PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update 1st April

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 10:26AM #1

Possibly an Aprils fools joke....But does keep the hackers at bay

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/

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.

Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here:
http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/index.htm

PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services:
http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/
800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)

heebusjeebus · 29-03-2010 11:15AM

Surely this cant be right. Has to be an April fools joke. I know not many people use the other os feature but still, its retarded.

I call bull**** due to the fact they say you more or less cant use the PS3 for jack **** unless you install the "minor" update

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.

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 11:16AM

Oh and i spotted this : PS3 3D video output turns up in 3.20 debug firmware.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/14/ps3-3d-video-output-turns-up-in-3-20-debug-firmware/

We'd already heard that the PS3 wouldn't need anything more than a simple firmware update to make the jump to 3D, and it looks like we now have the first evidence of that very firmware update. It's obviously not ready for public consumption just yet, but a debug build of the 3.20 firmware is apparently now making the rounds among developers, and it quite clearly includes a "3D Video Output" option in the settings -- as evidenced by this image courtesy of VG247. Still no word of an exact release date for the firmware, unfortunately, although it should be out sometime this summer.

ongarite · 29-03-2010 11:26AM

This was bound to happen and the signs were on the wall even before the much publicised GeoHot "Other OS" hack.
The Slim dropped "Other OS" support and no one cared.
The only reason "Other OS" was there in the first place was to get around the EU import duty. They lost that case and so dropped "Other OS" for Slim.

Linux on PS3 is ****e to be honest, 256MB RAM support, no SPU or GPU access. It was severly limited.

Now that there is a small risk of PS3 piracy with GeoHot shouting it to the world, Sony have made the decision to cut it off; GeoHot hack relies on Other OS access.

Sony have seen whats happened with the PSP and are determined that it never happens with the PS3.

Best post so far from NeoGAF:

Very sad, but since geohot made his first announcement this has been like watching a slow car crash through to its inevitable conclusion. The Yellow Dog Linux guys reported this would be happening on their forum a while ago (before deleting the post), if their shift in focus toward GPU computing wasn't already a sign.

Almost as sad that this is the busiest Linux PS3 thread since before PS3 was released. People are given everything on a plate, say 'meh', then complain viciously when it's taken away. I'd very high hopes for PS3 Linux back in 2006, but really...virtually no one cared. For the five of you who did...chin up, maybe the system will be usably hacked in the future.

noodler · 29-03-2010 12:35PM

A fairly honest update from Sony there. This FW update doesn't even have anything to sweeten the deal.

L31mr0d · 29-03-2010 12:49PM

Who is actually going to miss this?

The other OS feature was a nice addition that PS3 fanboys could laud over their 360 counterparts: "snarff, we support Linux, Linux fights the man, we win, go back and RROD your Xbox 3-sh!tty playing Gay-lo"

But in reality, nobody used it. I work with Linux daily and I never bothered installing it. I know of nobody that uses it, just look at the threads in here looking for help installing it :rolleyes:

It was more of a passing distraction for most: Install it, use if for a week or so letting everyone know via tweet and blog, then go back to playing games.

Leiva · 29-03-2010 12:50PM

I have no issue with this .

tman · 29-03-2010 01:02PM

Never bothered my arse installing linux on mine due to a lack of a usb/bluetooth keyboard, but it'd be nice to have the feature there if I ever decide to do it in the future.
I paid full whack for my 60GB model for various reasons, this being one of them... Not too happy with it being taken out, even if I currently don't have a use for it.

99% sure this is an April fools though, so mneh!

noodler · 29-03-2010 01:05PM

No issue either - I would have thought the press release would have put more of a positive slant on the release as a whole by stressing the 3D thing.

ScissorPaperRock · 29-03-2010 01:10PM

The 3D isn't included in this one.

noodler · 29-03-2010 01:12PM

ScissorPaperRoc wrote: »

The 3D isn't included in this one.

Indeed - well then I thought there would have been some "improves playback of such and such" bullcrap mentioned like they always do when they release a FW that does something they don't want us to dwell on.

