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)
Nice… It should also remove the Playstation Network, the ability to run in HD and the ability to play music. Ha ha I kid, I can totally understand security and all, but how many have actually installed another OS? Shouldn’t it be like a titanium vault regardless? I always thought a security patch would resolve it rather than removing a feature.
Please Sony, don’t… first you say “it simply does everything” and than you cut the feature we already have???
if this is to prevent piracy, I say that every move you make to prevent piracy that affect actual customers is BAD.
You sold it to me with Other OS, it is in the instructon manual, I have installed it, it is a feature.. and now you are going to remove it??????????
hey to me its a good idea. Do we want to end up like xbox with all the hacks that are destroying gameplay? Maybe its me but I never saw a point another OS, thats what my laptops for anyway.
Notice how every other official update release on this damn blog was written by Eric Lampel, the Director of PlayStation Network Operations and then this [DELETED] update was written by Patrick Seybold the Sr. Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media. This is a PR joke and I bet they’ll instead ADD the ‘Install other OS’ feature to the slim models instead of cut it out of the older ones. Nice try at an April Fool’s joke Sony.
Wow way to be complete and utter noob and removing a feature instead of adding to them. Whats next taking away free online play?
Nice to know I bought my PS3 for this feature and you idiots turn around and force people to not be able to use it no more. Well nice commy move there sony.
Hitler called he wants his ideas backs. Console Nazi’s.
i want my ubuntu back! Improve security NOT through your USERS! IT WAS YOUR DECISION – OTHER OS.
A child molester you say?! Well, I never! You didn’t hear it from me, but I heard that Geohot also steals money from church donation boxs for the poor. I’ve also heard it said that he kicks disabled people if nobody is looking. He is obviously a person that no good comes from.
@sandyph: That’s a dead-end argument. If pirates never buy anything, there’s no way to make a gain or loss from them, and they wouldn’t own PS3s to begin with.
Interesting that the console you pointed out as a failure — an exception to my examples of consoles with high game sales despite piracy — was the ONLY ONE that’s done exactly what Sony is planning to do here. That is, prevent anyone interested in homebrew, or even piracy, from being able to play legally purchased games. (I missed the NDS in my list, by the way, because I wasn’t thinking about handhelds. Rampant piracy on there… obviously a total commercial failure.)
I’m not suggesting they stop trying to prevent piracy, of course. Only that you do not improve your profit margins by removing features from loyal customers in order to block others from buying your games. It is totally illogical.
(In case anyone has somehow missed this: Those really interested in piracy/etc. will, of course, simply refrain from updating their firmware. They can continue with a hack just as easily, and proceed to develop “PS3 viruses” assuming that were possible.
اوووووووووف ززهقنا من كثر مانحدددث
@Starscream_714
Sure, they know the risks involved which is why the have anti-virus software loaded. Is that what you want on your PS3 just so you can keep ‘Other OS’? Sure it was a feature, but then if other features will involve hacks which could destroy your system then yep, I guess your right to keep it should be paramount.
“Stay out of other people’s gripes that are not your own”, so you are allowed an opinion but I’m not… bit one-sided there. I want a secure PS3, and I have an opinion on this news/update, everyone is talking about what they are going to lose without thinking of the future if Sony left an exploit area open.
Sandyph is correct, choice still exists just press ‘No’ to the update.
I really doubt most people purchased their console because of ‘Other OS’, it’s nothing to do with Blu-Ray or PS3 HD gaming?
On another note, Starscream_714 we all know you are using a PC right now to write this… and you still need Linux on a PS3?
Classical attitude of a corporation towards its clients.
They give a [DELETED] that WE are using alternative operating systems on the PS3.
I payed for the PS3 with this feature, it was promoted and was part of the sale pitch of a store employee. What next, take away media server features because some use pirated mp3 files on the PS3?
I use the other os on PS3 to render my CAD models. While I work on the PC the PS3 is happily rendering in the background. Not any more.
