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)
1-800-lawyers they specialize in car accidents, head injury, neck injury, domestic abuse, and class action lawsuits.
Well i dont about them blowing my head but i definitely like their bending us over :-P
Sorry that last comment should read
well i dont know about them blowing my head but i definitely fell like their bending us over.
If people could use the BlueRay Update Feature on the PS3 to hack into the System and Sony as a result decided to remove the Feature on the PS3 that allows it to play Blu-Ray movies, would this be a problem?
Personally I dont use the Other OS, or watch BluRay movies on my PS3. Irrespective of that fact, they are Features avaialbe on the system i bought, as such they should not be removed in this fashion.
This to me makes sense, can any of the naysayers explain in a rational non-flaming fashion why this logic is incorrect?
This issue has inspired me to utilize the OOS feature. I haven’t updated yet, but i will… maybe.
The problem is that sony started war against their early custommers. Those which have made advertising for their products. And for sure, we won’t be again early buyers of their products. We (At least ME) surely more be thoses who will tell not to buy again their products.
They can win by the law, but they have already lost by the reputation !
Quote
“The gamble is that the negative reaction and any legal sanctions down the road will pale in comparison to the imagined piracy they hope to prevent on the platform.”
But this action could also trigger the piracy on the plataform. it’s very risky to asume that removing OtherOS would stop the hack attems, I think the contrary it just gonna raise it.
Again, sponge-Worthy perfectly articulated what I’ve been feeling this whole time..
It really is a pre-emptive gamble on an imagined threat!
I could compare this to a recent military action, but that would be in bad taste on a video game blog..
And unfortunately no, I don’t know a good Class-Action Lawsuit Lawyer, but I am 100% sure if we keep our eyes open we will see there will be one we can group into, like when a medication is bad and people can retroactively join it if they fell within the stipulations of those affected by the lawsuit.
BUT I WISH IT DIDN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN LIKE THIS!
Like I said before, I really am a Sony Fan! I love my 4 Ps3’s, AND I love my Yellow Dog Linux! I just don’t feel i should have to choose between the two.
@4911
.. would not be surprised in the slightest! this is ‘security concern’ could definitely set the precedent for alot of unexpected/unexplained things in this, and the next, decade.
ok well i just got the word my little brother tried to sign in and he got the message that we have to update to sign in. looks like i will be on the phone with sony tonight when i get off work. they will either be letting me sign in or they will be refunding my entire purchase amnount of my ps3 ($540) as well as all 36 of my psn games my qore subscription and my 57 game ps3 library. time for the showdown to begin.
Anybody get the class action going?
I’m snapping some photos of the retail PS3 box tonight where it mentions OtherOS.
Look at the big M$, After some convincing (and some people buying new system) a lot of people eventually migrated to wonderful VISTA land… Only to find somethings missing that were standard in XP. Does anyone fax ? that is a PRO option in vista. But did MS come out with a patch to remove the FAX option from XP ? No they did not. (I am sure if they thought they could get away with it they would have). Now did all users use the fax option ? No they didn’t so the people who had vista did not care, as it was never an option for them. The people who upgraded where p1ssed but it was THERE choice to do the upgrade, and then there was the third group who knew they had a good thing with XP and stayed.
Loose Analogy
Fat BC ps3 = XP
Non BC ps3 = Vista
Slim PS3 = Win 7
You can say all you want about M$, but my point is M$ gave people a choice this is no choice.
As already said, there is chance that was what they want. Not for the PS3 be pirated and sell more, but simply because they hope the hack will be released soon (Surely before GT5 release, which is a big big value for the PS3) and coz they didn’t find where to apply the patch.
There is a HUGE difference between Homebrew scientists and Game Pirates!
We OtherOS “enthusiasts” just would like more unhindered access to the SPU’s to better conduct our work..
It is true, though, that most of my colleagues that have purchased the PS3 for real number crunching work don’t use it for gaming at all..so they couldn’t be bothered by the loss of PSN and future games..
But dangit I am!
:)
If you’re interested in doing some class action. You may want to research cases like the Amazon Kindle case and others of interest and find out who served as counsel on those.
Also, check your state bar website. You may get some good information there as to who you might speak with.
Personally, I spoke with Seeger Weiss LLP on the East Coast a while back concerning YLoDs and research they were doing for a possible class action regarding that. The associate I spoke with seemed very cool and knowledgeable, and while I cannot necessarily recommend their firm, per se, there’s no harm in giving them a call.
I Hope the PS3 user base gets divided into those who update and use the system as Sony intends and those who hack the fudge out of it and create a whole new homebrew/user-customized gaming system/PC. Other OS PS3’s could be what Linux is to Windows, know what I mean?
hell yes i am takin a pic of my system as well as my games and my psn games several of which require psn access just to star(pain for example) my personal battle starts now. i’m not letting some corporate monster walk all over me. my system my features. period. oh also for those of u still whining about teh eula and tos another interesting fact. by removing any feature from a previously purchased product they are in essence making it a different product which not only renders any and previous eula and tos agreements null and void but should slaso actually reinstate your original warranty for the full period as stated in the original manual and /or paperwork contained with it.
you suck sony. i just purchased a new hard drive for the very purpose of installing linux.
i want this feature back!
so you’re saying you want sony to start charging for its firmware upgrades so you can have a choice? firmware is free and you have a choice when you see the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on your screen. =D
askalawyer .com/
Dunno much about these kind of stuff but can try somewhere like that.
