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)
http : //www. youtube. com/watch?v=dGZfMhZQp5Q&feature=player_embedded
I’m in tears
“WOW SONY TOOK AWAY ANOTHER FEATURE I DIDNT EVEN USE”………….. And here I thought this was a gaming console. the way i see it is… If it didnt stop you from playing games then its nothing to whine over. Like if it even mattered that much. I didnt even notice that feature was there.
Good riddence
HAHA my comments are being moderated.
“WOW SONY TOOK AWAY ANOTHER FEATURE I DIDNT EVEN USE”………….. And here I thought this was a gaming console. the way i see it is… If it didnt stop you from playing games then its nothing to whine over. Like if it even mattered that much. I didnt even notice that feature was there.
Good riddence
—————————————————————————–
Do you know what I’d like to see them remove online chat I don’t use it it gets on my T I T S and it’s a complete waste of time.
Come on Sony get rid of online chat, do something usefull.
@John-Shooter – Video, Music, Photos, Web Browser – they are not games so I guess it’s okay for those to be removed, it’s not as if Sony advertised those as things you could do with the PS3… did they?
The most important thing about this is that Sony have removed a feature after advertising it as a selling point of the PS3. If they are successful in removing this feature and not offering compensation what is to stop them removing another feature – PS2 compatibility, the web browser, the ability to play videos….
SONY: Look at your actions : -2.07%
It’s just the start.
This better be an April Fools joke. I spent $550 so I could get backwards compatibility and the option to install Linux. I didn’t realize that it would turn into a privilege. I didn’t install Linux on my machine in an attempt to circumvent security on the machine put there by Sony or its partners. I just thought it’d be cool to run Linux on a gaming system.
I’m not going to go so far as to say I’ll never use Sony products anymore, but I’m certainly interested to see where they go from here. I’m not updating my system yet. Luckily for Sony, I don’t spend much money on the PSN, anyway.
If it gets any worse than this, then I have a PC in my room that can play most new games, and for cheaper, too!
And quit trying to threaten sony with a lawsuit………….. They sold you a gaming console not an OtherOS feature.
@Gigidy17
Nope ! The sold us an Entertainment System which is a gaming system AND a home computer.
Well i updated no going back now. I do wished they would have add anything >.<
hey giggy-
“ps3 a computer. it is not a games console.” -ken kutaragi
if you want entertainment Go to the circus
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
I bought a PS3 *BECAUSE* it allowed me to run Linux! How can you remove one of your original main selling features?!? Even worse, I sacrificed 10 GB off my 60 GB system, and now I won’t even get it back?
I use Linux AND PSN on my PS3, now you’re making me choose one or the other! Put this down as another complaint. I’m staying offline for a while, in hopes that Sony reconsiders and releases an update that restores Other OS.
PS: Gigidy17, click the link I posted above, they DID sell it as a Linux system.
The PlayStation [3] is not a game machine. We’ve never once called it a game machine
The PS3 isn’t designed to lean towards games. It’s not a computer for children.
-ken kutaragi
PPS: I had to spend 15 minutes searching this, as http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm still says 3.15, and today is April 1st. (PLEASE let this be an April Fools joke.)
@ IDDesigns
Who says they will? People are making this such a big deal that they get scared and start speculating and asuming retarded crap like this
why did they cut certain options before? to make it more affordable to the people that couldnt afford the 6 bill price tag .. end of story so the features that they removed before have nothing to do w/ this firmware update
I updated to 3.21 .. why? because i bought the ps3 for gaming and blu-ray support .. i tried the os feature but couldnt put up w/ having to dual boot back and forth when i wanted to game
And if you wanted a computer why didnt you buy one?…………ironic huh?
can someone explain in english what this update does coz ive got a 60gb ps3 and wanna go online but i dont want all my saves goin byby if that is what it does.
@Gigidy17
SCEA : Sony Computer Entertainment … Did you say SONY is the circus ?
@John-Shooter – You are right, they might never remove another feature.
The problem is that it sets a legal precedent – “it is okay for us to advertise a feature then remove it at a later point.” If they get away with it then there is nothing to stop other companies doing the same – they can all use this as the precedent.
No im saying this gaming console they use entertainment system because anyone who gets to hear how much you guys complain over the removal useless features would be entertained.
As always, because you don’t use a feature, it is useless.
I don’t use Facebook, I don’t like sony adverts intrusion on my TV. It’s useless. Why didn’t they remove this ?
Die Sony!!
You killed my Linux
An Update that took MONTHS to release that only REMOVED features?
It would be one thing if they released new things with the removal of the OtherOS.
Cross-Game chat!
uumm sorry to tell you but that was not useless to me i was able to use it to get drivers for my computer whin the NIC drivers were deleted off my computer by someone the other os was a great back up for whin something went wrong with my main computer
@Gigidy17: I’m Sony, I think that the ability to play blu-ray movies on your PS3 is useless, so I will remove it in the next firmware. And no, you cannot complain.
I also just filed a claim with Better Business Bureau. Hopefully it will at least do something.
The issue here really isn’t the removal of the Linux feature specifically. Even though I use it I could live without it.
The issue is that Sony thinks it is OK to just remove any feature due to piracy or any other reason without even caring about how it impacts their customers. We were not asked about how we would feel if the feature was removed. We were not even told until this post that sony was considering to remove it. In FACT just months ago we were told the opposite at a press conference: that sony would continue to support other os.
It’s not just other os. Sony could decide to remove anything. It doesn’t mean they will, but they need to know that it is NOT OKAY. Because if we do nothing now then if they ever decide to remove a feature which is actually much more important it will be too late to do anything about it… and we will be in the same situation we are now.
