1000% certainty that it was games, but yet you changed your mind. Did you have a change of heart and remove a feature?
Troll confirmed.
Calm down tubby. Hit that inhaler. You are getting all worked up.
@AspectOfLight
Do you know the difference between RISC and CISC?
Do you know about parallel computing?
Have you actually read about the uses for OtherOS?
Because it seems you think the hardware inside a PS3 is just your standard PC stuff. Also, supercomputing projects involving the PS3 aren’t illegal.
Disclosure: I play games with my PS3. I also develop stuff for the CellBE, which I’m unable to get because no PC has this hardware, and the server blades that use Cell are only sold through server distribution channels. That means I have to be at least a SMB to get one :(
“Basically, Sony has alienated millions of their customers because of one silly hacker kid”
I lol’d
Its funny that they say “security concerns” yet when i called the 1800 number listed above and talked to a manager they told me it was due to the contract ending with the company that is proving YDL… its still low for Sony to do this. i do use my ps3 for two things, games and second computer for programming. i see no point in keeping it if i cant use it for the reasons i bought it for. It’s probably going to be listed on ebay as soon as they release the update and I will just get another computer. We should not loose something that was advertised and paid for. People saying most every one does not use it, well just because you don’t doesn’t mean every one else doesn’t. Even if you don’t use it you paid for it and to me I like to keep what I paid for. If you got a new cell phone that had a really good camera but they updated it where you could not use the camera. You were using it as a digital camera but the company said it’s not a digital camera and due to security concerns they took it out. Wouldn’t you be pissed? Same thing here we bought a device that said it could do what it does and now they are taking away from what it can do! Its really low of sony!
Ok it’s 2010 and there isn’t a block/hide users post option?
Cause I’m really sick of seeing AspectOfIgnorance post some new found google drivel
We get it. You don’t mind. Cool. May you have the best of luck with the download.
basically it just comes down to the mediocre communication policy, and possible lack of interest, on SONY’s part, in sufficiently updating the PS3.
@AspectofLight
Yep. Major troll. I’m laughing, you got me. I’m dieing here trying to contain it.
““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.”
“Most bought it for games, others bought it for bluray movies.”
You removed a feature my friend. I need to see the EULA that I agreed to. That is a change of terms and I don’t certainly remember agreeing to a change in your argument stance.
PS. Thanks for the well wishes.
WHY does that one poster keep wishing death on people and get away with it??? If you’re banning people, ban someone like that!
Vote people vote!!!
https://share.blog.us.playstation.com/ideas/2010/03/29/dont-remove-ability-of-other-os-in-future-update/comment-page-2/#comments
why didn’t you buy a computer if you wanted linux…THIS BAD?
Because “a computer” does not have Cell processor.
what do you want to do with the cell processor?
@ TwoInch
From a prior post of mine:
I love how the “supporters” of this know exactly how many people used this feature, like they’ve been monitoring everyone’s usage spouting things like “00000.1% even knew about this feature or even used it” Well I have a statistic for you, 90% of statistics are made up on the spot.
Also the kiddies on here saying ” Well if you want to run Linux use your PC” Show me how to CBE Dev on a PC.
But why do I even bother asking,already I bet a hundred trolls are on Google looking up CBE, then to come back spouting like they know it all when they probably couldn’t program their way out of a lunchable. . .
So if you’re coming to the game late read whats already been said.
Let the flaming commence. . .
Press caps lock and let the fury fly!
@TwoIncheS
Because we wanted Linux in CELL BE not in X86, X64…
But all of this is about ethics, not the OtherOS itself.
@AspectOfLife
and your’e probably the only one saying that its a useless feature. thats why NCSU uses a cluster of ps3s with linux installed as a basic super computer, right? you’re one of the only people on this whole thing i’ve seen so far spouting [DELETED] out like that, everyone else is arguing with you because you’re so uneducated.
yea i’ll admit i’m getting angry. I’m angry because some idiotic kid who knows nothing about hardware or software development, business, marketing, LAW, etc is coming on here saying its useless, without saying WHY or HOW. You’re a troll. go home, cry, do whatever. you get online, try to act tough and what not because you hide behind a computer screen. i honestly think you’re just some stupid kid, and your argument proves my point. you haven’t given any real evidence towards your claims, yet you act as if your opinion is fact. stop being a [DELETED], kid. you’ll find out really soon that life won’t treat you so nicely.
Dear Sony enegineers,
I never used internet browser in my ps3, could you please remove it next update? I think it has real security reasons…
Thanks for your attention Sony.
@ aspect no they don’t dont have a choice they lose functionality either way. on one hand you lose the advertised os function in the other the ability to play any future titles online or off. sony just giving them the choice of what limb to cut.
intrin guy I was here early on saying GO Sony. so I havnt missed much.
its just funny to me that a GAME console still lets you PLAY GAMES and people are mad.