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)
@TwoIncheS:
1) It’s awesome for encoding my DVDs for storage on the PS3 so I don’t have to use my disks (legal)
2) It’s valuable professionally for me to tinker with programming on the Cell.
Not that I expect you’ll understand…
Ok, guys, calm down! I also have Linux on my PS3, and it sucks. Even my old laptop with PIII 700 mhz and 320 mb ram had a better performance … so what? You need the old PS3 with OtherOS for programming? Fine, keep it and don’t upgrade it. Still want to play games or watch movies? Just look out for another PS3 … it’s not that expensive anymore, and maybe you can buy one from the disappointed guys who sell their PS3 to buy a 360 because M$ is so much better to its customers …
heyy…anybody else thinking this is a con? like a cruel april fools day joke? but then again this would suck if it was real…im gonna stick to my conclusion…its a con!!!(i hope)…
@TwoIncheS
Get me a Power-based PC with a CellBE processor … NOW. If you can find one, then that would replace the PS3 for most of us. Or at least the Linux-developing part we have with OtherOS.
Kazper I can transfer my dvds to the ps3 from my pc…I have a slim.
Time for my daily post on this, later I am going to send in a bunch of complaints to email and customer service forms again. This is UNACCEPTABLE Sony, I will file with every consumer protection group, and there is talk of class actions being possible, I will join. Fix the hole, update the hypervisor, whatever, but we PAID for the R&D that it took to build that hypervisor. The only excusable solution I will accept other than an apology and backtracking on this, I will accept if you send me a brand new PS3 slim, I will transfer my games and saves to the new one. Slim will be for GameOS, Fat (no longer “Phat”) will be for OtherOS. I would rather you guys wait and DISABLE pirating units rather than this, you can figure out a way. I HAVE NO INTENTION of pirating so that would be ACCEPTABLE.
Thinking….
This update is really for Piracy, they miss the old good days of PS1 and PS2 high console sales because of high piracy… They miss those days badly. So they know that the reason that the PS3 hasn’t been pirated is because Other OS, They are removing it to provoke piracy! At the end it’s true that SONY benefice from it!
It’s clear that in public they condone piracy, but secretly they support it! Firmware 3.21 is the proof.
@TwoIncheS
You didn’t see what I wrote – I said the Cell was awesome at it – as in *it is better* than a PC at this. Also it does not solve my other issue
@oldmipu
PS3’s are not *that* cheap, nor that small or pretty to have several boxes laying around. This should NOT be necessary.
@3131
have you heard of the psp? they took baby steps with the piracy on that little machine and now, its 100% open to anything and software sales are awful (sony i love you but the psp has failed pretty hard) well I dont want the ps3 turning into the psp so I am glad they acted fast this time.
wtf sony i personaly save all my money to by a ps3 that is compatable with another os and u are removing it. i think u guys should be sued. and change your commercial”it does everything”
i am now thinking about getting the next gen xbox rathr than a ps3 now. SONY..! consumers come first. please somebody sue sony please. dont take away my feature add some more features instead. i want to play games like mario on my linux
probably an
APRIL FOOL’S JOKE!
This is totally BS. This will do nothing to the hackers. It will just hurt the honest people. People who knows how to and likes to run Linux. Hackers will figure a way around it. The only reason it has taken a long time for the PS3 to be hack, is that blank Blue-ray disk are so expensive therefore low profit for pirates and also no one is going to download 60gb per game at a time when ISP are capping bandwidth. I supported the Sony for a long time now, and if they go through with this (Going back on their word by removing features to a product I paid for), I will have to reconsider my loyalty. what is next? They better not turn PSN to subscription based like Xbox Live…
I’ do use the other OS feature!!! I’ have 2 PS3 first generation, I’ use both for gaming and to run linux for MSN and video conference from the big TV. Apart of the browsing that is faster then the crappy browser of the ps3.
So I’need to use the gaming and I’need to be able to sign to the ps network and I’need to keep ussing my linux.
This is just outrageous!!.
Sony wrote “Hello Derek,
We apologize for any inconvenience that you may be experiencing with the removal of the Other OS feature in the next update for the PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system. 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. If you do update to the 3.21 on your PlayStation(R)3 system you will not be able to use the hard disk partitions used by the other operating system. The data saved in these partitions cannot be restored after the system software has been updated. You will need to back up all data to storage media before updating the system software. You may need to format the Hard Disc Drive to get the partition back.”