Am I happy with my purchase? yes because im entertained by seeing for the first time how much sony fan boys actually whine trust me you guys live up to the hype Congratulation!!
And trust me or not : The PS3 which have been sold BEFORE the slim model have been sold as a gaming station AND a computer. With today’s update, we can have either a gaming station, either a computer, but not twice. How can sony take off half of the capabilities of the hardware I own ?
How do you want people NOT to support piracy and reverse engineering when you see things like that ?
I use primarly my ps3 as my home server, and occasionnaly as a game engine.
Thanks to sony great vision of security, I won’t buy any more games as I won’t be able to update the fw. I’ll have to wait for a custom FW, and I’ll remember this day for my future buyings.
A “Happy” Customer.
This do ye have to update if or if, I find it shameful, and that if my system is going well and I want to upgrade because you have not make me. Accepting agreements that would be totally illegal for minors. Well it seems to me that you have no shame in doing this, you are the worst.
SO I DONT EVEN WATCH MOVIES THERE HORRIBLE take away something i bought the PS3 for
I think they should somehow release a otherOS update to verified users and not with that BS “I Will not use this for copyright infringment” check box like limewire uses something way more secure .. that way everyone is happy
but even then i dont think we’ll hear the end of this for a while
next thing you know g4 will be bashing the ps3 over this
wow bruno. you’re a moron who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. you might be rich, but i didn’t spend £400 on a computer to have its capabilities halved. being able to install linux sold me into PS instead of xbox.
@Gigidy17 :
SO I DONT EVEN WATCH MOVIES THERE HORRIBLE
All is said … Sure poor pirated DivX look horrible. But BR-Disks looks very much more quality. We now know which one you are.
yeah funny shot in the foot i think, rather than prevent piracy, this will increase it as lots of users (who would otherwise happily use their systems as provided) move over to custom FW and proxy work-arounds. i know i won’t be updating
@Gigidy17
There are 4types of PS3 out there 60gb/80gb Fat, 40gb Fat, 20gb Fat and PS3Slims. If you bought a PS3Slim then you may have a point but many people bought PS3Fats, so your point is muted because Sony did use Linux to pedal PS3Fats, they even said use Yellow Dog Linux, and many Linux producers have released and provided improved functionality for Linux on the PS3.
The issue is not whether you used it or not or how significant it is or even what the PS3 is defined as, its about Sony categorically selling the PS3Fats with otherOS install and on the eve of the PS3Slim release categorically saying that this feature will be maintained in the older systems only now to turn around and remove it without providing owners of the PS3Fat any real alternative to what the removed feature potentially provided.
There are no such things as games consoles anymore you have home entertainment systems. Even the technically challenged Nintendo Wii is much more than a games console.
@SOGGY_DUCK
IF YOU HAVE OTHER OS INSTALLED (LINUX ECT.) THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO BACK UP BOTH…. OTHER OS AND PS3 SOFTWARE TO A MEDIA STORAGE (MEMORY CARD CARD EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE ECT..)IF YOU DID NOT USE OTHER OS THEN YOU CAN UPDATE WITH OUT BACKING UP YOUR PS3 SOFTWARE AND THE OTHER OS PART GETS REMOVED FROM YOUR MENU AND INTERNALLY…. BUT I MUST WARN YOU DO NOT GET YOUR HDD SPACE BACK
Stones666 you should’ve got a xbox….. it doesn’t have nothing but gaming capabilities ……you a Playstation user who’s complaining over the removal of the OtherOS feature would’ve been real happy
I have an 80gb FAT
Gigidy17 your a idiot
This is a farce. What Sony wants it? Pay for equipment with all its features.
and as I said you entertainment go to the circus or buy a computer
if i were one of these people that actually used this feature i’d just go buy a cheap laptop or pc and move whatever i had on my ps3 to a pc and move on in life
i damn sure wouldnt move to the xbox over this .. i honestly dont see a benefit in that
i wouldnt go anywhere near cfw either i never used it on my psp’s and im not even thinkin of using it on my ps3
YEAH XBOX IS REALLY A WASTE OF MONEY MY FIRST ONE RROD ON ME THE WARRENTY RAN OUT THE ONE I HAVE NOW WAS A GIFT FROM MY BROTHER. I SONT USE IT , ITS KINDA LIKE A BRICK FOR ME ICANT STAND XBOX THEY ONLY DO NOTHING BUT PLAY GAMES AND CHARGE YOU TO PLAY ONLINE WHATCH MOVIES AND WELL EVERY THING ELSE TO
@elr77
not to go off topic but
20gb ps3 fat
40gb ps3 fat
60gb ps3 fat
80gb (4usb port) ps3 fat
80gb ps3 fat
120gb ps3 slim
160gb ps3 fat
250gb ps3 slim
is more then 4 types
Seriously Sony, when are you going to release usefull updates for a change?
I’m still waiting for an update that will allow us to be on a voice chat with our friends while playing different games! Now THAT would be a freaking awesome firmware update.
And one more thing, I know a lot of people who don’t like their usernames anymore but they don’t want to loose all their trophies by creating a new account. So PLEASE consider an update that allows us to change our PSN ID’s, I think that would be highly apreciated.
YES I AM AN IDIOT AN IDIOT WHO LOVES GAMING AND CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A Computer AND A Playstation
@4819
If people actually care about losing a little digital trophy then they are nothing but a bunch of tools.
Invested well over $ 2500 for the PS3 console as an early adopter and now you are telling me you are taking away features that I paid for ? This is outright fraud!
This is no different than going into someones private property and stealing something they paid for legally. False advertising! Violation of consumer laws!
Already foresee a tidal wave of class action law suits on their way. Never again will I buy another SONY game console! This is an insult to all your loyal customers.
All at SONY involved with this decision SONY should be fired!