it's a shame really. but sony never gave enough support for Linux on ps3 anyway. you can't even use adobe flash player to watch videos from youtube etc. because there is no support for a power pc based machine using linux.

It is a security flaw, and Linux runs like crap on the PS3 anyway. On the other hand, it's a sweet feature. I do not like the fact that they are taking it away. This isn't fair. It's a promised feature that Sony sold us from the get go. It's something no other console has, and the fact that Sony is taking it away will simply alienate fans, and bring up poor media response.

Sony is just responding to recent allegations by that kid who hacked the Iphone that claimed to hack the PS3.I'm assuming that they're trying to shut off any portal he'd (or future hackers when his exploits are released) have into the console's architecture and OS. Got a 80 gig phat and nvr used Linux so its none of my concern.

You take out a feature, but don't offer anything new in the update?

I don't use Linux, even though its installed, but Sony needs to learn if they are going to do something that will make fans mad, they need to give them something nice in the same 'update'. This would have been a good time to put cross game chat, no one would care about the lack of "OtherOS."

Using linux on your PS3 is useless anyways. Its extremely slow and worthless. Plus the GPU is blocked when you install it anyways so all you can really do is just word processing and browsing the web. Just use ubuntu on your computer and this little problem is solved.
Edit: Yeah, It is an april fools joke. Either way I could care less if it wasn't.

I'm thinking this is an April fools joke.

I think geohot should apologise to all the ps3 fat owners and buy them all a slim so that they can continue to game online

Geohot wins, Sony taking a crap on their early adopters wow pathetic.

This will backfire on them watch, how Geo and his hackers still

break open the PS3 to amazing levels.

Someone said a long time ago that the Warhawk servers ran on PS3's running Linux, no?

Either way, Sony's gonna get some bad press.

This is the BEST april fools ever. Have you guys read it?

"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"

Basically, UNLESS you UPDATE the firmware, games, DVDs, Blu-ray will not work...uh yeah. How can they disable everything UNLESS you download the firmware...coupled with the fact it's jumped from 3.15 to 3.21 which are consecutive numbers and it apparent comes out on April 1st, sounds like an April fools to me.

Update: Well, the EU Blog is claiming it isn't a joke, so perhaps I'm wrong. We are talking the people that thought it was a good idea to announce a Jak and Daxter for PSP not made by Naughty Dog on the same day last year here.

I like my linux partition thank you very much, it was one of the many features on the ps3 that got me to get my launch night 'FATTY'.

I hope this is BS.

I think its a good move from sony, they just dont want their system compromised like the psp and the xbox360.

i payed for an item that has all this features now i don't use this feature but its nice to know that its there. now since they r taking the OS feature away from us would this at least mean that we would also get more HDD space or a smother XMB, idk anything that would compensate for the lost of such feature ?

ok im FOR ONCE with Giant enemy crab on this one..
despite his stupid trollish comments most of the times and ass kissing M$,he happens to be right on this one ACCEPT for bieng "done" with PSN n all.

i as well bought a 250giger for my black beauty not only for just more space for demo's,games,movies,and music but a big part for partitioning for the Linux install..
i LOOOOVE having linux on my black beast.. it makes the ps3 all that more valuable.
i really hope this is a april fools lie cuz even though ill still be busting out on psn and love its freeness,i will be pissed at the fact i cant use my linux partition :(

dont get me wrong,i think its a smart move for sony for them and especially OUR protection,just pissed and will be much missed if this becomes true.

can we have an optional firmware update?

April fools. Even though this feature is useless.

this is not a good idea.... i can hear the microsoft fanboys now...

To all the people saying "I wanted to install Linux, thanks Sony!" I call bullsheet. If you wanted to do it you'd have done it by now.

Good job Sony. I think this is the right move but I wish it had more substance aside this. Protect your 3rd party and 1st party companies from Piracy. Great job.

Who cares its about time they took of the feature, its a console not a PC

The ability was nice but seriously, it was really slow to be used on a daily basis. I'll be glad to get my space back (hopefully I will). Don't get me wrong, it was a nice bonus and I strongly disagree with the decision, but nowadays you can build a computer that will run linux faster than it did on PS3 and it'll be much cheaper too. Although I still think it's stupid they are taking this feature away. I don't think it's fair at all. Again, the customers get fuked over because of hackers. We've seen this before and it's happening again. I hope this is an April Fools joke.

K, before we all start a war... I was thinking the same too. 4 months for removing a feature? no way. but then i read.. "Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later" so there COULD be new features on the update... not getting my hopes up though.