They also had no concern over what I was writing to them, “Is this a joke, are you really removing the Other OS feature? Or is this a April Fools joke that you are playing on everybody as it does release April 1st. If you look at the 2000+ comments on the Playstation Blog you will realize you are making a horrible decision and letting a lot of major fans down, but not only that, it is insulting to not give us any feature in the updates, but to only take away features. Now if this is a joke, great job, but if it isnt, wow, you have lost a lot of customers…. including me. Is this real or not?” I did reply, I will back and see what they say, the don’t even answer what I am writing, they just have **** prewritten GARBAGE, the point is not that they are removing Linux support, but that they are doing something they said they would not do.
After further review and a day to let it soak in, blame Geohot not Sony. Look at what happened to the PSP when it got hacked. Sony has every right to protect their investment much like you would your home or anything you own.
My apologies for jumping to conclusions, but seriously blame hackers, modders and pirates for this not Sony. It sucks to lose Linux support but obviously this was more of a threat than we all initially expected.
Too bad this isn’t just a bad April fools joke.
@INTRINSIK
Couldn’t agree more. There’s no point in even trying to explain architecture differences to fanboy trolls. Most of them probably think that their PS3’s have Core2Duo’s in them and can run Windows 7 if Sony let them. It really is a shame that the only CellBE workstation available to basic consumers is going to become extinct. I do have to say I loved your comment and had a good laugh. It’s not only hilarious, but sadly true:
“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. . .”
I use the OtherOS feature on occasion and cherish its availability. So to continue to be able to use it one of the following will have to happen:
1) I buy another PS3.
2) I stop using the PS3 as a console in order to retain OtherOS and be forced to stop buying new games.
3) I continue using the PS3 as a computer and buy another console.
4) Didn’t care in the first place (Not applicable here)
Fortunately for Sony, people who take options #2 and #3 instead of #1 and #4 will be a vast minority of people. Unfortunately for me.
Ultimately, this will do nothing but temporarily hamper the progress towards cracking the ps3, while increasing the fervor in doing so. This means Sony and their partners will lose regardless, and everyone who used OtherOS will have lost on April 1. I like the fact that the PS3 does not have the rampant piracy of other consoles, and the PS3 has still managed to hold its own, but there needs to be another solution.
That piracy excuse again?
The original UMD PSP is selling very strong, while the all locked up Go sells horribly. Sony is making money off the open UMD PSP, go figure!
As for consoles, the Xbox 360 can be modded and has been, but MSFT still rakes in big cash. AND they didn’t punish legit users, just banned the pirates(although not all modded Xboxes are for pirating, MSFT). THAT’S what you do if you must, Sony.
But instead Sony panics at a not even full crack and screws over early adopters when they said they wouldn’t. Good move backtracking Sony, indeed! I wonder how long before they try to remove the browser, the DLNA and also take away USB storage, since pirated material can enter that way too?
The slippery slope may be starting right here and now.
SONY LIES! TELLING US THEY WOULD NEVER TAKE THIS AWAY AND THEN GOING AGAINST THEIR WORD AND TAKING IT AWAY! LIARS!
@3127 Are you even reading what you’re typing? Are you seriously suggesting that because Sony is removing a feature from my PS3, that I should reward them by purchasing a SECOND PS3?? People like you are the reason why honest customers get hosed.
I bought my $600 launch PS3 with the expectation that it would run Linux AND connect to PSN. But hey, why not spend another $300 and waste the space/connections because Sony decided to downgrade my equipment? Heck, I guess if I’m running low on connections, I should dump my $1200 Yamaha A/V receiver too. I mean, I should probably be buying a Sony receiver instead, huh? Then, next update when they decide to remove more features, I should just buy a third PS3, right?
Do you even realize how idiotic your plan sounds?
Look at everyone, blame Sony, blame Geohot. Why do I have to pick one? Geohot not only started playing with hacking it, he released his exploit that does next to nothing, and you have to pull apart the PS3 and solder it, add parts etc. He released this so he could feel big and mighty and get interviews etc. Having said this, Sony took it upon themselves to eliminate this feature even thought it is a LONG way from being able to even run unsigned code, let alone piracy. They hit the panic button, and jumped the gun. How many people do you know who are going to open their PS3, solder in a switch to shock the chips etc, just so they can look at the memory? I am betting on less than 10 worldwide. PS3 was promoted with Uber-Security, layers upon layers. Even IF all security goes down, why did I pay a premium price for R&D on the Hypervisor only to get rid of it? I paid for a set of features, I wan’t all of them. I’m not an idiot who says I’ll buy 360 now, but I think I will be done with Sony products, and if I need to game, maybe its time to consider a gaming PC.
