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)
C’mon Epic…
Just by you posting about what and Who you think GeoHot is, shows that you just learned of him within 24 hours ago.
His releases are safe. (I would know)
You work for Sony don’t you?
Your break can’t be this long.
um, so far Sony HAS removed usb ports and hardware PS2 emulation and memory card slots..
i feel sad for anyone defending Sony..
exactly FritoZ..
This would have worked itself out.
But…no
Sony had to screw with the people that paid the most for the technology, and got the ball rolling with the PS3.
I’m sorry, but I bite back.
Hey, Epic, WE ARE FOLLOWING THEM.
They aren’t.
Please…just stop posting. You haven’t brought anything valuable to the table at all. Every argument you make is completely wrong, your facts aren’t straight, and you don’t even seem to have a clear understanding as to how the legal system works. If you don’t know about your rights, then learn about them and protect them. While you do that, stop posting here. You’re just wasting space, and if it helps you make your decision, you’re just adding more to the comment board tally.
@dinkin-flicka
actually that is the exact reason why my argument holds merit. technically their os wasnt even hacked. what geohot did was use the other os feature to access system memory and he even needed a hardware mod just to get that far. they can’t just say hey this might one day lead to us getting hacked. remember if someone does hack the ps3 in the future they could use illegally downloaded games burned on blu-rays or run off of a usb flashdrive. does this give them merit to remove those features. i can download and run software on my pc illegally should i choose to but microsoft cant stop me from accesing the internet.
Epic, once again, reread your posts before you post them. You just contradicted yourself, and you really sound like a Nazi. Not a high up, one of the followers.
@TwinDad
It didn’t look right when I was typing it out. I was trying to explain the hazards of CFW with an explanation of the hazard. The fact is that sony is known to hardware ban for many reasons and if they detect a CFW machine I don’t think they will hesitate to ban it.
Maybe putting code in the update process to hit their servers when you update (would work with usb and net installs). If your machine logs in with the new firmware without first hitting their update-auth server, then ban.
It’s Sony, I wouldn’t put anything past them when it comes to DRM and authentication processes.
And seriously should realize there is no way to prevent hacking. if the psp has taught us anything its that no matter how many patches u use once a product is hacked its hacked. thats it. thats what this boils down too. fear. they are terrified of the ps3 getting hacked like the psp so rather than try security patches that obviously dont work they just decided to remove any feature that MIGHT lead to hacking in the future.
I am not updating. My hunch is that the repartitioning process will wipe out saved data for tens of thousands of people, as users are just so accustomed to routinely agreeing to everything in an update without thinking about it. I really don’t see how Sony can just merge the linux partition with the PS3 OS partition. So if you think this thread is epic, wait until Sony’s customer service lines are burning up. Aside from that, we all know that Linux is not the problem, it really just boils down to Sony’s laziness. If they wanted a more secure system, they could release an update for the Linux boot loader (created by their own development team), which as far as I know, has never been updated. The update could simply hide the PS3 OS partition from Linux altogether, which would resolve any hacking attempts by your average computer geeks.
Our real question should be, why is Sony disabling access to PSN if users don’t update? Are they caching sensitive data (like credit card information) from the PSN network onto each PS3? Are the IP addresses of the users you have played against stored somewhere on the system? Whatever it is, there must be some clearly identifiable information stored on the PS3 OS side for there to be a security risk.
Epic,
1. Go to wikipedia and type in “GeoHot”
2. Read the entire entry
3. follow all of the links, and read them.
4. Especially read the links that reporters that come in contact with him have said about his creativity.
The guy was JUST at Google like 2 months ago because they basically paid him to come in and look at stuff real quick for them because he is a genius.
The things he has accomplished so far, make you seem much less smart than you think you are.
Thank you Epic, for proving everything I’ve been saying. I really…don’t have to comment on you anymore.
It only did everything!!!!!!!!
@ busk, it’s hard to post links without moderation. It can be found on Google and was copied by several sites. But I’ll try posting a link here.
http : // lists . ozlabs . org/pipermail/cbe-oss-dev/2010-February/007202 . html
PS3 no longer does EVERYTHING!
@GreatTeacher so you are admitting that you can’t back anything you said up against what I said? Yeah I do not blame you, you know I am right but you just cannot admit it.
the funny thing is, obviously the only people taking the time to post here are people that feel slighted by Sony’s approach to this situation..
And all those other people that are defending Sony are just raising the post count!
thanks for helping the cause!
Just cause this isnt on the front page of your blog doesnt mean we forgot about this Sony. WE ARE STILL UPSET!
QUIET ZE FRITOZ OR YOU VILL BE CLEANSED, YA!
@FritoZ
You’re welcome :)
*acceptor of sanction 3.21*
any signs of this update yet in japan
@ FritoZ,
this:
http :// www . joystiq . com/2010/01/06/psn-survey-hints-at-upcoming-subscription-based-features
Change the motto from “it only does everything”.