I mean does anyone even use it? I never have. And there has never been a scene for the "other OS" option.

I just wish we could have PS2 compatibility added in, would be a good trade

Thank the hackers that publicized an exploit using the "Other OS" option. You're smoking sherm if you think Sony will let piracy effect the PS3 as it has the PSP...and 360...and PC...and DS.

I am so fing pissed. I use this feature. I fing blame the hackers for this crap. Whats the site for the iphone hacker, I would like to leave him a nice message. Some people kill it for everyone..

How long till Sony has a Firmware update that will remove BC from the older models?

Guess I won't be updating then. I enjoyed playing SNES games on my TV through YDL and I don't want to lose that just yet.

couldnt care less, lomng as it plays great games and my excessive collection of dvds im happy

GEOHOT!!!!!

Illegal to remove the "Other OS function" as the original PS3 was sold with that as part of the selling point.

Having problems with a Sticky Accelerator on Toyota cars? fine, they can just remove the pedal!!!! Problem solved! car won't move... but hey the pedal won't stick anymore...

if u was sony u would do the same thing.to keep the ps3 safe form hacking. if it was not for that one guy who open his mouth about the hacking u guy could of been clean.

April 1st Fools anyone?

I'm not even upset over the fact that this could be a good update for sony. I mean if you use the other OS feature then your most likely but not 100% a hacker. I mean I have a fat and slim PS3 and with the fat I have never used the Other OS System feature. Seriously, would you like people to start pirating games on PS3 just as how's it has been on 360?
Sony only wants to make their system a "safe" system and to prevent anything bad to happen.

tl;dr: Other OS is useless except for hackers, and Sony wants the PS3 to be safe.

This is a 1st April Joke... I bet on it

i can't sign to PSN when i watching blu-ray movies buahahah
so how i can found my friends ??? so cheap FONY

edit : acutely i remember i don't have friends on PSN so no need PSN on blu-ray movies
all my friends busy on Xbox Live : )

edit 2:hey suunyd add me on CheaPSN : UAE_Sniper or Saeed-Al-Amri

I'm gonna come forward and admit that I HAVE INSTALLED LINUX ON MY PS3!But I never use it and I don't care if they take it away.

HOWEVER!
I will now have to back up all of my save games and stuff like that,I will also have to install home and all the other games that I bought before. Also,I don't have a place where I can store my stuff in,so I will probably have to buy a new portable hard drive or something!THIS IS WHY I'M PISSED!

No way they'll do that. I mean, I don't really use it but it's still there!

-End statement

This turn of events was to be expected based on what has occurred. For those of you who don't know - the ps3 hypervisor got hacked by geohot (see: http://geohotps3.blogspot.c... which is a first step toward the piracy we hear about on the 360 and psp. I personally blame both the Sony and the Hacker who pulled off getting access to the hypervisor.

Really I think it's a complicated issue, because as a business Sony needs to (more like *has to*) protect their interests and make a profit, and piracy *is* illegal and unfair to developers and publishers... so it seems logical that they would block otherOS access to prevent further "hacking".

As a consumer, this is obviously very frustrating since Sony is removing a feature that *can* be quite useful and *is* quite useful for people who use the feature and also research organizations that use it for cheap computing...

Overall though, I expect the impact to be rather divided. For ps3 slim owners, this changes absolutely nothing. But for older ps3 revision owners, this is *could* be a pretty low blow.

I would suggest though that maybe people who are annoyed should submit petitions on playstation share ( http://share.blog.us.playst... get Sony to re-release otherOS functionality once they've figured out a way to keep it hack-free.

-Sophos

1. Its been surveyed that less than 20% of PS3 users actually use the feature, 2. Phats are no longer in production and Slims don't come with it, 3. After the GeoHotz incident I can see why they would since that was the closest to hacking the PS3 and Sony wants 0 piracy on it.

IMHO, it was a useless feature. Need I remind you all Sony removed the feature from slims b4 geohotz hack so, they basically didn't need it honestly, its not that great having linux on PS3, really. Sony doesn't want to lose sales and fall into piracy and I don't blame then 1 bit. I'd do the same if I were in their position. Look at 360, as much sales as it gets, it would proabaly double if it weren't for the piracy.

is this some kind of april fools joke?

i feel pretty worked over. i got a ps3 fat because of this feature when i could have got a newer slim. question is, what do we get instead of this feature?

cheers Geohot nice work!
but seriously linux was gimped with the RSX cut off, running an OS without a GPU sucks, so no great loss.

i did install linux once and it sucked, it was slow and buggy and i didnt see the point so who cares, as long a they are banging out great games thats all that matters.

