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)
I qoute SONY!
“Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
the support for previously sold models that have the
“Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will
not be disabled in future firmware releases.”
I agree with dedrater32. I think we should be able to return the console since we are losing something that was advertised. If Microsoft did something like this there would be anti-trust suits filed by the end of the week. If Sony would give us something in place of what they took I’d be OK with it as long as the majority of people agreed.
what are they thinking what’s next make our ps3 only play certain movie or w/e other software when advertised otherwise. Yes I did update yes I do have a 60 gib PS3 that had that feature I did install linux in the past but removed it due to the lack of HDD space. You guys will tell me hey but just don’t intall it oh really then I loose subscription to the like of Qore certain games that Require to be connected on PSN Blu-ray playback etc… I hope Sony is ready for what it’s comming at them.
Hi Sony
I was horrified to see you now went through with the stupid plan, as feared. I hope all the apologists here who were like “Oh you’re so stupid, it’s an April’s Fools joke” now regret it!
I haven’t installed the update, but now there’s a bunch of services I can’t access on the PS3. I would have bought the Heavy Rain DLC but that is rendered impossible now as I can’t access the store. I also can’t sign into PSN.
To Sony: What a horrible company you have become. I can’t believe this is happening. To remove features that the customer paid for is a very lousy way of treating your customers and probably illegal too. I will never buy any product from you again since you are clearly a deeply untrustworthy company. I hope in the future you will have a hard time getting any developers to support and develop for your products, seeing that you may just shut them out of their development systems at will.
I’m going to pursue this case to get my full purchase price back and that will be the end of it, and it will be final Sony product and I will tell everyone I know this story whenever they are considering buying a product from you. Seriously, I had expected much higher ethics from you.
i am *not* upgrading. i’m also definitely interested in what geohot is up to now, whereas a week ago i couldn’t have cared less.
keeping my eyes out for any litigation against you too, sony! would *love* to join up! you don’t get to steal what i paid for like this!
Yeah the EULA is a tricky sticking point on this issue. But the thing is with this update you are forced to choose between major functions that were included with the PS3. Therefore you cannot actually decline the update, since declining means crippling almost everything the PS3 does.
i.e. declining means your system will no longer support psn, many games, many Blu-Ray titles, and so on. Declining the update means that you will have a box that does nearly nothing it was advertised that it could do. This I’m most certainly sure is illegal in the EU and probably illegal in the United States, and if not specifically illegal in the United States there is plenty of legal precedent for a class action lawsuit.
Sony You Suck. i have followed your instructions and This has forced me to format my hard drive. I use my ps3 as a music server and i have lost ALL MY MP3 music.
How can they get away with dissabling a function they sold to me and that i have paid for.
SONY: Look at your back …
EU Civil Code, Article 1641
The seller is obliged to guarantee in respect of hidden defects of the thing sold which render it unfit for use for which it was intended, or that decrease this use that the buyer would not have gained, or not would offer a lower price if he had known.
4500 posts and not one F****** word from sony . . .
pitiful
dear sweet sony, you went from being a cool new hot girl friend who i liked to spend time with, to someone i dont know if i trust anymore. maybe we should start seeing other people. remember, i choose who i spend my time with. i choose who i spend my -money- with. it was mostly fun, we can still be friends.
Now, contacting General Directorate for Competition, Consumer
and Fraud …
use the information and write / call / email SONY customer service and your nations consumer protection agency. If you dont let let them know, who will?
Way to suck more sony. An it’s april 1st this sounds so dumb it has to be a joke…
Oh wait Sony takes features out of the ps3 all the time so you cant use them never mind it is real.
Like there is zero reason the slim ps3 can not run the software ps2 emulation some other models use but they took it out anyway to be bastards.
What the hell is going to happen to my 10gb of space I was using for linux? Is sony just going to let it be wasted on every ps3 that gave a 10gb space partition to the other os?
Ok, I’m online and I’ve not updated ;-)
Check out Logan5’s tool.
www . youtube . com / watch?v=jwHEHSmEx7M
It’s a fix for now but I bet they’ll figure a way of stopping it but until they do!!!
Basically any proxy server should work good luck.
P.S.
SONY I hope you can see where this is going!!!!
Even though I can still watch blu-ray movies I have to do it not signed in. I declined the update because it’s wrong to sell something then take away a feature you paid for. Now I’m stuck with a console with very limited functions. I will also pursue this to get my money back. As thiim82 said, “Seriously, I had expected much higher ethics from you”. Ditto. I see Sony in the same light as Toyota now. They are both ethically challenged and deserve to lose truck loads of money on a daily basis. Once you lose respect it’ll never be the same again. Later Sony!
