PS3 Firmware Update 3.21 = Bad News

[Ares]

PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update

Posted by Patrick Seybold // Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media

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.


Source: PlayStation.Blog

 

[darien87]

Yet more proof that Sony blows goats.

I had actually intended to install Linux on my PS 3 to use as a web browser since the PS 3 one sucks, but it was too much of a hassle. This really blows for the people that actually did this.

 

[Ares]

Yet more proof that Sony blows goats.

I had actually intended to install Linux on my PS 3 to use as a web browser since the PS 3 one sucks, but it was too much of a hassle. This really blows for the people that actually did this.

I installed YDL on it and before that Ubuntu, now having said that it seems that Sony is doing this to secure the system from hackers like George Hotz will it work who knows. I really don't care about the OS feature but I would like them to add more features instead of taking away the one's we have. So if it's possible to take away the Other Os feature through a firmware update anything is possible, here is my list of features I would like to see added:

1)Ps2 Emulator
2)In game cross chat
3)More in-game music support
4)Web Browser Update (FireFox preferred)
5)More codec supported

 

[Serj22]

I'm always skeptical of things that are released/fixed/updated on April 1st and weather or not they are real.

 

[Ares]

Sony never jokes about taking away features.

 

[GlocksRock]

This just doesn't seem like something that would be wise to do. The ability to install Linux on the PS3 is the reason Sony has sold thousands of units to the government and other organizations that use PS3 clusters as a supercomputer. Hopefully it's an April fools joke, but even if it isn't it doesn't affect me since I don't use my PS3 in that capacity.

 

[Ares]

I would think that maybe Sony has a way to make the ones that the government bought exempt from this, but I could be wrong.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I tried putting Yellow dog on my son's PS3 to see if It would make a viable replacement for him. It ran dog slow. There is just not enough ram. If sony would have made the thing with ability to put in more ram, it would have been great. They really screwed the pooch by offering the capability and then limiting it's performance. I don't think it would hurt them one bit to take it away, as they never really touted it anyway.

 

[Ares]

Dog Slow really, I thought it was slower than that, I had time to smoke half a pack of Cigs before it got loaded up, the PS3 has 256 MB of XDR DRAM.

 

[Seth=L]

Freakin hackarz, ruining all the PS3s!

 

[Jack Hammer]

I've never used the other OS feature and likely never would. Still, I don't like having the option to use it if I had a need or desire to install one removed. Assuming this isn't a bad joke (I'm very skeptical of anything slated for April 1st) I think it's a poor choice on Sony's part.

 

[Seth=L]

I've never used the other OS feature and likely never would. Still, I don't like having the option to use it if I had a need or desire to install one removed. Assuming this isn't a bad joke (I'm very skeptical of anything slated for April 1st) I think it's a poor choice on Sony's part.

Like Ares said, it may be a direct response to this George Hotz character and his announcement of cracking the PS3 in late January this year. The crack would open up opportunities for pseudo hackers and cheapskates all over the place. For example; the crack allows the system to play pirated games. Imagine downloading a torrent for a game, then porting it to your cracked PS3 for free instead of paying $60. You do that a few hundred thousand times across the globe and you've got major profit loss. With Sony at the fore front of anti piracy one could easily conclude they would do virtually anything to prevent profit loss on the most profitable part of the system, the games themselves.

If you ask me, Sony is playing it pretty smart. Consider the fact that tons of people own jailbroken iPods and several XBOX 360 owners have recently had their XBOX 360 systems banned permanently because of piracy. The PS3 users should be thankful that Sony is removing temptation to keep it's users out of trouble. Lord knows it would be a sad day to turn on your PS3 to see your system is locked out from online content permanently.

 

[Ares]

I would like to add one more thing if I may to your point Seth, with the PS3 cracked not only is there a chance of games being pirated but also Blu ray movies as well. This would be bad news for game developers and the movie industry as well (I'm talking about the people who work for a living here) also Seth is right alot of PS3 owners would be upset to see their PS3 banned from PSN. This story has also been picked up by IGN so I'm leaning towards real.

 

[Ares]

PS3 update locking out Linux April 1
By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot Posted Mar 29, 2010 11:14 am PT

Next firmware update for console will disable "Other OS" feature due to "security concerns"; owners who opt out will lose PSN access.

When the PlayStation 3 debuted in 2006, Sony played up the fact that alternate operating systems could be installed on the console. However, when the PS3 Slim was released last year, it lacked the "Other OS" feature, causing some grumbling from the Linux community. That grumbling turned to outrage today, when Sony Computer Entertainment announced the April 1 v3.21 PS3 firmware update will disable the Other OS option altogether.

