PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update

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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)

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7,437 Comments

  • I only use my PS3 for gaming and bluray discs, so this won’t really effect me. I know a few people who use the OS feature who this is REALLY going to upset. As in, people who bought a PS3 over an Xbox 360 based soley on this feature. I don’t really think that is good consumer relations, to release a product with a certain unique feature, then to just axe it out of the blue. What is next? Are you going to remove the ability of my old 60gig to play PS2 games? Now I am a bit paranoid and untrusting of what you are going to do next. Bad move.

  • Will you do anything to make it up to users who paid 600 bucks who bought it for that…one of its advertised features that you are striping out of it?
    We have to choose between playing new games and playing online or keeping what we paid for?
    Not too happy…

  • And Another I have Both the PS3 (60GB Version) and the (120GB SLIM VERSION) so it doesnt effect me at all :D

    I’d say Installing More Features After this is a BEST MOVE by SONY.. have to keep the ANTI-HACKERS out of this PS3 WORLD :D

    DOWN with HACKERS.. UP for SONY!!! Everyone NOW!!!!! DOWN with Hackers UP for SONY!!!!

    COME ON NOW I CANT HEAR YOU???? :D

  • Wait what does JST mean? Just Kidding Time? If this is a joke then that makes sense right?

  • It doesn’t make sense for you (SONY) to take away a feature that some of us have enjoyed since launch without even telling us WHY. And no, “security risk” doesn’t cut it. We need to know exactly what vulnerability will be fixed by removing “OtherOS” if you expect us to be on board with this.

    BAAADDD PR.
    VERY BAD.

  • @51…it’s Japan standard time most likely.

  • Lol there is no K in it anyways… :D

  • So where you just lazy and figured removing a feature would be just as good as adding cross game chat, Netflix in the XMB, the ability to transfer locked save files by PSN ID, and other social features would be just as good as removing a pretty cool feature like being able to install another OS?

    There better be some real improvements beyond this.

  • @53

    Why would they update us on JST? We are Amurica!

  • DON’T do that, Sony!! :'(

  • Once again hackers ruin things for the legit gamers.

  • So what you’re saying is this update does absolutely nothing of any use to the consumer…and yet you need an entire update for it.

    There is a reason why Ps3 is being hacked…and it isn’t because of Other OS installations. This update is pointless and an insult to what the Ps3 was initially supposed to be. Instead of a media hub, Sony has castrated the Ps3 into a run of the mill console, with no hardware selling points other than Blu Ray. GG.

  • This does not affect me, so I will DL the newest firmware when it launches.

  • For those of you that are mad, well that’s what you get for hacking the PSP and killing its software sales

  • there’s has to be something more than this because of the jump in numbers.maybe there’ll be some background code writting in the firmware for a later use…remember the sony survey with all the services in it? i think this could be it. the only difference is that would be “live” at E3 or after it…i only hope :0

    or maybe this is an answer for our crys for a new update LMAO!

  • First off does this add more Ram to the PS3?, how does this benefit the PS3?

    Secondly you’re not going after GEO but [DELETED] over the first people

    who got a PS3?????, this ain’t right. This Geo guy must be really close to opening up the PS3, I bet you removing this feature will mean nothing since these hackers GOT OTHER WAYS( they always do), so this removing features move will mean nothing.

    I never really used that feature but I know many out there
    probably do, so they are getting [DELETED] over badly here with
    this move.

  • Erm… Thanks??

  • If the effort is to make the system more secure, a better move would be to add more features like cross-game voice chat when throwing out updates. If you give people incentive to upgrade their firmware, you’ll get more people willing to do so.

    I guess I’ll be saying goodbye to my painfully slow install of Ubuntu 9.10 next week. :^(

  • This better be a joke, is this even legal?

    Your letting me choose between not being able to play online and play new games or removing a feature I use all the time as a software engineering student?

    This must be the worst PR move since E3 2006.

  • I sure miss the good old firmware updates. Nothing interesting lately.

  • Piracy (or the threat of) is why we cannot have nice things…..

  • So i guess the Warhawk servers are going to go down ow huh? Don’t they run on PS3 using Linux. Overall I think this is a very bad move by punishing early adopters who paid full price for the system to the lowest common denominator. What’s next? removal of ps1 and ps2 backward compatibility on the original systems?

  • Awesome, this means I’ll get a few gigs back on my hdd after installing this update, nice one Sony.

    *rolleyes*

  • This sucks, I have been using this feature since day 1, it’s the only reason for the past couple of yrs I have wasted my time learning about and how to use a linux based os.. I guess it was for nothing, I have also been planning to get another ps3 just so I could use my current 60gb ps3 strictly for the otheros. Looks like this update will be out, well before I can afford another ps3, Thx Sony!!!