Thank you Sony Corporation for not carrying about us. Once you have our money for the PS3 we don`t count any more.
Labeling it “optional” does not alleviate the problem.
Hey, I paid $$$ for a complete system.
Now Sony says, do you want to give up this feature?, or these features?
Either way its a bait&switch. They have my money, now they are taking away the product I bought, and giving me the choice between two lesser products without compensation.
If I really have a choice, I choose to keep the fully featured product I paid for.
As mentioned, removing OtherOS in no way prevents people from developing the fabled PS3 Virus. The PS3 virus-making-hacker community simply needs to refrain from updating their firmware.
Excuse me for not having read all preceding 3391 comments, but I am outraged at this. If it hasn’t been said before, it’s my view that in UK law, a claim for the refund of the purchase price would on the balance of probabilities (the UK test of civil law), succeed. Quite simply, the PS3 will no longer match the description under which it was sold. As for the update being “optional”, well it’s not really. “Opt” not to install it and you still lose functionality. Very,very,very bad idea Sony!
April Fool’s Day joke, anyone?
Come on, I can’t believe so many forgot what’s so special about April 1st, the day this update is supposedly coming out!
@gamesadict89: And release it several days before April 1? How funny is that? If Sony comes out saying it was an April Fools (which I really hope since that means the function will be kept!) then it is because they are trying to backtrack their way out of this mess.
about two weeks ago sony told us they still support OTHEROS….now this…i just hope its an joke…a really bad one by the way….
i dont think sony wants angry gamers…or even worse…angry hackers….
@thiim82: Release? They simply announced it, and by the way, it wasn’t even announced by the right guy. Eric Lempel is the one that always announces the firmware updates.
Patrick Seybold announced this one, which so far would make the announcement invalid. This may be the PS Blog, but firmware updates are not HIS responsibility.
It will be so much fun to see what customer services say when they try to explain me why it’s good for me to have my whole Linux taken away from me. Either way, tomorrow Sony will lose a lot of fans.
And it will be so much fun to watch thousands of users whine because the update is coming, but by the end of the day, no update…
Endless rivers of delicious tears, cried for no reason at all.
Best joke ever.
Strategically, this is a horrible move.
There are lots of skilled programmers who can write homebrew code for the PS3, and having the OtherOS area to work in is enough for them. There is a very, very small group of people interested and capable of hacking the system to access more of the systems capabilities, and a Tiny group of those people might be interested in piracy.
This move unifies all these factions of programmers behind a single goal: Hacking the PS3 firmware.
Before this boneheaded move by Sony, a custom firmware for the PS3 was years away. Now its probably only months, maybe even weeks.
Last week there were a dozen capable PS3 hackers, and one or two if any with malicious intent. Today there are hundreds of PS3 hackers.
Sony’s tag line is “Believe anything you can imagine, you can make real”
And yet Sony are going to disable a feature on older PS3 boxes that allows users to use the console as a Linux box to access the huge processing power of the cell processor. So something that I can more than imagine, something I can already do, will be removed.
What a terrible decision. This won’t stop hackers. But it will inconvenience many genuine users.
I think it immoral to remove an advertised feature on the basis that it may be used illegally. How would this reasoning translate to gun law in the US?
It’s like they don’t trust the average consumers of their products. What a signal to send out. Bad bad move Sony.
Short of your Linux OS being hacked or yourself installing a nasty script, you aren’t going to suffer from a virus. Besides the people that know how to look after a Linux installation are not the sort of people to have a “virus” infect their system anyway.
Unless I am mistaken, I didn’t think it had moved passed the stage of needing the PS3 to be cracked open yet.
I also don’t see anyone doing that when they have forked out $900+ of their hard earned on the FATs.
I paid for extended warranty in my case given the fact that it was more than just a game console and that my original PS2 FAT is still going strong to this day for the kids.
I for one will not be updating, but I will have to do all my online stuff on my sons SLIM till I get one for myself and transfer my 500GB into it.
