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)
No… they are idiots. They don’t even know how to make cross game chat or they might have made it already.
They are too busy worrying about what *might* happen or *might* be hacked to even produce a quality product.
I just hope they got so many e-mails that they realize that they are being a bunch of idiots.
All I know is they better post each and every thing this downgrade does! Full disclosure before anyone “updates” anything! This firmware better not just be to remove a feature.
Seriously, you guys blew this out of proportion…its a dumb feature anyway…
PS3 linux was useless for regular software anyway. You’d have to specially compile programs to utilize multiple cores, if that software even supported it. The sixaxis drivers were hard to get working, if they would work at all. The OS couldn’t access the video acceleration hardware, meaning it was essentially an 8 core web browser. It didn’t even do that all that well.
Even on 2 cores, the PS3 is not much slower than a P4 computer. I use it for running integer linear programming search.
@3333 TechieXXDivaX:
Yes, definitely going to hold off on this update until there is a proper postmortem done. Who knows what other insidious things might be in there?
terrible decision after that fu***** feb/mar error, sony going to wrong way.
i use my ps3 as a svn server, ftp server, and web server during the day whenever i’m not playing games…
now it looks like sony wants to block my ability to play games by not allowing me to get their update.
why wouldnt you let me update, sony?
@ robzilla2000 so you use your PS3 as an FTP server to give all your friends pirated music/movies and games? Sony will not feel sorry for you.
Remember, everyone: If you don’t personally use something, it’s stupid and nobody needs it. Minorities deserve any harm that comes to them.
PS3
“it only does* everything”
*a new word meaning DID
aspect, you’re still here? jeez…
Let’s take a moment now to travel all the way back to March 28th 2010.
———————-
The_Assassin03 | March 28th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Is that all? A lot of people I know are going to be angry.
———————-
Indeed, ‘The_Assassin03.’ Indeed.
3000+ and not slowing down.
This “update” actively disrespects the customers who paid for their hardware while running Linux was advertised as a feature.
Sony, you lost my respect.
I’ll go one better Noitcartsba.
PS3: Pay double now, get shafted later.
LOL.
I swear to god I hope the power goes out in AspectOfLights house while he’s flashing his ps3, just so I can laugh my ass off when this patch he wants bricks his S***
plz god I never really ask for much
Ok Done feeding the trolls
Btw just ignore the ignorant
It’s probably just that spaz kid from youtube who shoved the remote up his a$$
Regarding this “firmware update”, Mr. Seybold, YOU LIE! First, firmware updates are never made on the same day the PSN store is updated. Second, your job has been to smooth over Sony’s image, not further alienate Sony from its customers, so I call BS there too. Third, this is your first ever blog post about a firmware update, and it would be suicide for you to post about this one. So, Mr. Seybold, I’ll say it again: YOU LIE!
just ignore the troll and it will go back under its bridge.
@3348
I actually contacted SCEA Customer support over this. They said this is not a joke. Plain and simple. Believe what you will. Thursday JST is Wednesday here in the US. Version number is post patch for an update that probably should have been released in February. Seybold drew the short stick.
any other accusations you wnat make before I put you to the FTC’s website so you can file a complaint like the rest of us?
How can any of you been that retarded, you can’t just report something to the ftc because you don’t like it. It doesn’t work that way…you and your imaginary “rights”.
Can someone knowledgeable help me understand the Linux limitaitons on the PS3? I was reading through geohats blog and it seems to indicate that the OtherOs is only allocated so many of the systems processors. How many was that?
@3346: I admit, if it’s an April Fools Day joke, it’s a lot cleverer and riskier than I would have expected from Sony :). Another couple of possibilities are:
1. They’re hoping many will mistake it for a joke, which will diffuse the negative outcry, or
2. They’re gauging the negative response, and can back-pedal by saying it was a joke if necessary. :P
@AspectOfLight
I’m losing a feature that I use, and like using. Not only that, but there’s no technical reason for it to be removed. It seems to be political.
And you want me to be happy with that? No can do. I’m upset, and rightfully so.
@Sven_Viking: regarding your #2 – thought of that also, and it’s a good theory. That’s how I’d do it if I were about to screw over my most dedicated followers
@AOL: this took like 10 seconds to find:https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
So why doesn’t someone tell us whether this firmware will add anything or not? And if all it does is take away Linux, do Slim owners even have to do this? What’s going on Sony? If everyone with any model PS3 has to do this “update” to use PSN, there’s something else in this update. SPILL IT!
@techiexxdivax the slims are unaffected they don’t have the other os feature
I’m asking though, if EVERYONE with a PS3 has to do this update? If they do, there’s something else in it.
