Companies loooooooove closed systems they control.

Usually when Sony/Microsoft pull off dickatry like this, I can at least see what they're getting from it. But this just doesn't make any sense. What exactly do these "security concerns" consist of?

@PatriotSnake

Is that what this is about? Seems to me like they're making a mistake. PS3 hacking isn't nearly as widespread as PSP hacking. In fact, PSP hacking wasn't really all that widespread either until Sony started directly addressing the hacks in their updates and it was perceived as a challenge that hackers were more than happy to step up to (and so far, they've been painfully successful at it). I don't think the PSP's hacking issues would be where they are today if Sony hadn't engaged with the hacking community like it did. They were just kinda asking for it.

@Brian Slaughter
No, I agree that for the hugely overly vast majority of PS3 owners, this actually really doesn't matter at all. I just didn't know what Sony stood to gain from it. Now I guess I do, though it looks to me like a bad idea.

*shrug* doesnt bother me. I was thinking of toying with OS on the system, but now that I wont it wont really kill me. It'll just give me one less thing to toy around with i guess.. *shrug*

This is more harmful to researchers and the military than anything. A lot of large groups use the PS3 for cheap supercomputing.

@robo - they can avoid the update. They're writing their own code anyway. Why would they need Sony's OS and firmware ups?

@roboleader,
i'm sure any group that uses the PS3 for those purposes could just neglect to upgrade their firmware... i mean, it's not like they're going to care about not being able to play Killzone 3 when it comes out.

i could really care less. but i can see how some people might be upset, especially since it's one of the unique features of the PS3.

Removing functionality now instead of just usability for the sake of piracy?
This is getting ridiculous.

Uhhhh...why does this matter again?? Nevermind, I don't want to hear the story of how 67 people out of Sony's 30 million + userbase need Linux in order to survive with a PS3. Gonna go ahead and file this under "Not An Issue."

Frankly the trust of third party developers is more important to me and especially to Sony than anything OtherOS users do or think.

They basically sent a message to pirates

Sony: If you want to play pirated games don't upgrade your firmware yet. Wait for the obvious hacks!

Thing is even if you wanted to pirate a PS3 game they are huge.

@Netnavi: People without their PS3 online go here: http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm on a PC. Also, yes games ship with a copy of the minimum firmware required to play them on the disc too.

Sad news, at one point SONY were even unlocking parts of the hypervisor so that we could have a stabler, faster linux experience.

That being said, I only installed it as a test, and whilst impressed, I still use my Laptop more. I wonder if the update will allow us to reclaim our 10gb partitions? Probably not.

Incoming Wall-O-Text, TLDR version below.

Geoffrey Levand from Sony previously said this:

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.

http://lists.ozlabs.org/pipermail/cbe-oss-dev/2010-February/007202.html

It goes to show how much you can trust the word of Sony.

I understand I'm in the minority when it comes to using OtherOS. It is definitely not useful for much at all. I do use it every now and then, however. Installing it in the first place and getting it to work in a semi-useful way was a bitch. Now I feel like I just got kicked in the nuts. Now I have to decided whether to install the new system update and lose OtherOS (and all that time spent in vain), or not upgrade and lose my ability to log into PlayStation Network. Lovely.

I suppose this is somewhat my fault, I could of have not installed it in the first place. After all, the PS3 is first and foremost a gaming system. However, they used to brag about how you could install Linux on it, and that how powerful it was (a lie). Removing a feature after you have bought and paid for the console is wrong, in my opinion. It should have never been introduced in the first place.

I imagine they are doing this to prevent more hacks/prevent piracy. I seriously doubt that this will prevent it altogether. It's not a matter of if, its a matter of when. This isn't going to stop the people who are trying to bust the PS3's innards open. They simply won't upgrade their console. Perhaps they will find something else to exploit, causing Sony to remove another feature? Today, its OtherOS. What if someone found an exploit with the way the PS3 plays movies? Would you let Sony remove the ability to play DVD's and Blue-Ray movies? After all, it's a game system -- how DARE you want to do anything else with it.

Yeah, I know, I'm in the minority. But, still, it should make people upset when someone removes features from something you have already purchased. I hope they don't remove more features from their console in the future for the sake of their protection.

TLDR version: It's a dick move to remove a feature, after saying you aren't going to remove it. Actually -- it is from anything you've already bought, period. I hope they won't start removing more features in the name of protecting their console, instead of patching the holes. This isn't going to affect a lot of people, but what about next time?

This kinda makes me realize the expense of having our consoles hooked up to the internet. Sony flips a switch, removes a feature our dollars purchased. They say when and where and we don't really have a choice in the matter.

Thanks a bunch geohot...ya dick.

"slated to hit PlayStation Network on April 1st at midnight "

April fools?

Ps3 "It doesn't do everything"

Not familiar with PS3 firmware update protocol, since I don't have a PS3, but none of the other updates on the blog say anything about time zones regarding updates. April 1st, JST?! Nothing suss about that, surely.

@Cynical. It's true. What are they going to take next DVD compatiblity.

IT DOES EVERYTHING...we'll, it did.

Sad penguin is sad.

to everyone saying "who uses this anyway" - I DO - this pisses me of beyond belief if this is true. Digital distribution makes it so we don't even own the games we buy, and now we don't even own the systems we've purchased?

It'd be like you bought a new sportscar with a 350hp engine. 4 years later, the car company decides the car is too fast and dangerous and implements an "update" to it so that it can now only use 200hp. Of course its optional, but it is if you'd like your car to start the next morning.

Shame Sony, shame. My PS3 is now a very large paperweight. God of War 3 was worthy of a playthrough. Heavy Rain was a dissapointment and UC2 just is not my type of game. Playing around with the system is really all there is left for me. Guess I will return it to Gamestop saying it didnt work and get a brand new sealed one. Then SELL SELL SELL!