@ dedrater32
THis is taken from the facebook group “Against the PS3 Firmware 3.21”
The [Install Other OS] and [Default System] features have been
deleted.
Other
• The playback quality of some PlayStation® format
software that is downloaded (as a purchase or for free) from
PlayStation®Store has been improved.
• A security patch was added to address security vulnerabilities that
may occur when playing MP4 format video files.
It’s indeed real; I updated a few minutes ago. I does exactly what the description says, nothing more, nothing less.
[DELETED] THIS [DELETED] SONY
for one i dont use other os BUT nether do i want the ability to if i so wished taken away at least add SOMETHING browser update would be nice or at least updated flash to the standard most websites require also the ability to play deadfrontier.com would be in lack of a better word JAMMIN
Sony cannot say it but:
###########################################
This is not a Security Issue, it is a Piracy Issue
###########################################
Just so all of you know the reason this patch had to be released, George Hotz managed to hack the PS3 by exploiting the Other OS option on the old PS3 (check his blog). This could lead to PS2 emulation and the capability to run pirated PS3 games and game backups. This is not what Sony wants, and to be honest I understand them.
Imagine, the company is struggling to justify the cost of the license to game developers and one of their arguments is that whatever you develop for our system cannot be pirated. Well that argument just vanished! The solution? Remove the option that nearly no one (let’s face it) is using.
Marketing wise, this was badly done, but that’s not the first time Sony will face the criticisms of some drastic decisions taken by the top management.
Maybe this would have been better received is they had combined this with some improvement (browser update, PS3 Move, change XMB to XBMC) It’s their strategy and I am just a bit sad to see that we get a feature removed because someone opened Pandora’s box and they are not happy about it.
I would expect this kind of crap from Microsoft/XBOX idiots, not Sony!
I paid $50 US for my YDL and have not even been able to find the time to install it, and now Sony is going to make it useless? Hey, how about a refund here!
I’ll hold off on the update as long as I can, but my teenage boys will not wait very pong, as they both are hard core MW2, BC2 online players.
I’m still hoping this is a joke!
I predict a lot of cash backs from shops that PS3’s were purchased in the EU.
The item is unable to meet the use for which it was sold. (article 1641 of the civil code).
The buyer can either withdraw from the sale or gain a refund or keep the item and get a reduction in the price. (article 1644 of the civil code).
*Sony*
“HAHA – You thought you had a system that was super powerful and would let you install linux? APRIL FOOLS!”
We don’t mind if it’s either for piracy issue, or security issue.
Sony sell a Home Entertainment System which is a gaming station and a home computer.
With this update, our Entertainment System is only a gaming station or a home computer.
Sony steal half of the PS3 from their customers.
And for the EULA, TOS, etc …
They can’t apply the content of a contract if the user didn’t agree to it.
I didn’t agree tu the EULA terms of this update, this would say they can’t apply to me what is in this contract (Either removing OtherOS or PSN access). Or, as it is now, even if I didn’t accept the contract, SONY apply it to me to the fact I can’t access anymore PSN and all what is related to it (Play PSN buyed games (GT5 Prologue), Play games which need PSN (MAG)).
Now what do all the people who bought online DLC and games do since we can’t get online?
That’s what I see the class action suit consisting of.
this is really [DELETED].
stupid updat why don’t they work on partychat, like the xbox.
this aint a joke bro
You can’t take features away without crediting us back something, jerks. This should worry ALL customers. You might not use this feature, but you paid for it. You can’t just take it away because you’re too lazy to patch the security hole
The Wii has a flaw for homebrew with a save file from Twilight Princess. What if a PS2/PS1 save file has a security hole in it in the future. Are you going to remove BC from ALL PS3’s also?
This can’t be legal…
Sony – 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I really hope someone sues them for this.
ive waited so f****** long for a new update with new features and when it comes its bull s***.so what’s the next bright move sony huh?u f****** DI******* u suck sony u flippping suck.when is our next update around summer time?u bastards
I understand Sony’s move for anti-piracy reasons, but seriously, do you know how big these PS3 games are? They all come on Blu-ray disks which means they are at least 25gb.
I’m sorry but who would download 25gb of a game and put it on any hard drive. You can’t connect anything other than a FAT32 drive to the PS3, even if you use media servers you would still need to figure out how to make the PS3 recognize the ISO once you’ve taken the 4hrs transferring the file to the PS3. Moreover, could you really emulate a PS3 from Linux? Would you even want to given that the Linux is on a virtual machine on the PS3 and it would be running another layer of virtual machine to play the pirated game?
May be I’m just naive, but even if I was inclined to downloading games, which I am not because I am not an avid gamer, I just don’t have the patience for all the crap that would be involved in running a pirated PS3 game. Which I also do not see the point in pirating since PS3 games like most Blu-ray movies aren’t region coded.