@Sven_Viking: Well, at 3,357 posts and counting (and a 1.6 post rating – who are these people giving more than 1 star to this??), I think they’ve got their answer as far as “negative response” goes.
as far as anyone knows it’s only to disable the other os feature in the fat boys
eventually everyone will have to update but for now it’s “optional”
you guys are morons its an April Fool’s Day joke :|
posted a bit back, but I called Sony today, talked to a representative, who talked to a tech person, and he told me that i would still be able to play on PSN with firmware 3.15.
Either he lied to me, or this article was very poorly written. Hopefully it would be just a poorly written article, but I’m not to positive about that.
@ badreligionbomb what if it’s not? sometimes truth is stranger then fiction. sorry couldn’t help myself.
lol techiexx
get shafted later- that’s what they did with the price cut :P
let alone feature axing
i mean, they don’t even deserve the slogan “it only does everything” right now. The ps3 can’t even play back mkv video, let alone the BC feature. i have an 80 gig fatty that i kept only because of the feature they’re trashing. Granted the feature as it currently is implemented is restricted… i could *cough* fix that fairly easily.
i did end up thinking though that since the slims don’t have the feature, how sony would go about the update with them, if at all.. i suppose all we can do is wait for the apocalyps3.21 XD
Still no reply from sony? WTF!!! I will spread the word that sony screws his customers! Never ever will i buy another sony product.
WHEN YOU SAY “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” what do you are? i dont get it….
Any lawyers here want to organize a class action lawsuit? We’re all in.
Stop complaing and SHUT THE HELL UP.
People keep blaming Sony, they didn’t try to exploit the system. Stop ranting and having a go when Geohot acts all self-righteous when in fact his hacking has caused this mess.
Sony have taken away a feature so that the system is secure. If they left it open others would then be able to exploit and create viruses etc and all of you people will be coming on here shouting;
“Where is my suuport against viruses, being hacked, oh this can’t be legal!”
Sony are keeping their product safe by keeping your system safe.
“Can someone knowledgeable help me understand the Linux limitaitons on the PS3? I was reading through geohats blog and it seems to indicate that the OtherOs is only allocated so many of the systems processors. How many was that?”
Sure. Linux has access to the PPE, and 6 of the 7 SPEs.
Cheers,
Paul
@3364
You mentione the feature is restricted. What exactly does that mean?
@weasel_bot
Cool, Thank you!
Shadows-Creed,
Windows can get hacked. Macs can get hacked. People don’t stop using these because of it. They know the risks involved. What Sony is doing is taking away the ability for people to make a choice. If you don’t have a problem with it, then good for you, but it’s you that needs to shut the hell up and stay out of other people’s gripes that are not your own.
why cant they just release a fix to cover any bugs that they might use to hack it, wow not so hard, I find it funny none of the blog admins have commented yet, wow, wtf
at least put an update for MKV support
@Starscream_714
you still have a choice whether you want to access Sony PRIVATE PSN NETWORK or want to use linux instead
I see this no different as M$ banning modded 360 from Live
@Sven_Viking
the only reason pirates arent allowed inside PSN is because they are pirates who only want stuff for free, they wouldnt be buying anything anyway
@dereileak,
wow, I didnt know that its ‘not that hard’ to ‘just’ fix the bug… care to share how ?
and while you’re at it, we could use those cure for cancer you’ve been holding on to
Keep it up people. Google-ing “PlayStation” yields this blog post as the 4th hit, not to mention all the news coverage of the removal of this feature.
Sony is absolutely drowning in negative press right now.
op, sorry about the 4th hit reference, forgot I was logged in and it was displaying personalized results. Still keep it up! There is an amazing amount of coverage in the press.
I suppose we have the option of completely gutting the firmware, building our own that lets us use it entirely as a computer with ALL the hardware access.
Sure I’d loose games and movies, but I only have 4 games and 1 blu-ray movie with no real intent on collecting any more (especially as it’ll be lining Sony’s pockets)
So… I get full access to cell beyond the original firmware restrictions, Sony looses control of my PS3, and any chance of seeing another dime from me.
@sandyph,
It’s completely different from MS banning modded 360 from Live. Those people hacked their boxes to do things MS never intended them to do.
“Other OS” was a fully supported and advertised feature. Just because I use Other OS doesn’t mean I’m going to hack my box. I have no interest in doing so and neither do others. I’m not doing anything wrong. Now I’m going to lose PSN access for not hacking the box and doing what was advertised?
And what happens when I want to use a future game or blu-ray movie that requires an os version greater than 3.21? I’m screwed. All for doing nothing wrong.
Now do you see how different it is from modded 360’s?