Sony are SOB's, I thought Stringer said they would rely on open source software in the middle future, WTH? the RSX memory became recently available for the user thanks to Fixstar's Yellow Dog contribution.

Does this means we will be stuck with the Netfront browser and the XMB in PS4? Microsoft most likely will use a full fledged multi purpose O.S. for the 8th generation, can't Sony think straight for god's sake?

Let me just add that apparently a lot of people probably don't care whether otherOS is around or not as evidenced by: http://share.blog.us.playst...

So we can all speak the vitriolic rhetoric about Sony screwing us over, but unless we vote and actually TELL them, they will probably think that nothing is wrong with pulling moves like this. In fact, current poll results would be telling Sony that removing otherOS is actually supported as current slim users apparently are *negatively* supporting it...

well that sucks....

they took out Backward Compatibility, Now The otheros, whats next? the browser?

lol at people saying/hoping its an april fools joke. do you guys not understand the concept of 'april fools'? an april fools joke HAS to occur on April 1 and only before 12pm. you cant do an april fools joke on March 28.

Wow the B!tchin on the blog is insane I bet 90 percent of the ps3 owners havent even touched the other OS.

Now it doesn't do everything

Makes me think back to all of the people who were going to toss their PC's and use the PS3 as their desktop PC because it had the power to run Linux. I don't know if this is true or not, but it would suck if you were using your PS3 as a Linux desktop and they took the ability away.

I guess we'll see.

WEll if you all want to be pissed, dont be pissed at Sony, be pissed at the loser who hacked it.

this sucks

Wait a minute now. I purchased the Playstation 3 at full price with the advertised features on launch day. I paid 600.00 plus tax for the hardware.

I bought the Linux Operating System at full price along with the keyboard and mouse. I have all sorts of software installed plus music. Are you telling me that 5 days is enough time to warn people of an update like this? Do you think that consumers are just going to let you take hundreds of dollars in investments without some sort of refund? I won't.

even though I never installed Linux, I wonder if this means that PS2 BC is coming to slim PS3? Which I'm pretty sure was the other half of this when it was just a rumor a few months back.

I don't use the feature. This doesn't negatively effect me in any way. I find it funny that so many people are whining about this when so few people actually use it...

what a stupid update.......this is not even an update...this is like: hey...screw you all...we are removing that option so you guys can mess around with the system....especially installing fun stuff like linux...Why would you guys ever remove something that was extra and good for some people that actually enjoy doing stuff like this?

Stop this madness, Sony. We need Other OS on PS3. It's certainly not right to downgrade product consumer has paid hundreds of euros for.

for all the people complaining other os is not available on the new ps3 slim, also Linux runs real slow on the ps3, so it it is no big real loss anyways, I am calling this an april fools joke anyways.

April 1st a crappy update..c'mon of course its a bad joke. Sony already said it had no plans to remove other OS. April fools apparently comes early and the update number 3.21 doesn't even make sens it hasn't even got a 3.20 so ignore it its an April fools "joke" but not a very good one.

this may be bad for some people , but i never used it and dont plan to so this really has no effect on me

Hmmm..

1. When PS3 had hardware BC, PS3 fans laughed at the Xbox 360s BC. Then Sony took it out and PS3 fans say "who really needed it."
2. When PS3 launched with the ability to install Linux, PS3 fans heralded how it was an awesome feature and how the 360 was a closed system. Again, with the rumor of it going away, its "who really needs it."

Wow... I know some people use Linux on their PS3 as their primary computer. They're not going to be too happy when they find out that they can't access their files and such. I guess the only option to be able to play games and have Linux is to buy a PS3 slim and use the old PS3 as a computer.

Damn, GeoHotz is lucky that he dropped out of RIT otherwise I would've made him drop out myself now.

(note: I go to RIT)

PLEASE READ IT WONT BE REMOVED
wen this rumour started several months back sony said they wont remove it as people paid for it this IS a stupid april fool joke

"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 need Custom Soundtracks, NOW! It' s been 3 years and 5 months allready! How long do we have to wait for ingame custom soundtracks! Im sick of GTA4 radios during the game!

...or I want that prick Gehot's head on a platter!! I use my linux partition as a spare PC and for my classic Snes and Megadrive games!!!

