Post by Dan @ 10:44am 30/03/10 | 24 Comments
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.You can view the complete release over on the official playstation blog
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.
The announcement is undoubtedly a thinly veiled attempt to curb the recent hacking attempts of George "Geohot" Hotz, the Internet hero famous for his iPhone unlocking efforts who has recently been making some progress in the quest to get unsigned homebrew code running on the PS3
Of course the change won't affect owners of the newer slim PS3's as "Other OS" support was never made available for them (despite there being no technical reason why it couldn't have been), but this news does come after Sony had already reportedly confirmed "that at least the feature won't be removed from older models which are already working"
From Geohot's blog:
The PlayStation 3 is the only product I know that loses features throughout it's life cycle. Software PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and OtherOS support are all just software switches you can flip. It's unbelievable you would go and flip one, not just on new boxes you are shipping, but on tens of millions already in the field.It's a disappointing move no doubt, but it's hard to blame a company from protecting their interests when the majority of their users probably don't know or care about the features being removed.
Console modding is still a very legal grey-area and despite most people feeling they should have the ability to do whatever they want with the technology they own and some laws that actually outlaw things like region-locking devices, many countries (including Australia) do restrict the sale of some of the equipment and software required to perform such unlocks. The reason being, that unlocking for other software unfortunately due to it's very nature also enables piracy.
For PlayStation 3 owners that want keep their future modding options open, Geohot is recommending that you do not update your PS3 console to v3.21 when it is released. This will of course mean that you won't be able to access the PlayStation Network, access any of the new features they provide in future updates or play any future titles or Blu-ray discs that require the later software version. That is, until the hackers figure out a way to get upgraded to v3.21 without losing the OtherOS functionality.
Who knows though, perhaps it's all just an elaborate April Fools joke.
Latest Comments
24 Comments
Show
Follow Us
Advertisement
Log In
Posted 10:48am 30/3/10
I'm hoping it's some elaborate April Fool's joke, but I assume it isn't.
Posted 10:58am 30/3/10
This to me sounds really unreasonable if "Install another OS" is a listed feature in the original product and they are removing it.
Is it compulsory to apply a firmware update to access online features on a PS3?
Posted 11:03am 30/3/10
Posted 11:04am 30/3/10
I bought it, its mine, I'll do whatever I want with it thank you. If you have reason to believe that in doing so I'm infringing on your rights then call the cops.
I'm considering setting up a PC in the lounge room as a "console" with x360 controllers. is there any way to run 360 games on a PC via emu, even if you can't go online? If I'm out of line for asking that here just nuke me :)
Posted 11:22am 30/3/10
Posted 11:26am 30/3/10
I love random stats, 69.8% of people agree!
Posted 11:26am 30/3/10
Posted 12:10pm 30/3/10
Do most PS3 players install other OSs?
As a PC owner I have installed other OSs in the past like Ubuntu but they have always been a short-lasting curiosity and uninstalled quickly.
Posted 12:23pm 30/3/10
Pre work for an April fools joke? This cant be true, say it aint so!
Posted 12:23pm 30/3/10
cmon trog let me let me let me :P
Posted 01:13pm 30/3/10
Posted 01:14pm 30/3/10
I just speculated on a time frame.
Posted 06:39pm 30/3/10
This should read: This is the real reason why the PC is the most versatile platform. They're not taking away your ability to play games on a ps3, they're taking away your ability to run another OS.
Posted 06:43pm 30/3/10
I saw in the Slashdot thread on this subject there is already talk of a class action suit against Sony, as this basically removes features from the console that were advertised when it was sold to them. I do hope it goes ahead; this sort of behavior should most definitely not be tolerated - changing the terms of the sale after you've already given them the money is really not a cool thing for a company to decide to do.
Posted 11:29pm 30/3/10
Posted 08:40am 31/3/10
Posted 08:44am 31/3/10
I've read a few articles about different places doing this, I assume they dont want to play online aswell on these consoles so they will be fine unless they update them.
They wont be able to buy any new ones though, but the new slims didnt have the other OS option anyway, and I dont think you cant buy the fat ones still?
Posted 12:38am 04/4/10
I didnt really have much of an option in the end. I've bought a couple of new games that had updates available and I wasn't able to do the update until the firmware had been flashed.
Sony just got a little more Apple'sh.
Posted 04:10am 04/4/10
Posted 07:17am 04/4/10
Posted 08:09am 04/4/10
Posted 01:06pm 04/4/10
Get a PC guys.
Posted 01:36pm 04/4/10
would b nice to be able 2 hax the ps3... would b massive download files for the blu-ray games tho.
Posted 05:45pm 04/4/10