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)
Well i hope SOMEONE at Sony is reading this blog…
everyone’s opinions counts
Epic, please take your previous pseudo : AspectOfLife !!!
Sony. I was really mad when I came home from deployment and my PS3 had a Yellow Light of Death. You wouldn’t fix it, so I had to. Then I was infuriated when one of your “System Updates” broke my BluRay drive. I fixed that. Now you are taking away one of the key features which sold me on buying a PS3. My advice was INSTRUMENTAL in the purchase of at least 10 PS3s by my friends. I’m in the military, and I’m a nerd. When people want to know what to buy, they ask me. I will NEVER tell them to buy a Sony product again. Sony has become a bad word from my tongue. I’ve had enough. Just think of what you’ll do to the universities who use PS3s to build PS3 clustered supercomputers. Used PS3 could change the world. Instead, you’re worried about losing a few bucks. Shame on you Sony. This loyal customer since PS1 (PSX) is NOT going to update. He’s going to box away his precious Linux-ready PS3, sell all his PS3 crap, and buy an XBOX 360, which ALSO has the only game I’m worried about playing: Tekken 6, because you were too stupid to keep Tekken as an exclusive. So disappointed.
I agree with Dbsguy. It’s sad when a company can do this. I could see if a company went out of business.
It doesn’t mater if you use the feature or not it was there when you bought the product and it should be supported like they assured us 7 month ago and said it would be supoported even though it was taken out of the slim model.
Sorry to say I would have bought a XBOX 360 if I would have known the feature was being removed. What next have a upgrade that doesn’t allow you to upgrade the hard drive on your PS3.
We have to stand up or they just walk all over you and by some of the post here I think some just enjoy being walked on. I would support others if they removed a feature you used. I very rarely use the blu-ray. I bought it as it was a feature I might use later or not. I wouldn’t call you guys cry babies if they removed the option to play them just because I don’t use it.
Just not right. We all have something in common like it or not we own PS3’s and we liked them till this update.
Damn you, Sony. If this is really true, I’m considering in selling my PS3 and all my games.
You are treating your consumers as a bunch of idiots.
So please, tell me this is a joke. PLEASE.
I love this “They ran it by their lawyers so it must be legal!” aspect.
Yep, you got us, no company in the history of time has ever done anything illegal, ESPECIALLY if there were lawyers involved.
Ok, everyone, go home– nothing to see here.
What you don’t understant, is that I will play PS3 all the time it take to the court to make their job.
What you pretend not to understand is anyway simple.
I buy a hardward which is a COMPUTER ***AND*** a GAMING STATION.
Tomorrow, SONY left me with only one of the two.
No need to stop to play. Judges will better understant than YOU
Like Infinitetree said, I’m NOT going to update.
sony bad call
there is always is going to be someone to hack you stuff. dont punish the group. and if some one wants it bad enough they going to get it. stop wasting your time on the little thing and focus on your devlopers. if the had the drive as these hackers your game would be make you enough money to cover the priates
oh hell noes!
No previous firmware update prevented users from accessing PSN without updating the firmware. I could have maintained the original 2.80 firmware that my PS3 came with and still downloaded demos and preview movies.
if Sony in doing this provided an alternative or options to enable users to do things that could on the Linux OS or even provided an alternative OS for PS3 fat users that did not allow access to the hacked part of the PS3 then that would be something, but they haven’t and have made no comments about providing this so to take out the “install other OS” and say update or don’t access PSN and know that new games and anything that requires you to login to PSN will or may not work properly is UNDUE INFLUENCE and DERES!
WOW how much is Sony paying some of the posters here who continually berate and put-down consumers who feel they are going to be slighted?
IF YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS TOPIC, DON’T REPLY!!!
why the heck do some sad people keep defending Sony on this post? Obviously some people are going to be affected by this, and to tell them to “get over it” is pathetic..
If you have no problem with Sony breaking their promises, why would you repeatedly post here?
Guys. Some of you don’t seem to understand what this is about… Let’s see…
Similar situation would occur if Sony would remove DVD movie playback feature from PS3 to ensure that Blu-Ray movie sales remain high. People bought PS3 to watch Blu-Ray movies and everybody has DVD player their homes anyway so it doesn’t matter if Sony removes DVD playback from PS3 with a software update.
Besides some people never did use PS3 to watch DVDs so it’s perfectly fine for them to tell others that they don’t need it because it was a “useless toy feature” which was “nice to have on board but didn’t really matter”. Besides some of these users already bought a PS3 which doesn’t have DVD playback feature anyway and they are wondering what’s all the commotion about it.
Hey everyone, at least apple doesn’t play the Cat & Mouse Game as poorly as sony does.
heck, when someone hacks the PS3, sony takes away features from the system in firmware updates because of it.
At least apple doesn’t do that’
Another problem is ethical one. I bought a device which has certain set of features and functionality. I paid a lot more than those whom bought PS3 slim model which didn’t have Other OS to begin with. I feel need to have some kind of compensation for my money. Small claims court seems to be the way to go here.