I already have Ubuntu running, will this cease to stop working, will I not be able to play mass effect and all my nes ROMS anymore...? ;-(

Hi All,

On 02/26/2010 04:30 AM, David Woodhouse wrote:
> On Fri, 2009-08-21 at 09:58 -0700, geoffrey.levand at am.sony.com wrote:
>> The feature of “Install Other OS” was removed from the new
>> “Slim” PS3 model to focus on delivering games and other
>> entertainment content.
>>
>> 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.
>
> Although it’s disappointing that Sony have removed the feature from new
> models, It’s good to have this public assurance from Sony that at least
> the feature won’t be removed from older models which are already
> working.

I actually called this when the hacks were shown, it's the easiest way to prevent any further action with it.

Although, the timing is suspect. I'm going to guess there is a firmware update on Thursday and when Eric Lempel does his bit, it will have other features.

PLEASE!
Its been 3 and a halkf years allrady!

don't even know what Linux is lol. Sucks for whoever uses it. Blame the hackers

FRIKIN HELL. Why the hell did Geohot have to start hacking it with Linux, this is exactly why it got removed, Sony are trying to stop it before the danger grows big.

I didn't use the option but a lot of people are gonna be pissed.

Never used Linux when i still got my old launch ps3

Custom soundtracks!
Custom soundtracks!
Custom soundtracks!
Custom soundtracks!
Custom soundtracks!
Custom soundtracks!

It's most likely a April Fool's Joke there too many discrepancy's with this Post

1. Sony has already affirmed that "Other OS" won't be disabled for older PS3 models.

On Fri, 2009-08-21 at 09:58, Geoffrey Levand
(PS3-Linux maintainer) had this to say when asked about the rumors that Linux would be disabled in a future Firmware update.

"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."

If Sony was truly going to disable linux wouldn't this mean that Geff would be job-less?

2. "The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST)"

There's Three Problems here.

One - Sony is known to Rarely if ever announce a specific date for there firmware updates.

Two - The release date in question is none other the Aprils Fools day, think about it people why would Sony announce a release date for a firmware that disables a feature that they have already stated wasn't going to be disabled? Why would they release this Firmware exactly on April 1st? Knowing it's April Fools day?

Three - (JST) is Japan Standard Time, This is the kicker for me
why would this even be on the announcement? There's no Time for the Firmwares release only (JST) Also the post is directed towards the United States. Japan is 14 hours ahead of (EST) Eastern Standard Time meaning "if" the firmware was released April 1st at 12:00am it would be March 31st 2pm in the United States.

3. "The Jump" The current firmware version is 3.15 why would Sony jump from 3.15 to 3.21? What happened to 3.20? This is very odd by itself. If you look back at previous firmware update releases Sony has never made a odd jump like this.

i dont want to get hacked so im kool with it i tried linux yellow dog and its nothing special. as for ms fanboys being all over this, as of right now ps3 games are not all over the web nor is anybody been banned yet for hacking but for 360 well its like aids spreading and the free games are all over the web and alan wake will be next up with splinter cell.

DOUBLE POST BUT

SCEA's Patrick Seybold explains that the removal of said functionality is necessary "due to security concerns ... [and] 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."

I hope they remove it.do you know that the latest x360 hack enable you to install the game completely into your hdd and play it straight from the hdd.I don't want too see that on ps3.

Who cares? PS3 is only gonna be safer now "oh no i cant install the amazing linux on PS3 cause i could do so much with that, ffs install on ur PC/MAC then" Its not like the 360 cud ever do it or anything.

I really don’t care about Lunix but if that’s all the update has then it’s a waste of bandwidth

Please people WE ALL KNOW THIS IS APRIL FOOLS JOKE!

Everybody who agrees just copy paste this comment till everybody stops nagging!

Time to put this Fatty in a box, and not connect it to PSN anymore and buy a PS3 Slim to go online.

Fatty will wait for Geohot and others to have done a full softmod so my PS3 fat will gain capabilities like my PSP with CFW has.

If this is an April Fool's joke, the person who submitted this should be banned from ever contributing again.

Could be a joke because it is on April Fool's Day or the update will happen but won't remove anything (Kind of a Joke about removing OS).

Anyways I could care less, I use it once an now I got a computer that has 500GB an 2GB RAM, so I'm good and my PS3 is sitting with 500GB an only 258GB left from just games, videos, music an installing things like HOME, PS Life an everything else I got with my PS3 but no OS.

OS or not, I don't care an if it is to stop all the hackers that use lag kills in MAG, then that is awesome.