@gamesadict89: By “release” I meant the news of the update was released several days ago. As the name implies, and April’s Fool joke is released on April 1 – whatever this is, this isn’t an April”s Fool joke. However I could see Sony come out and say it was if they regretted their action, and it might even have been planned in advance to have this option. Either that, or Sony relied on apologists like you trying to reduce the anger by saying “Look it’s only an April Fool’s joke”.
By the way, will you be here apologizing for your stupid posts if and when the update is released?
Is there going to be any response from Sony on this?
As such will be interested to see just exactly what the ACCC will have to say about it.
ACCC
Statutory rights apply to all consumer purchases.
These rights are:
• the goods must be of merchantable quality (they must meet a basic level of quality and performance considering their price and description)
• the goods must be fit for their purpose (they have to do what they are supposed to do)
• the goods must match the description you are given or the sample you chose.
There must be clear title to the goods (you can expect to own the goods outright and that your ownership of the goods is not disputed). Any restriction on ownership should be explained to you before you buy the goods.
My Model was purchased with B/C, Other OS support AND PSN access.
OtherOS was a feature plastered all over the web and instructions in the manual.
Now it’s to be removed after purchase no matter how late in the game. I should be entitled to a refund of the difference between my original purchase and the cost of a new 120GB SLIM (at the very least). Should I agree to update to the new firmware.
In future if they remove Backwards Compatibility from the original FATs I will be pursuing the road of returning my FAT for a full refund.
I like how no one’s responded to any of the comments here….like they’re ashamed. :P
I am still hoping to god that this is just a cruel joke.
This is my only “computer,” and I’d hate to have it stolen from me after I paid so much money for it . . .
Is 1.59 the best we can do? Downvote it people!
Hope it is an April’s Fool joke or a test for our interest in this feuture!
I can only speak for myself.
I admit to being a bit of a Sony fanboy at least in the past. I’ve had 3 Sony Vaio computers, numerous Walkman, MD & CD players, 2 Sony Ericsson phones, a Sony camera, a large LCD TV and a fat ps/3.
I’ve bought all of them as an “early adopter” at a premium purchase price.
If this is the thanks that this company gives to its loyal customers who paid a huge premium of over $300-$400 for early access to additional console features like backward compatibility with ps2 games, blue ray, free online gaming, AND other OS installation all in one box, then this is simply the last straw and I promise that I won’t be buying any more Sony products.
Simple as that.
Being realistic, that probably makes 6 of us in total. But who knows, maybe others may join in the protest.
I have just made a complaint to trading standards in the UK. Manufacturers should not have the right to retrospectively remove advertised features, just because they are too lazy to fix a security hole.
This is an insulting, gross, and arrogant way for Sony to work around the hack problem and does nothing to foster long-term customer loyalty.
Sony should compensate all PS3 owners who install this update, since those customers are losing a feature for which they paid good money.
Whoever made this decision at Sony has VERY questionable judgement.
1. The hacker community is a ways away from being able to actually pirate games. Not only do you have to get past the PS3’s hypervisor, you also have to deal with BluRays, the size of those things, etc…
2. The community that developed Yellow Dog Linux and various projects just got an unceremonious slap in the face for all their time and effort.
3. The will of the hacker community was good towards Sony – no one has hacked this thing for 3 years, and geohot just did it to show off. Now a much larger community is mad at Sony – mad people don’t draw community-based limits (like only using the 3d acceleration capabilities for linux).
4. To even touch the hypervisor requires messing around with solder points and an FPGA – this is way out of reach for the vast majority of users (you know, the people you are punishing Sony).