;)
ok so everyone who is saying that this is ok i guess you wouldnt mind if windows disabled ur computers ability to go online. i mean i know for a fact i can download and install hacked versions of every microsoft software u can think of. why not just disable the internet as a whole since its such a huge security risk(sarcasm). seriously see the big picture. this is not about what feature they are disabling it is about them disabling any feature that was already paid. doesnt matter which feature it is. its wrong. also it is ILLEGAL for them to restrict any feature of the ps3 should u choose not to update. you dont believe that then why doesnt microsoft disable internet explorer if u choose not to download the newest security patches? cuz its illegal that y.
If I hear one more comment about “At least I know My ps3 is safe”
I’m going to beat someone with a VB text book.
1) You want to be all safe and secure. Get a bubble hide in it.
2) Stay off the internet.
3) Don’t leave your house
4) Don’t have $ex
Because all these things can harm YOU and ME for you MIGHT spread/contract an STD to/from someone I MIGHT possibly sleep with.
So If you still want to enjoy not living in a bubble, the net, $ex and leaving your home, you will have to do so from the island you are being deported too. Again This deportation is not mandatory.
@EpicNotion
“Last word of warning though, DO NOT TRUST GEOHOT. If you trust his custom firmware you are putting yourself at a huge risk. If you use that custom firmware and it ends up hurting your system…Sony will not replace it because it will have gone against their warranty terms.”
But yet I can trust Sony who has proven to brick PS3 systems with firmware updates? I trust no one including Sony.
I personally never said I was trying to change a persons opinion. You keep it it’s your I respect it and I understand your point of view. Do you see the other side of the argument? good agree or disagree you see it, that’s what I’m personally after.
Yea. The never said it would play all games. But what does that have to do with removing a feature? are you saying that if they removed the ability to play games then they did something illegal?
Bah, which I could correct all the typos that I just noticed in my last post.
Sony IS NOT EXCEPTION should have been IS NO* EXCEPTION
i bought my fat ps3 a few years ago with the other os funtion . i have downloaded ,burnt to a disk and installed linux (wich was perfectly fine to do and recomended when i purchased the console). today everything is working fine , but tommorow my perfectly functioning ps3 will have less features and be worth less than it is today !
i dont use linux everyday but its a funtion i like to have and dont want removing .
but i am going to be forced to make a choice , keep linux and dont play any newer games ,blurays or use online features .
if this is the way they fix a security flaw by removing the whole feature instead of patching the problem and we let sony get away with this WHATS NEXT?
There is alot of misinformation going around.
If you do not update you will not be able to do the following:
GO ONLINE ON THE PSN
play new games that require this firmware
play new blu ray FEATURES that require BDlive
You can still go on the internet
You can still play all current games
You can still play blu rays just cannot access certain features
Sony is disabling their own network that they own and operate for those who do not update. They cannot block you from going online, but they can block you from going on the PSN. If they wanted they could say “I don’t like people so no more PSN” and they are legally allowed since we do not own the PSN in any way shape or form.
Games are a little trickier but they can still get around that by putting “requires 3.21 system firmware” on the box.
Paying for PSN…
Yet another feature that would change from the Marketing selling point at the Core of the PS3. It was marketed as FREE.
I will NOT be doing this either.
i have a few questions
1)is there a possibility that they COULD have put the option for other os in the slims and not say anything?
2)paid psn is coming sooner or later, whats the big deal lots of people on here have said “im going to 360” on 360 if you want party chat or netfix or raidio, facebook,ect you have to be on live you want cross game chat or party chat you have to be on live. and the xbox is worse than 360 they tell you nothing …. just do it i know i own one they even faild with the MW2 dlc yesterday it took hours to fix so…… MS is no better than sony at the moment and no i dont agree with what sony is doing, but at least they warned us before they did
i DO feel “safer” when Sony removes features from a product i paid $600 for..
As safe as someone can when a gun is pointed at their head..
Dito with not paying for PSN.
it is very simple Sony, I purchased an item with many features, like online Gaming and Linux.
Now you say I have to choose: drop online or linux!! and that is fine because I am allowed to choose which feature to lose??
I paid for both features and I want them both.
This can’t be legit, no matter what your “end user agreement” sais!
@N_8_
Thanks that does explain it better. Yes there are tons of security checks they could implement. Which makes it seem strange they go this far for something software could take care of.
I agree it would be better for Sony and for the PSN “public” to simply BAN the console.
Anyone who preaches security over freedom doesn’t realize what country this is. Let me be clear i do not support hackers or custom firmware. however this feature being removed does nothing for the system’s security itself. what exactly is it that sony is trying to protect. if i should choose not to update i better still be able to play online. if not there will be a problem. sony would then be performing an illegal action and i will not allow it.
paid psn would not affect the FREE online it would simpily add more stuff such as hulu,netflix(with out disk),facebook,and other i think cool features. dont knock it till you see what they offer,…..way better than xbox
@improperlyaged If you don’t update your Internet Explorer it isn’t disabled, but it eventually becomes buggy as newer features aren’t supported. If you don’t update to the latest PS3 firmware it isn’t disabled, you may still be able to play some of your old games but future games may not work because the codebase has changed. Same thing. Updates keep your system up-to-date. I know that last sentence sounds redundant, but that’s what it’s supposed to do.