Again I paid CA$500 for my PS3 80gb, the guy that hacked the PS3 took his apart, I am not going to start screwing aground with mine because I worked for the that CA$500
i just updated the system and it has no new flipping features.after months of waiting for an update,you give us 1 with nothing how is that meant to benefit the system.its like a teacher coming into a classroom and teaching the students absolutely nothing.if u get sued for millions im gonna pop champagne
how about doing an update that will fix the thousands of bum blue ray players you install in your systems…say,maybe starting at your factories.
i was expecting at least one ir two things from playstation.blog share,but no they gave us nothing.F*** all dat s***
@eeipcy
You are right, the release price of the UK PS3 60gb was £460 back in 2006-2007 the £/$ exchange rate was close to £1 = $2. This means UK owners of the PS3 60gb paid US$920 for their PS3. The same thing that was on sale in the US for US$400 and CA$500-600.
Sony really have not thought this through.
I’m downloading your dumb-ass patch now. And it’s making me sick.
Now how about giving us some real features, like cross-game chat.
Another way to continue using Linux and playing PSN games is :
Buying a slim system to play.
What you didn’t seems to take in count, is :
– You loose money on hardware selling. So you will loose twice money.
– I won’t buy again my games (As I always buy them on BR, because I’ve
understanded from long time PSN was a new method to steal money from
your customers). So you won’t make any money on this new system.
This will not stop me on putting you to court. You’re on a way loosing LOTS of money SONY.
FTC complaint number 2599****
Enjoy.
First they pulled the teeth by eliminating BC from PS1 and PS2,and now they cut it’s nuts off.Whats next,breast implants,bras and panties?
Since hacking is really the issue here and sonys action of dropping the ball n letting security or loopholes of systems fail,ie hacking the psp,at least they are tightening up some of their loose ends for us gamers who stick by sonys technology to change and revolutionise console gameing n keep it on the up n up for future things to come.Change is always evolution.It only does everything! Sony lets see some real features in next firmeware update……
@4689
Sony has never commented on these types of things, they basically couldn’t care less what the blog readers think.
How about giving us an replacement to XMB that does the basic stuff we would do on pc, like email, msn, word processing, spread sheats, programming etc.
At least if you are taking away the other OS at least give us an alternative!
@ 4715
It cost Sony more to manufacture a PS3 than they retail them for.
ellio theyre pulling your strings bro,dont be a puppet.say i sell you a car,who am i to tell you what kind of motor you can put in it?
hacking is a legitimate part of any system design. You stress test it to breaking point. Instead of doing this Sony should employ hackers to wind tunnel test their systems and help them design better security measures. If they did this from the outset or had this mindset, they would not need remove this feature now.
Sony is just about lining their pockets at the consumers’ expense!
This is to prevent hacking. Sony was trying to be very forward thinking with the whole “Other OS” thing to begin with. However with this dynamic comes the ability to create homebrews. Some are simple cheats. But others hurt Sony and other developers financially. With homebrews that allow the downloading of games rented from Gamefly to the hard drive, Videos that were rented to be kept from the PSN Video outlet. I believe that those that are super angry are the very ones doing this. They are upset that Sony has caught on and telling them to stop, load the new firmware and become honest.
its kinda sad that a feature of the ps3 that actually made the system superior got taken away. luckily i have 2 ps3’s and only really need to download the downgrade on one that couldn’t even use linux in the first place. never really used a diff os but i will be sure to take advantage of the feature now that it seems more appealing to do so. in a way i kinda feel like i got robbed but hey what can i do about it…..nothing.
Whatta heck are you doing, sony… you are being coward.
Fight GeoHot if you want a secure system, but NOT THIS WAY!!!
OMG Sony Failed Us Again I Was Hoping Something A Little More Better Than This, I See Why All My Friends Are Switching To Xbox And Here I Go Taking “Yall” Side..EPIC FAIL ON ME -__-
damn u sony, what an amazing update we have here, i should had buyed a xbox360 , at least gamers have rewards for their achievements, they have crossover chat, xbox bc, for the next gen consoles im going to buy a microsoft one, sony only cares to put money on their safes nothing more, but with actions like this theyre going to start losing a lot of followers, i paid for the OS and ive the ubunto on my ps3 ahd now ill cant use it anymore? what a s h i t y update, they should put it in their fat AS%#S , an update i would like to see it would be the PS2 BC, yes that would be great, ive buyed over 40 games of the greedy pigs and my 80gb dont run them, i hope that they make it up to us that buy their stuff, without us and our money theyre nothing, make it up or screw u sony