And still remains the fact that Sony LIED us that they’re going to keep Other OS functionality intact when they well knew that they where going to remove it soon. And they are misleading us when they told it was a “issue of security” when it clearly is just to ensure that PS3 remains that one platform which doesn’t have piracy issues. Unlike it’s competitors.
It’s too bad that my MAG career will be going to a long break but studying programming and keeping server goes before gaming. For a student like me PS3 was way cheaper and better option than next comparable system which costs $6000 and is manufactured by IBM.
good point AnXa!
i see it as the same thing..
@Epic
If you don’t update you lose the ability to play future games.
Yes, but SONY will own less money. So they will make less games, and so on.
Don’t feign not to understant.
And for the pretended ‘troll’ we put on you :
What are your args ?
– I don’t use so we don’t need ?
– They are SONY, so they have right ?
– You have choise of using either your computer, either your gaming station, but not twice ?
– HIHIHOHOHAHA Well done SONY
– And more like thoses …
You have no args, that’s why we stamped you ‘troll’
Anxa you are 100% right. If they removed something EpicNotion used he would be on here talking about how unhappy he is.
I have been involved in online communications for over 20+ year and this was before the net was even used and we had guys like this all the time just posting to get others going as they have no life and they get satifaction on fighting with people online as they are safe behind the screen and I have seen these people at get togethers and they change their tune quickly as they don’t have the monitor to hide behind.
This guy has shown he is one of those types and who cares what he has to say we can all feel sorry for this guy with no life.
Don’t let him get to you as this is what he wants as there is no excitment in his life but threads like this.
Geez. SONY still has not said anything?? Has anyone found anything out about Japan?
And for our sakes, stop back and forthing it with EpicNotion. If he wants to keep talking nonsense, just ignore him
@AnXa
I totally agree here. You can’t buy a comparable Cell Processor cheaper and the PS3 was a good place for hobbyist programmers and students to get their hands on a Cell Processor and get to tinker with this really cool piece of technology.
It sucks that we have to chose between functionalities when the sole reason we bought the system was to have a gaming console and a cheap Cell Processor to play with too. It’s not a matter of “just putting Linux on another box” it’s a matter of not having the cash to buy a Cell Processor system to tinker with.
@Epic
You’re right you don’t put logic in your arguments. Sony doesn’t care about you or me.
It started selling well because the price became affordable, not because they all of a sudden removed the Linux ability.
The problem is you have changed your view point a 100 times. You post what you think will get people raging against you. It’s great your are having fun. Nobody expect Sony know that they don’t like it. You like it, so your voice has been heard.
You are fishing for attention and the blog is giving it to you. Enjoy.
EpicNotion
Actually if this decision were published in the gaming and other media there would be much large out cry. The last thing Sony or any corporate wants is bad publicity. Especially given the way they are going about this!
For years I hated Sony and refused to buy Sony products regardless of how good they were meant to be due to an indecent with one of their old TV sets and buttons breaking. That was until the PS3 and what it provided. If Sony don’t reverse this decision or provide real alternatives I will not be going anywhere near Sony every again.
I don’t give a toss about brands or brand loyalty, I care about how a product serves my need or requirements Sony have just shown that they do not give a damn about their customers.
SOUNDS LIKE EPIC=FAIL LOL SHUT UP DUDE I HAVE IT, DONT USE IT, BUT DONT THINK ITS RIGHT TO JUST TAKE AWAY
Do not update from the use of our network or disk media, providing formal update data non-and we let you know how outside. When you update feature, body in an invalid state, behavior guarantees not only becomes eligible for after-sales service and warranty as well as.
GOT THIS FROM WWW. JP .PLAYSTATION . COM/ PS3/UPDATE/ KINDA MAKES NO SENSE TO ME
@Epic
“I just love the mentality on here. There are like 7 of you who have banded together and have some kind of e-comradary over this. Anyone that comes here with a different point of view or that feels that this update isn’t that bad is instantly labeled as a troll without even considering that they might have a valid point. You guys are blindly raging over this without even fully thinking it through. ”
Okay so lay it down in plain and simple English. What is your view point. Think it through for me. Seriously, I’d like to once see your entire thoughts laid out. Only thing I’m seen from you that I remember, and maybe I remembered it wrong, is the feature is worthless.
Let me add that if we don’t stop Sony now then who knows what they are going to remove next? Very likely things are www-browser and free access to PSN. Browser because it is a potential security issue and they just feel like it should go away. PSN because they add this one fancy feature less than half might use in future but since they feel it’s worth taxing people then they will do it.
@sick
I think it is saying if you don’ update from a Sony site with a Sony approved method they do not provide technical support.
@sickcivic1997 — machine translation will do that. (My favourite, and likely apocryphal example is ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ turning into ‘Blind insanity.’)
Since Sony has left me no choice but to use custom firmware from here on out on my PS3, I just updated my PSP. I’ll be trying out my first downloaded game very soon. I knew this existed for a long time, but I always used to be my games new. Not anymore. You steal from me, I’m stealing from you.
And Epic is at it again. Really, guys, ignore him. Don’t feed the troll.