The good that will likely come out of all this – features that Sony doesn’t put development effort into despite calls from its users (go read the last couple years of forum posts) to do so – MKV playback, configurable partition size, etc may now become a reality because of this decision by Sony. (I’m speculating)
Does this really accomplish anything? Lets say the hacker community does actually develop some bad stuff – why wouldn’t users just reload 3.15 and install other os – then install the bad stuff? Basically you are just eliminating Other Os for the “non-hackers” (everyone but geohot) until the hacker community actually hacks your system at which point anyone that wants their Other OS back will be able to get it. Basically you’ve made it so honest user get screwed out of a feature and people who don’t have an aversion to breaking rules will not only get access to that feature but maybe many more – way to set up an incentive system Sony.
To summarize Sony has spent development effort into taking away a feature of the system. Instead of doing it in a way that is graceful (like giving the 10GB that Other Os users have partitioned back to them for GameOS use) they are just saying upgrade to lose 10GB or we take away your PSN. Backup and reformat down the road if you want it back – thanks Sony!
Word of mouth is the most powerful asset of any consumers, and I plan to exercise my right to use my mouth. Everyone I know will learn about how Sony uses illegal bait and switch tactics.
In one sentence, “Sony, I hate you so much.”
I’ve been developing computer programs since I was a child, and I still remember the day we traded in our console for a real computer. From that day forward I valued any system that allowed me to be more than just a simple user, for I could create and customize it to my hearts desire. To me a closed, non-programmable piece of computer hardware is frustratingly inferior to one that can be programmed, whether or not I actually have a need to program it. Thanks for giving me this nice choice, keep using my PS3 as an entertainment system, or keep it as a programmable device that’s more or less useless as an entertainment system. What a wonderful user experience this is.
I feel that this update greatly diminishes the value of my PS3, and fully believe that I have a right to be compensated for this.
I’m an Oceanographic Data Technician. A Software developer that specializes in writing GIS, Metadata and data collection applications related to ocean exploration and analysis. I use the Linux feature on my PS3 heavily for development, but I also game a lot. I bought the PS3 over an Xbox for this specific feature when the system was first release. Once this feature is disabled on my PS3 and I can no longer both use Linux and play games I will never buy another Sony product and will highly recommend anyone asking me for advice stay away form all Sony products. This is the kind of crap that makes the hackers and pirates look like heroes. Guess what Sony they’re about to win again because you’re about to lose a customer plus any friends, family and co-workers that look to me for advice.
I’m so disappointed in Sony.
@Vanderhoth I was also thinking about how this would affect the USAF, who purchased a slew of PS3s for programming purposes.
I’ve been checking this since it was announced, though not as much as some apparently…cough aspectoflight cough. For someone who is uninterested in whether we get to keep this feature or not, he certainly seems drawn to the conversation. I would suggest everyone ignore this boy as it is the attention he craves. You can take a poke at me if you like. I may actually see it when I get back from work tomorrow.
:-p
President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Kutaragi
“June 7, 2006”
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9642
“I think it’s okay to release a [extended PS3] configuration every year”
“As PS3 is a computer…”
———————————-
Phil Harrison, Sony’s high profile president of SCE Worldwide Studios
“June 1, 2006”
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9547
Harrison suggested that the use of the Linux operation system, hard drive and the Cell processor would lessen the importance of the PC as a home media center. “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,” claimed Harrison
———————————-
Izumi Kawanishi, Sony executive
May 12, 2006
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9290
“Because we have plans for having Linux on board [the PS3], we also recognize Linux programming activities… Other than game studios tied to official developer licenses, we’d like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3.”
“When a game studio enacts development on a PS3 by entering a license contract, SDK libraries… will be presented, and various technical support given. In contrast, when using Linux World on the PS3… support will fall to the lowest level required, and you must solve and work on things by yourselves.”