@sickcivic1997
“1)is there a possibility that they COULD have put the option for other os in the slims and not say anything?”
yes, you can always add features after the fact. you cannot remove features that were advertised as a means to entice people to buy a product.
2)I don’t know what the deal with people saying they are going over to the 360 is, not like MS is any better, actually they are much worse. I think it’s just because people are pissed.
@twin If they do not alert you that games require certain updates, then you are entitled to a refund for that game. It is usually printed on the box. If you download this update and your God of War 3 game stops working? You are entitled to a refund. If …Ok I cannot even think of a worthy game coming out within the next 6 months…if say Modern Warfare 3 comes out and it doesnt say on the box that it requires 3.21…and you try to use it while still running 3.15…and it doesnt work. Refund. Trust me, they will be careful with how they handle this.
If anything I do not think any games will not function at all with this update. The only thing you will not be able to do is play parts of games that require PSN access. As I said before, Sony owns PSN and they can legally do whatever they want with it. We have no say in that whatsoever.
@epic
dude do u read anything at all. that is the problem. if i choose not to update sony cant block me from accessing their network. they agree to my usage of it by posting PSN access on the box. it doesnt specify that i cant use it without the latest firmware. also they dont have the right to restrict form downloading game patches for my older games. these are clearly illegal practices.
@EpicNotion
“It is my right to post where I want, you do not have the right to tell me I cant because that is a violate of freedom of speech. CWUTIDIDTHUR?”
LOL. Um dude, you don’t read news papers do you? Some tool sued Sony over freedom of speech. The judge dismissed his case because the PSN is a commercial product and freedom of speech is only valid on public owned places. This isn’t public owned. Your right to free speech does not apply here.
Still post what you want, doesn’t bother me.
Hey Epic, after they butcher wifi, the browser and who knows what else because they’re either too lazy or too incompetent to PATCH their system, what will you say then? You think some savvy hacker can’t find exploits in those areas?
Early adopters are getting screwed over some OBSCURE crack that requires soldering, which BARELY ANYONE would even do! The next exploit found could in be a feature EVERYONE uses and if it gets butchered instead of patched, I’d like to see what all the Sony supporters say then.
Sony really doesn’t give a *beep* about customers, just their money. Their actions with SEVERAL products have shown that!
Warhawk is online only, and it definitely DOESN’T say that it requires 3.21
“By making it more secure, you are alot safer and time and resources can be spent on better features.”
How does downgrading my system make me safer?
I just called SONY 800-345-7669 and talked to a rep named Stephen. This is NOT A JOKE. This is for real and the rep gave reference to “vulnerability” (i.e. the hack.
As an early adopter I am infuriated at the notion that I paid twice the amount to own the best console out there and now SONY is abandoning me.
Wow, what a way to treat loyalist.
-Mark
@EpicNotion
“It is my right to post where I want, you do not have the right to tell me I cant because that is a violate of freedom of speech.”
NO. IT IS NOT YOUR *RIGHT*.
Posting on web forms isn’t covered by free speech, especially if that web form is owned by a person/company.
sick civic
1) There is a very very good posibility that OtherOS is built into it, Because it has been in All firmware up to this point, but is being blocked by the Software checking what version of Hardware it is running on. Sony, in their blind rage, has given fuel to the hackers that will try to open up the software lock on this feature, and then ALL PS3’s will be able to run OtherOS. Sony shot themselves in the foot.
This is how the iPhone OS is able to differentiate between knowing that it is running on either an iPhone, and iPod Touch or an iPad. It is just a software switch waiting to be flipped.
2.) Microsoft, Apple, HP, ACER, Dell, or any other Computer manufacturer, (even Sony Computer Division) Have ever locked a user out of a partition with personal files on it that was a completely legal process until it was shut off.
Hell, i want my PS3 to be all it was when i bought it in March 2007. I want it to be what it was when Sony replaced it because of the issues i had when GTA4 was launched.I want it to be what it was when i updated that replacement console.I want it to be what it was when updated it with the last FW update.Until this point it has grown to be more than it was before.
Now with this and no confirmed date on the 3D upgrade,my PS3 will be a dimished game console……A console that is sold by a company that got punked by Bill Gates.
A console that i just may very well replace with an XBOX 360 just so i play the other GTA games that Gates punked all PS3 owners out of…I swore that i would never buy an XBOX because of that very reason.But now, i will seriously reconsider because of this [DELETED].
If i didn’t know any better,i’d swear that the cable TV people had taken over Sony’s customer service department.