IS WI-FI WORHTLESS,OR MUSIC PLAYBACK TO SOME MABE IT IS TO SOME IT IS NOT. SO ……. TO SOME THIS IS WORTHLESS TO IT IS NOT ME PERSONALY IT IS RIGHT NOW…… BUT WHAT IF I WHANTED TO TRY AND USE ONE DAY THEN IS IT WORTHLESS EVERY BODY ON HERE KNOWS THAT AND ASPECT THAT THIS IS TRASH AND IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ADDED BUT SOME PEOPLE (I.T PEOPLE AMUTURER GAMEMAKERS ECT) MAY NOT THINK SO. YOU HAVE YOUR RIGHT TO SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT IT AND SO DOES EVERY ONE ELSE
Our friends over at the European blog have over 1000 comments, and noone is responding to them either. I cannot locate the Japanese equivalent yet so no idea how theirs looks. We all need to rally and stay together on this to either stop it, reverse it, or if necessary wake Sony up. I LOVE my PS3, and I love Sony, but this one isn’t one I am willing to let go. Obviously others aren’t, and with this many people, we can infect a lot of other people with our ideas and opinions. Good news though Sony, there is still time to say you messed up, it was a mistake, and you will find another way.
I URGE people to not get nasty here, and also to not say what you do not mean. I know we are all mad, but we will get farther with good, logical comments, reasonings, and explanations as to how we feel this is unacceptable.
@Epic
Again if they removed something that made it so you couldn’t play games
This is exactly what they do !
If I don’t upgrade : They remove the option to play games.
If I upgrade : They remove option to use my os
In fact, they remove my PS3 EXPERIENCE !
@ Zepala If you don’t update, your current games still work. Its games from this point on. You can update, but YOU CHOOSE not to. They are not forcing you to not update.
I will be very disappointed if they remove this feature. I do not use it, but I would like to be able to one day. I thought this was one of the cool features that separated the PS3 from the 360. I will be outraged if this goes in effect, and twice as mad if they try to remove my backward compatibility.
Just as a show of hands, who reading this isn’t going to update? I won’t, because I need Other OS to use another OS, but I’m curious about others. (Not a scientific poll, etc. etc.)
Yes has someone started a online facebook page for this I lost where it was as this is a great network to spread this around like wild fire and the way to put it is what is next that sony can take away from us. We can sell this as what else can they take away from us after the OS removal. You could be next.
EpicNotion, you are missing the point. Some people purchased the PS3 because of the OtherOS function, we know it’s not needed to play games.
So whether it doesn’t run Linux as well as a 2007 computer doesn’t matter (according to you, some people use it for the Cells SPUs), they purchased that function and whether or not Sony’s EULA say they can remove it, it’s not the right thing to do by those customers.
I will not be updating, I am really hurt as I play LBP online to unwind after a day of work, but no I won’t be updating.
I want to not upgrade but I’m put in a hard place how do explain to a kid sorry you can’t paly this game because of what sony has done. I have no choice but I’m going to fight a long with you people that are pissed as I’m still pissed I have to make this choice.
No, if I don’t update, some games I buy won’t work.
MAG ? No need of PSN ?
All the PSN games I buy ? No need, sure ? Because they don’t start if I have no network ?
And the games I already have won’t play well, as I will loose network functionalities.
So stop saying all is well.
http ://www. facebook. com/group. php?gid=108684749155032
You forgot something in that list of questions.
Did OtherOS come built-in on the machine people paid for?
Settings > System Settings > Other OS
It’s tucked in a ways down, but it is there.
AnXa,
The simile of DVD playback or any mainstream application does not work well, because unlike Other OS, they’re not niche. OtherOS isn’t even a feature anymore in new units.
While your core point that taking out features post-sale is a low blow and unacceptable, whether legal or not, the Other OS issue is more complicated than that. Hardware manufacturers take any piracy related threats seriously. Just recently, MS blocked support of Datel memory sticks because of similar security issues.
If any hardware manufacturer has the option of lowering threat levels by merely “flipping the switch” like Sony is doing with Other OS, you bet they’d do it. I don’t necessarily like it but hey, it’s the real world.
Epic, I started nor pointed any of my comments at you, do what you will, I am not here to fight, but what I think you need to understand is a lot of us don’t make much money (I am a student, I’m 30 and I just barely make a living) but I bought it because as a computer systems student, the machine gave me the ability to try to code for a cell processor. That and computer students like me are just geeks, we like this stuff. I use it as my living room computer, it does Open Office, (like microsoft word) lets me program, browse with firefox, etc. We KNOW its not fast, we KNOW not a bunch of people used it, but I justified weeks of work to pay for mine because it did so many things, this being one. People are mad because if you use it or not, a big corporate entity should not be able to take stuff from you after you buy it. I don’t use photo viewer and other things, but they were part of my package deal. Now I’m not going to argue, nor am I going to spam up the blog here, but I wanted to give you the courtesy of responding because you called out to me.
The browser is a bit crappy too, should it be removed the next time there’s some supposed breach(which there isn’t)?
And your $400 machine will be reduced to a Slim. Nice of Sony to do that for you when you paid $100 more.
@thepatcat
I’m not updating. I like my Linux capability and I don’t feel like paying for the IBM equivalent Cell Processor.
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