———————————-
Still I read the word support! And disabling is NO support
Please Sony, I am trying to appeal to anyone who cares out there, there really are some of us who love our PS3 and Sony products but this is the last line. I really don’t want the PS3 to be the last Sony product I invest in, I really like the brand and the exclusives. But if you do this, I really am starting to think it might be time to give up console gaming and see what alternatives happen next generation. I ASSURE you I will not just forget about this, and I also will make it known to people in all aspects of my life when it comes up how I would not recommend Sony because who knows what you bought will turn into. I am a new computer programming student. I have had Linux on my console for a year now, long before this geo-scandal. I had intentions to try my hand at cell programming on the OtherOS. Like many students, I am broke and cannot afford a new PS3. Please, I am not going to get nasty, I already have. I’m going to just ask, can’t you wait and IF piracy happens use the engineers and programmers to find a way to ONLY punish those who pirate. I have no fear of that, as a Computing student I think piracy is detestable and destroys those who work in related fields. Please hear us.
iphone hacker is telling to people that they shouldn’t download the frimware
Sony didn’t even have to add this feature in the first place, and I’m sure somewhere in the ToU there’s a sentence that says “we reserve the right to remove any features” or something to that effect……
I’m much more worried about the recent slew of Jp VA only and/or little English VA in localized NA games like Yakuza 3 and Resonance of Fate then the loss of the “Other OS feature” anyways….
It may be worth your time to file a complaint with the FTC
ftccomplaintassistant dot gov
The FTC defines “advertisement” as “any form of public notice however disseminated or utilized.” In this case, the second Sony owned and maintained website, detailing how to install an alternate OS on a PS3. In a legal sense, Other OS is an advertisement feature of the applicable models of the Sony PS3.
As such, Sony is legally obligated to honor that advertisement. Should they disable Other OS with the oncoming Firmware update, they would be committing an ex post facto “Bait and Switch”, according to US Consumer Protection Laws.
One of the most powerful things about the PS3 is the “Install Other OS” option.” ~ Phil Harrison.
Sony’s new firmware scheme of making you choose to lose PSN or lose Other Os and 10GB is a breach of contract for goods sold.
@Musoka_Eimin: You realize that everyone tends to end up suffering for the one or two twits out there screwing it up, right?
Besides, I can’t see how it would be possible to make the few people doing it suffer while everyone else goes along their merry way. The easiest way for them to solve the problem is removing the feature.
Unless….everyone gives them permission to keep 100% track of your PS3 every minute it’s active. Would you prefer a loss of freedom or a loss of a feature?
“Without limitation, services may include the provision of the latest update or download of new release that may include security patches, and new or revised settings and features which may prevent access to pirated games, or use of unauthorized hardware or software in connection with the PS3TM system.”
I don’t believe they can cover behind the above for removing this feature. While it does give them some right to remove functionality, note that it says “… new or revised settings and features __which may prevent access to pirated games, or use of unauthorized hardware or software__”. Hence it is only features with an “unauthorized/piracy-related element” to them that may be removed. While OtherOS could theoretically be hacked, OtherOS was an authorized feature to begin with and it has many different applications previously touted by Sony. Hence it is NOT covered by this clause. This would be like Sony removing the HDMI out, saying it can be used to play pirated games!
Sony says this:
There is more to the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system than you may have assumed. In addition to playing games, watching movies, listening to music, and viewing photos, you can use the PS3™ system to run the Linux operating system.
By installing the Linux operating system, you can use the PS3™ system not only as an entry-level personal computer with hundreds of familiar applications for home and office use, but also as a complete development environment for the Cell Broadband Engine™ (Cell/B.E.).
Sony does this:
In 2006, Terra Soft was contracted by Sony to provide a Linux operating system for the PlayStation 3, used by several University researchers as an inexpensive, powerful cluster compute node.
I buy this:
Yellow Dog Linux “For the Playstation 3” for $59.95
I also buy this: (one month after I buy YDL)
Sony Playstation 3 60GB for $599.99
Then on March 28th 2010, (my B-Day) all of us get crapped on by Sony because of a threat to “Security”
Let me remind you that Sony never said it was Our Security at risk. They are willing to take an advertised feature away from early adopters because of their profit security.
I just made an easy HDTV decision between Sony Bravia and Samsung, and an easy HD Receiver decision between Harmon Kardon and Sony.