PlayStation 3 owners who are currently enjoying a different operating system than the one that shipped with their non-Slim models might want to prepare a few final words. Sony has announced that the next PS3 firmware update v3.21 will disable the console’s “Install Other OS” feature.
Sony's senior director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold posted on the PlayStation Blog that the feature is being removed for security reasons, adding that it 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.”
Should you decide to shun the firmware update on principle, here’s a list of features that you will no longer have access to:
- 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
I don’t know anyone who uses the “Other OS” option on their fat PS3s, but there have to be a few people out there who use it, and I’m guessing they aren’t too pleased with this news. Anyone here particularly enraged? Or could you care less?
Source: PlayStation Blog
Comments are Closed
Comments
Displaying 21–40 of 47
11233
BertSaxby
I have never used the feature, but I am not happy it is being removed.
and you can bet the 'security' they are concerned with is their own...not yours.
There are several Linux variants that run on the PS3, although performance
is complete garbage so not sure why anyone would want to do it anyway.
cpspoo
I only care in the context that features are being stripped away one by one. But as long as they keep PSN free and as long as they don't outlaw my 500GB western digital and make me buy an official 250GB PS3 hdd for $130 and as long as they don't take away my internet browser, I'll be fine.
Atavax
i bought a ps3 fat knowing of all the features that exist on it. now Sony is forcing me to give up certain features that i paid for.
you people are just a little to fan boyish, accepting any excuse for such behavior and gladly swallowing it. ofcoarse a company is going to have a reason to do everything you do. you as a customer should not expect a reason, you as a customer should expect the company to honor the service he advertised to you.
vinny87
Hey if you want to know why they're doing this read up on the psp. That's easily the best handheld out there but because of piracy they're making very little money off of it. The don't want that to happen to the PS3.
Intangible_Cog
I just reccently got a slim model so this doesn't really pertain to me; but I was wondering, if Sony keeps removing things from their console can they really claim the slogon, "It only does everything!"? By the way, I'm loving my PS3:)
T_Rexx
This is not a big deal...most people using Linux dont need to update, hence they keep the feature. And I think this is to combat piracy. Blame this on the people who open up the PS3 just to prove a point that finally after almost 3 years the PS3 can be hacked. At least SONY is being pro-active and taking the necessary steps to prevent as much as they can to combat this.
JustTheBeginning
I hate pirates so I am all for removing the pretty useless option, people who pirate should be thrown in jail for it is no different than stealing physical objects.
XFRod
I have to agree with most, I've never used it and, won't miss it. However, should they ever start blocking the ability to play my Japanese imported MahJong titles on an un-modded system, then I will cry.
Janline R - Best Online MahJong (Riichi) title, EVAR!
Atavax
xwing_5: sounds more like a 5 min talk on feedback to me...
weejifiend
I never understood the appeal for this other than "look what I can do!" The Linux on a PS3 was limited by the power of the PS3, and a HTPC can run any software/OS you want on it, if that's really what you're looking for.
Pwnproof
I could care less, wont bother me at all.
xwing_5
wootman: great question! Why is Sony taking away functionality? Sounds like a Sesslers Soapbox to me!!!
wootman69
This generations consoles have just been gaining more and more functionality. Netflix for all 3 systems? Awesome. Support for external drives (I know PS3 has it already) coming to 360? Nifty. Why is Sony the only one taking away functions from their system? First it was backwards compatibility, the flash card readers and SACD, now it's the option to use the "Other OS."
xwing_5
I remember that I allocated space for the"other OS" Me thinks that it was 10 gigs. I never installed another os on it but question: with these 10 gigs magically re appear on you HDD after the update?
XwingVmanX
To be honest I didn't even know that was an option. Not even really sure what the advantage to that would be, unless you use it as your main computer.
Atavax
as a PC gamer that is slowly feeling the pressure to buy and play console games, this is one of the occasional strong pushes towards the PC that has kept me primarily a pc gamer.
Zmeeds
I remember that article a short time back that a branch of the military strung a group of ps3's together to build a super computer. Will they be allowed to continue, or will Sony make exceptions in cases such as these?
Mike80602
What would you use the other OS for anyway?
JohnnyBuku
I never saw that as a selling point anyway. What's the point of having your game (and entertainment) system be able to run multiple OS's? I am sure there are a handful of linux fanatics that do derive some fun out of it, but for the 99.9% of the actual consumers of the system this is a wasted feature. Add to that the potential vulnerabilities and its a no brainer to get rid of it. This is a sign that $ony is realizing that they need to get as tight of a grip on their hardware and software as M$ has been.
I guess they will have to change their commercial tag line a bit: 'PS3 - it just does less things than it used to'.
... couldn't resist! ;-)
WISCO
Not a big deal for me.
I never used it and if it improves security on the PS3 I think it's a smart move.
PS1 & 2, Xbox & 360 and the Wii all have been hacked to play pirated games...
I'm shocked Sony has kept pirated games off the PS3 for so long.
Displaying 21–40 of 47
11233