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PS3 System Update to Remove Secondary OS Support

The new firmware to be released April 1 will prevent Linux installation.

After Thursday, pre-slim Playstation 3 users can expect to see that the option to “Install Other OS” will be disabled.

According to Patrick Seybold, Senior Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media at Sony, the removal of the feature is due to “security concerns,” likely to limit future hackers and reduce the chances of pirated software from being played on PS3 consoles.

The PlayStation Blog goes on to state that users will have the option to not install firmware 3.21, though it will cause cut backs on other PS3 features:

  • 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.

Seybold also warns: “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.”

Updates on firmware version 3.21 can be found on Sony’s System Software Updates page as they are made available.


 

Comments

Our Take

Lukasz Balicki Staff Alumnus

03/29/2010 at 07:00 AM

PlayStation 3 it only removes features™. In all seriousness, I have never seen a console manufacture remove so many features other than Sony with the PS3. As much as I like my 60GB PS3, it's pretty extreme how much stuff Sony removed from the PS3 since launch.

Our Take

Sam Wakefield Staff Alumnus

03/29/2010 at 09:09 AM

I can see how annoying this change potentially will be for owners of the older PS3 units, though folks who own the slim model won't even notice a difference since they never had it to begin with. Having only had a PS3 since the beginning of this year, I'm not going to miss it but if I had a linux-running PS3 I'd be peeved.

A number of sources seem to think (and I am inclined to agree) that this is the direct result of the PS3 being semi-hacked earlier this year, by the same guy who hacked the iPhone. It's just as much a security concern as it is, if not more so, revenue concern with regard to potentially pirated games.

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