  • hahahaha you almost got me there sony, great April fool’s joke! haha! You crazy guys. This had better be a troll and you’re not seriously stripping the linux feature out of my PS3 unless I plan on it being useless for games -_-

  • You have got to be kidding Sony. For right now I’ll assume this is an April Fools joke. But then again, one of Sony’s favorite things to do is take away features.

    “It only does everything… until Sony takes it away.”

  • Are we getting info about the ADDED features before the system software update goes live? Or should we just wait and see?

  • Wow, every time Sony starts to head in the right direction, they do something totally stupid to remind us of why they are currently sitting in 3rd place this generation. It’s like you guys decided you were just too good from 1995-2005, then decided to piss off your customers time and time again because you were sick of being awesome.

    This is pretty much the only console in history to see constant downgrades in features. Time for some staff changes at SCE!

  • DOWN with HACKERS.. UP for SONY!!! Everyone NOW!!!!! DOWN with Hackers UP for SONY!!!!

  • You finally give us a firmware update and you give us nothing but this junk? Where is the meat? Where is something good in all this?

    What a rip…

  • Linux usage was a big selling point for me when I shelled out $599 for a PS3 back in April of 2007, one of the systems’ lowest selling time periods. Sony keeps talking up customer loyalty, but keeps taking away the features that earned our loyalty. First you remove PS2 BC from new systems, and now linux from all of them??

    I’ve been following the hack news, it does nothing! This is a red scare if I’ve ever seen one. Good luck getting me to support Sony when you’re down next time.

  • Yes! Just an April fools joke!

  • I’m currently developing my thesis whith the other os function and i still want to be able to update my system, is not fair and even not legal to stop supporting some functionability that i payed when i bought the system. If necesary i want my money back or i will sue you.

  • SONY CAN YOU HEAR ME???

    MKV, .MOV, .FLV, WMV 7,8,9!!!

    DIVX 7!!

    Give this to us already!

  • Oh, so I pay $700ish (CAD) for my PS3, and you remove one of the features I use?

    Yeah, I don’t like this.

  • Are you serious Sony?!!?

    Linux was one of my favourite parts of the PS3. I still run Yellow Dog Linux and absolutely love the experience. It transformed my games machine into a full-fledged computer. Dammit Sony, what are you thinking? I love this feature, but I NEED to go online.

    This is utterly embarrassing and repulsive. No I’m not going to be immature and say I’m switching over, because I’m not. But this is a huge let down to me and the entire linux community.

    When I purchased the Playstation 3, I was buying the feature. I am entitled to the feature, as when I handed over my hard earned $600 on launch day after several hours in line, I was excited about installing linux. A feature I PAID FOR.

    I will be consulting my lawyer and investigating further options as this is just unacceptable. Sony, you have lost your way with the community. Not letting me use online functionality because I would like to use a feature I PAID FOR is completely ridiculous.

  • So we pay for the feature, for those of us who aren’t doing anything wrong with it, we’re being punished? You’re even going so far as to not letting us play movies and games that we buy because YOU gave us the option to do something, because YOU were cocky and arrogant and thought the PS3 was ‘unhackable’?

  • Wow your first update in a long time and you take a feature away one that no one uses except hackers damn sony do something useful

  • “So i guess the Warhawk servers are going to go down ow huh? Don’t they run on PS3 using Linux”
    No, Warhawk servers use Warhawk software, and any Warhawk servers that used Linux are actual servers, and not a PS3. Even if they were, it’s all Sony owned and operated so they can easily get a PS3 with this update but still allowing Other OS.

  • thank geohot for this :)

  • Please Add Cross Game Chat and don’t charge for it unless you want pitchforks and torches at your front door. I’m fine with this update, i didn’t use another OS on it anyway.

  • wow just wow, why 3.21, u skipped 3.20. Anyways this update is a waste.

  • This is for real guys!

    This is no April fools joke!!!

  • Here’s the person to thank for this:
    http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/

  • Stop moaning at Sony. You should be moaning at the hacker who claimed to crack the PS3. It is people like him that force Sony’s hand. I want my PS3 secure. So condemn the right people.

  • UNACCEPTABLE…

  • i really don’t think this is a April fools joke but the wording of the first sign in note seems fishy. i hope they never take out preexisting options that aren’t breaking the system but i guess hackers would be breaking the system.

  • Sony, you’re so full of [DELETED]. I support y’all to death, and you do crap like this. Counterproductive.

  • R.I.P. Ken Kutaragi

    Cue the class-action suit in 3…2…1…

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