Bunch of whiners still whining. Still no word from Sony so hahahahahahaha @ you nolifers. SAY BYE BYE TO OTHER/OS HAHAHAH NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT HAHAHAHA ITS GREAT…ITS BRILLIANT HAHAHAHA I LOVE IT HAHAHAHA
Oh and @aspectoflight Sir or madam, who has no life? You are trolling a board encouraging a corporation to steal from its customers. Why are you even here? Its called standing up for your rights, be they consumer rights or otherwise.
A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play…
Two things, some people seem to think CFW will enable some sort of piracy. It won’t. It’ll just be a custom version of 3.21 that doesn’t lose OtherOS support. Hacking isn’t about getting what you didn’t pay for, it’s about making sure you do get what you did.
And this is about more than this feature right now. It’s about whether these companies have the right to take away advertised features from a product you purchased. Imagine if an exploit were found in Safari on the iPhone, but instead of fixing it, Apple decides to pull web browsing altogether. Legally, they may be within their right to do so, but we have to show them it’s the wrong move for the future of the product and the company.
Geohot (Amazing iPhone hacker, who hacked the PS3)-
“A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play…
Two things, some people seem to think CFW will enable some sort of piracy. It won’t. It’ll just be a custom version of 3.21 that doesn’t lose OtherOS support. Hacking isn’t about getting what you didn’t pay for, it’s about making sure you do get what you did.
And this is about more than this feature right now. It’s about whether these companies have the right to take away advertised features from a product you purchased. Imagine if an exploit were found in Safari on the iPhone, but instead of fixing it, Apple decides to pull web browsing altogether. Legally, they may be within their right to do so, but we have to show them it’s the wrong move for the future of the product and the company.”
Its not about piracy!!!
The original PSP UMD sells well. The PSP Go don’t sell ?
Why ? Piracy ?
No ! Simply that all people are not silly, and a lot of the show the way SONY tries to make us ‘Not the owner’ of our products.
PSP Go is a clash, because people can’t sell their used games. Nothing more.
SONY : You take off Other OS … So, anyway, it seems you don’t care loosing customers. But that is a bad move, if you loose customers, you make very bad advertising. The effect is that you will attract less poeople, won’t sell more PS3, and by the way, attract less people. and so one.
And think of that : You threat us as dogs. But remember : Never take off a bone you give before to a dog, or it will bite you !
companies do not have the right to take away advertised features from a product you purchased. Imagine if an exploit were found in Safari on the iPhone, but instead of fixing it, Apple decides to pull web browsing altogether. Legally, they may be within their right to do so, but we have to show them it’s the wrong move for the future of the product and the company.
geo says he is putting together custom 3.21 firmware with the otherOS feature in it!!!
haha @ sony
Keep in mind, the speculation is that Sony STILL loses money on every PS3 sold. If you buy another PS3, it actually hurts their attach rate (number of game sales per number of consoles sold). In a twisted way, just buying another PS3 doesn’t help Sony in some key metrics developers look at. It hurts their bottom line and makes it look like PS3 owners buy fewer games. ;)
Not saying you SHOULD buy another PS3 but it’s not like just buying a new PS3 and leaving an old one un-updated makes Sony particularly happy!
I’m thinking it’s time to just start buying all Sony first party games used. That way Sony makes NO money off of it.
@AspectOfAss
You’re wrong. There’s always PS3Proxy. PSN, PS Store, etc… all works and no need to update. Trust me when I say hackers have thought of everything. All that without the high price tag of Sony’s overrated R&D department.
wow 3100+ comments!!! what ever happened to a company protecting an investment people i mean seriously
would you release a product and just let random d-bag hackers walk through it and exploit it and give what you sell to anyone for free?
i mean their loosing money on the psp and ps2 because of crap like this just check any torrent site .. im glad their ditching otherOS as i figured they would knowing about what it could eventually do to them
i’d rather use the ps3 for gaming because linux barely supports the ps3 still
So you guys are willing to trust the firmware developed by the hacker who got this removed in the first place?
You guys seriously deserve to lose this feature then. I am glad you lost 600 dollars. Haha @ you. and Haha @ him when Sony takes him to court and wrenches him for every cent he is worth. Which like like 12.
um geohot hates piracy, his hack does not support it at all, and would not lead to any piracy what so ever.
i highly doubt most people would even consider custom firmware knowing how people are so insecure about firmware on the ps3 but hey to each his own ..
back to the gaming
@AspectOfLife — Get a life and GTFO troll.