Anyone that says they are mad but don't use it or thing its a bad move? You are dumb, its like owning a computer with notthing to stop hackers an Virus from coming into your computer, It is just plan dumb.

Its a joke. Its like saying Windows Work and 360 works on april fools day.

If it isnt no big deal most people got a PC or Mac.

Guess I'm going to have to block my PS3 from the internet. While I haven't used linux too often. I would rather not lose that feature if it can be avoided.

PMSL! G.Hotz what are you going to do now.

I had no idea that so many people used this feature. If it cuts down on piracy then I'm for it.

Edit: I don't think this is an April Fool's...the blog recognizes my account when I go to the site. I HIGHLY doubt Sony themselves would joke about something like this.

You guys who think it's nothing more than a April Fools job are going to be so disappointed when you hit update.

There will be a way to down grade anyway like on PSP

If sony removes this then going to get hit hard by fanboys if dont remove in the next 6 months there massive storm of piracy on the ps3. the ps3 is at the momment only ever sold console that has not had a form of piracy sony will want to hold on to this reputation the developers know when they make game exclusive to the ps3 theres no one out there stealing there product the only people enjoying there work are people that payed for there work. at the end of the day i dont see why any one care's if your writing on site you got a pc if want linux go get it simple it was nice feture but one thats not needed and the outcome is loads of piracy then sony should just take it away.

for disagrees i know iam going to get if your not a stupid fanboy that cant handle the true please tell me what used this for why sony should npt attempt to stop piracy and why you cant just do what ever you wanted to do ten times better on 5-7 year old computer.

I've Yellow Dog Linux on my ps3. I hate how you can't run flash videos on the internet browser because of there being no flash functionality with powerpc. It is cool that you can install Linux though and I hope this news isn't true. What happens if you've Linux already installed? If this is true, it better not mess up my PS3!

So I really don't mind the update and personally I think any move to stem piracy is a good one. I could get my 360 hacked but I don't like that either.

And let's be honest here, how many people is this really going to inconvenience? Yeah there's a ton of us hardcore fans on the internet but there's what, like 28 million or more PS3 "Phat" users out there and I'd hazard a guess that there's a miniscule percentage of those people that actually use the feature meaning Sony won't mind pissing off a very small amount of the user base in order to protect the platform from hackers and piracy.

At the same time I do feel sorry for people that do use the feature as it is no doubt awesome for people who know what they are doing and can get the full potential out of it, I'd be pissed if I was one of those users but unfortunately there's a bigger picture here and the "other os" feature and it's users are also unfortunately make up only a few pixels in that big picture.

A2DP is all i want.

http://www.haxnetwork.net/2...

What about the people who invested hundreds of hours in their linux on the ps3? This is like Macs removing the option to install Windows....

MADNESS!

If it means better security then I am all for it.I for one don't use linux so it doesn't matter to me.

It would appear as if I paid $600 for features that are no longer available. The Linux option is great for my supercharged web server but now I cant update it anymore. BS!
Why don't they fix the exploit instead of take away a great part of the functionality. A-holes!
Next they will take away my backwards compatibility because they are not making money from me on those remastered PS2/1 games!
Is this legal?
EDIT: It only does everything... until they take it away!

Features the PS3 has lost between 2006 - 2010:
- Hardware-based PS2 backward compatibility
- SACD support
- Flash card readers
- 2x USB slots
- Software-based PS2 backwards compatibility
- Linux OS installation

Features the Xbox 360 has lost between 2005 - 2010:
- (None)

This is a marketing thing! its an april fools joke to spark reactions and the update will include something very interesting that will remove all anger from everyone. Watch, It the new features will enlighten people. For example, the update may come with cross game chat.

I'd laugh if it was an april fools joke and we got in-game voice chat instead......

dont even use linux on my ps3, its a horrible experience, im not sad that its gone and if it makes the ps3 safer im all for it

i have linux installed and love it after using it i hate windows.there is so much you can do in linux and its so fun and i use it as my main pc.but after the pr guy said they were gonna support it that took a load off my shoulder and now after this...F sony. im not gonna up date,and if they require the latest FW to play certain games like psp i guess i wont be buying games for a long time.gaming is not fun no more like back in the day.so now i guess i gotta get rid of MAG and SOCOM.that like totally killed my relationship and trust for sony,

You people that are mad at Sony for this are morons. Direct your anger at the hacker where it belongs. I swear... humans lose more intelligence every day.