Poor Patrick Seybold, last FWrelated post was when 2.40 was killing peoples systems. The other guy was like ‘Hell no I ain’t touchin this with a 3.21 inch pole!’
oh sony my sony wherefore art thou?????
the company i loved is slowly dieing. first stupid dlc now this.
Someone Serverside IS paying attention to this Blog.
the post count dips several times an hour.
I am curious which posts are being removed.
Well I turn on my ps3 this afternoon and while I saw there was an update I went to go check wat it was. While it was updating I read threw these comments and I also was angry
what a fail Sony
Why is the # of comments going down? I’m waiting for it to hit 5000 dammit!
I already wrote to my local customer protection services, I keep you posted on what happens. I hope so much that we can sue Sony over this.
Yeah, I can’t help but think the normal blog posters knew this firmware announcement would cause the intarwebz to explode and didn’t want to post it.
@ Flukester
That rank chart is clearly for semi-conductor production, not overall revenue. You don’t see a powerhouse like MS or Panasonic there for a reason.
Sony sold most of their plants to Toshiba a while back, and are gradually stepping out of the business.
lol DLC isn’t unique to sony. welcome to the next gen of gaming.
> NerdRageQuit
If Sony blocks some features like PSN to update the firmaware, this is no longer optional.
2009 Rank
2008 Company Country of origin Revenue(million$ USD)
.. 10 7 Sony Japan (Japan) 4 670 -32.8% 2.1%
— hate to see 2010’s report lol SONY has not really been on top for a long time, obviously.. after mediocre PS3+PSP, personally will likely nvr buy another SONY console/product again. unfortunately.
because sony is moderating it to make it seem like less of an issue and remove links to consumer protection websites like the ftc and bbb
Oh Sony, not releasing drivers for XP when you were selling new hardware the same year it released, installing a root-kit secretly on my box, and now taking back a feature you printed on the box.
Your customer base is dwindling down to a few 400lb tolls pushing their hover-round scooters through their garbage strewn homes in search of inhalers… :)
Strike 3 with me kids. No more $$$ for you.
i find it funny its being monitored for moderation but not for responses
Seperate HDD for different FWs? Yes? No? Anybody?
No the firmware is on flash. Once you got it, you got it.
woohoo first!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ON PAGE 100 ANYWAY) SORRY GUYs and girls had to insert a little humor into it.
@AzaMcG
it doesnt work that way. the Firmware is not stored on the HDD. it has special flash memory built-in to the system for that. that way people cant do exactly what you were thinking of doing.
5,000 comments and Sony can’t even chime in to say “I’m Sorry”.
They are the ungrateful fat-chick of console gaming.
Of course they will remove posts. What do ya think? he’ll they’d nuke this who damn blog if they could. Where is the media coverage? where is the highlighting of consumer distaste? What do we need? Bruce Springsteen to say he’s pissed as heck that they removed this?! C’mon media outlets..It’s time the media channels start producing stories on this and interviewing owners for their feelings. I think it’s time to write a few publications for ‘what gives?’ answers. I’d personally like to highlight all the great things I did with linux on my PS3 before the feature was raped off my ps3. I’d like to highlight the magnitude of hours I spent using the OtherOS feature.
no the firmware is hardcoded into the flash memory. no matter what hardrive u use the firmware is the same.
hey, don’t worry, it is a a JOKE!!
The joke is that this is an “optional” update. As far as I know the mandatory updates lock the PSN access until you update… And this is optional because it locks the PSN access until you update..
got the difference? no? well…
day the earth crashes into the sun and the day an african american does an honests days work. Translation: WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
^ im a african american and i work my ass off everyday at work so before you get your panties in a bunch you need to get your facts straight
This link will of course not be removed – it is my first suggestion to the supreme PS3-Firmware (after first step with removing bad Linux):
https://share.blog.us.playstation.com/ideas/2010/03/31/remove-divx-and-mp3-support-at-next-update/
Sony have learned after the ps3 linux incident!
I did file with the state attorney general’s office. I took my packing in and showed them the “Other OS” feature listed on the box. They agreed that it is “inducement to purchase” and that a ToS doesn’t protect a a company from bait-and-switch.
They took my information, told me I was not the first in line, and there is already an investigation.
Cheers!
@darini
well actually some of us have i have filed a complaint with both the ftc and bbb and am wating til tonight when i leave work to start calling the offices of all the class action lawyers i just printed out.
This is an April Fool’s Day joke right?
I’m gonna give it another day or so then I’ll *Downdate*
i really feel this is sick how can sony pretend not to notice the near 5000 comments on the subject n at the same time moderate it for content. being in customer service myself i find this manner of treating ur consumers appalling and disgusting.
rather*