I love all the people who are like “GRR he never made this hack to pirate games” “argg hackers are not all about hurting companys”
then your little savior geohot says this one line “I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play…” and I think what a JackA**. now he looks like a big hero saving all of us from the evil sony fat cats stuffing there pockets from….all the money they will make…from deleting something? what?
cant wait to see the first run of banned accounts from adding using his psn network hack.
So you guys are willing to trust the firmware developed by the hacker who got this removed in the first place?
You guys seriously deserve to lose this feature then. I am glad you lost 600 dollars. Haha @ you. and Haha @ him when Sony takes him to court and wrenches him for every cent he is worth. Which like like 12.”
1.sony cant take him to court what he did was 100% legal, if anything, geohot can take sony to court, for taking away an advertised feature.
2. yes we trust geohot and well install his custom firmware/os, for he is very smart, and a well known hacker, he was the first to unlock an iphone, and one of the first to jailbreak an iphone, and his custom iphone firmwares work great.
3. you have no clue what your talking about, also geohot dislikes piracy.
The truth i hate the CFW sceen. I want nothing to do with it. The whole cat and mouse sucks.But i agree with the screen. The ps3 just keeps taking features away it makes no sense.
Then fix the vulnerability rather than take the feature away. It’s so typical of Sony though. Back when they promised full PS2 emulation on the PS3 so we’d get full HD resolution gaming of PS2 titles. Ever wonder why that never happened? They took the easy road and decided it was too much work and easier to ditch. I know firsthand as a team member of PCSX2 (a PS2 emulator for PC) just how hard it is to virtualize the PS2’s environment entirely by software, but the funny thing is we are awfully close, and I’m betting we’re closer to achieving it than Sony ever was. And unlike Sony, we didn’t throw it out simply for the fact that it was too hard.
Now this vulnerability is discovered in the OtherOS feature, and rather than fix their mistake, Sony ditches another promised feature. But unlike PS2 emulation, which was promised before the PS3 was released, OtherOS capability is actually there and being taken away from those that have have come to utilize and rely on it.
Dear sony:
I condemn you for taking away the reason i’ve kept my fat ps3,
I laugh at your pathetic attempt to deter hackers,
I am saddened by your removal of a feature i planned to use,
and lastly, I am disappointed that you are taking part of what i paid for away from me without a refund of my money [which by the way, i slaved at Mcdonalds for MONTHS saving up money for it.]
Geohot=supper man
sony=bad guy
i see law suites coming up, and i like the custom firmware scene.
we all including geo never intended the cfw scene, but if sony wants to play the game this way, why dont we get at em’, and create custom firmwares?
also they cant ban our psn, just like apple cant ban jailbreakers itunes accounts.
cat & mouse game here we come, i expect many ps3 firmwares labeled as “secerity enhancements” coming up.
i,m agree with these words
A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that’s how you want to play…
Two things, some people seem to think CFW will enable some sort of piracy. It won’t. It’ll just be a custom version of 3.21 that doesn’t lose OtherOS support. Hacking isn’t about getting what you didn’t pay for, it’s about making sure you do get what you did.
And this is about more than this feature right now. It’s about whether these companies have the right to take away advertised features from a product you purchased. Imagine if an exploit were found in Safari on the iPhone, but instead of fixing it, Apple decides to pull web browsing altogether. Legally, they may be within their right to do so, but we have to show them it’s the wrong move for the future of the product and the company.
i cant wait to see this in court
judge: you’ve taken the ability to run a advertised element on there system
sony: no you honor they don’t have to update.
judge: CASE DISMISSED!
i cant wait to see this in court
judge: you’ve taken the ability to run a advertised element on there system
sony: no you honor they don’t have to update.
judge: CASE DISMISSED!”
no sony would loose, for if you dont update you still loose many advertised features for not being on the latest firmware.
“i cant wait to see this in court
judge: you’ve taken the ability to run a advertised element on there system
sony: no you honor they don’t have to update.
judge: CASE DISMISSED!”
They do if they want to play new games or Bluray movies, dummy.
Can you stop the torrent of bull spewing from your gigantic pie hole?
It would be nice to see a fix for allowing sub accounts to be able to link to Facebook and not just master accounts :-(. Any news on that yet?
BUT you also can’t use your system as intended if you don’t do this downgrade, don’t forget that part 2inches.
It would be nice to see a fix for allowing sub accounts to be able to link to Facebook and not just master accounts :-(. Any news on that yet?”
mabey geohot well include many new features in a future cfw release, like that.
look at the iphone os being tweaked (jailbroken) by geohot