On the PlayStation Blog, SCEA director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold said the move was due to "security concerns." Though no specific concerns were named, the move comes almost exactly two months after American hacker George Hotz, who famously unlocked the iPhone, announced he had hacked the PS3's operating system. In a BBC Interview, the software wunderkind said the effort took five weeks, and would allow hacked systems to play pirated games. Sony's PSP has suffered from similar exploits, leading to widespread piracy on the portable.

Seybold emphasized that the v3.21 firmware update is optional for current PS3 owners with Linux on their systems. However, consoles which do not have the update will no longer be able to log onto the PlayStation Network, play games online, use online features of games, play newer Blu-ray discs, or play copyright-protected videos from media servers.

The "Other OS" feature allowed technically savvy gamers to legitimately install the open-source Linux OS on the device, turning it into an alternate home computer. The US government also took advantage of the feature, with the Air Force ordering 2,200 of the powerful consoles to use as a linked supercomputer. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Cyber Crimes Center is using a similar system to to crack encrypted child pornography.

Source: GameSpot

I added this one just to show this is real and all thanks to George Hotz.

 

[Seth=L]

George Hotz proves he can hack the Titanic, it sinks. Thank you George Hotz for your senseless courage.

 

[Jack Hammer]

All codes are likely to get cracked at some point. Sony should come up with a better solution than to punish many legitimate and honest users for the possible (and unfortunately likely) actions of dishonest users.

 

[Ares]

Unfortunately this has to be done, I would venture a guess that 1 out of 1000 owners use this feature and even that number maybe low, sometimes you have to use the Scorched Earth method in hopes of solving this issue.

 

[Nugu]

Shouldn't this roll back the version number
Wow, I guess it is real after reading George Hotz's blog and a few ps3 sites.

The amusing thing is this fixes nothing. You can easily roll your PS3's firmware back (unless they totally change the way recovery works) and update to the FW needed to run Linux. Generally the cracked systems also get around PSN online blocking as well (intermittent access as it gets fixed/cracked though) which is the only reason I see to remove the other os feature.

If you're pirating games you'll probably be doing it for the single player anyways - otherwise you'd be like my friends and own 3 games and they all contain "Duty" or "Battlefield" in the titles.


As far as cracked systems go, I do support them - but not till the system is at the end of it's life and you can only buy the games for stupid amounts used.

 

[Ares]

Shouldn't this roll back the version number
Wow, I guess it is real after reading George Hotz's blog and a few ps3 sites.

The amusing thing is this fixes nothing. You can easily roll your PS3's firmware back (unless they totally change the way recovery works) and update to the FW needed to run Linux. Generally the cracked systems also get around PSN online blocking as well (intermittent access as it gets fixed/cracked though) which is the only reason I see to remove the other os feature.

If you're pirating games you'll probably be doing it for the single player anyways - otherwise you'd be like my friends and own 3 games and they all contain "Duty" or "Battlefield" in the titles.


As far as cracked systems go, I do support them - but not till the system is at the end of it's life and you can only buy the games for stupid amounts used.

I believe they have, I recently tried this via the recovery menu to roll back the firmware it did not work it stayed at v 3.15 when did it changed don't know.

 

[Ares]

Monday, March 29, 2010

Wait, you are removing a feature?
First off, I want to apologize to all the people who use Linux on their PS3. Before releasing, I weighed the pros and cons, and considered the possibility of an impact on OtherOS support. My logic was this. OtherOS support had already been removed from the Slim(not for technical reasons; I believe it only existed in the first place to promote the Cell for IBM) The builders had apparently no intention of including it in future products. So for the purposes of openness why not release? Not like anything else has(or probably will be) done on the PS3.

Now you go and remove a feature that people expected to be included with the expensive device they purchased, citing "security concerns". What security concerns? It's not like the exploit can be run even close to without the users knowledge. You have to open the ****ing thing up. How could this harm users? Your blog post doesn't list positive reasons for upgrading like I think most users expect. Instead it lists things you will lose if you don't upgrade. Seriously?

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.

Again I'm sorry users. Sony, I expected more from you.
Posted by George Hotz at 1:09 PM

This is what he posted on his blog thought you guys would find this interesting. I love the fake sincerity it's funny he expected more from Sony, maybe he should realize if it wasn't for him hacking the PS3 and then running to the BBC saying look what I can do, then Sony wouldn't have done this.