Grumpypants · 29-03-2010 01:14PM

While i have never used the other OS nor will i ever prob get around to it. Its pretty poor form for Sony to sell you something that does xy and z and then turn around and remove Z after you have bought it.

I dont use BC either but if they removed it after using it as a selling point id be pretty annoyed.

-Trek- · 29-03-2010 01:16PM

I installed linux so I could use Firefox, but TBH not worth the effort. So not going to miss it if this turns out to be true.

noodler · 29-03-2010 01:17PM

Grumpypants wrote: »

While i have never used the other OS nor will i ever prob get around to it. Its pretty poor form for Sony to sell you something that does xy and z and then turn around and remove Z after you have bought it.

I dont use BC either but if they removed it after using it as a selling point id be pretty annoyed.

Good point. I wonder where they stand legally there - I assume they have looked after that aspect but it does raise interesting questions.

Grumpypants · 29-03-2010 01:20PM

noodler wrote: »

Good point. I wonder where they stand legally there - I assume they have looked after that aspect but it does raise interesting questions.

Im pretty sure they have something in the T&C's that they can do what they want to your online account. So if you want to keep your OS just dont update your firmware. But you wont be aloud to play online if you dont. Like how microsoft get around the banning of chipped consoles from Live as its not illegal to chip your machine just just wont let you join in the online games.

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 02:00PM

Grumpypants

While i have never used the other OS nor will i ever prob get around to it. Its pretty poor form for Sony to sell you something that does xy and z and then turn around and remove Z after you have bought it.

I dont use BC either but if they removed it after using it as a selling point id be pretty annoyed.

Very good point, its like false advertising in a way...

_tony_ · 29-03-2010 02:02PM

Like most people, I never use my OtherOS feature - but I paid for it, and I think it's very, very poor form for Sony to take it away.

But, there are some people out there (and companies and universities), who did buy it for the linux feature, and in particular, to play about with the Cell. Most of the people who really really want to use PS3 Linux and tinker with the Cell are the hacker type. Many of these people don't care about pirated games as they have decent enough PCs for games anyway.

Surely if Sony go ahead and do this - they are just provoking these hacker types to hack the PS3 properly - so that they can unlock their OtherOS, perhaps with GPU, and this would also open the doors for the long awaited ISO loader.

Is it wrong for people to hack it to return a major feature of the system that they paid for? ....Interesting times ahead

kenon · 29-03-2010 02:24PM

I wont miss this.

I have Yellow Dog installed on it, but I have barely used it due to the performance being crippled by the lack of RAM.

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 02:30PM

I probably wont miss it but i used it for Mame but whatcha gonna do.
There are ways to get on the PSN though by bypassing the firmware check

noodler · 29-03-2010 02:34PM

eddhorse wrote: »

I probably wont miss it but i used it for Mame but whatcha gonna do.
There are ways to get on the PSN though by bypassing the firmware check

Leiva · 29-03-2010 07:44PM

Yea seems like it's defo gonna happen , even GeoHot has had his say..
http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 08:02PM

Good link Mixednuts

From Geohot

Don't Update
A note to people interested in the exploit and retaining OtherOS support, DO NOT UPDATE. When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat's Recovery Flasher. I never intended to touch CFW, but if that's how you want to play...

L'prof · 29-03-2010 08:10PM

Am I the only one who's installed linux on the machine and/or doesn't care?

Grumpypants · 29-03-2010 09:00PM

Wonder how far you would get looking for a refund saying you bought it for 600 euro because it did this. Now i want a refund. Not far i guess.

Captain Chaos · 29-03-2010 09:04PM

Grumpypants wrote: »

Wonder how far you would get looking for a refund saying you bought it for 600 euro because it did this. Now i want a refund. Not far i guess.

Sony have themselves covered. Ever read the terms and conditions in the XMB and every firmware update. "Sony reserves the right to make changes at any time to this product".....yda, yda etc......

Its no real loss anyway, it wasn't even a proper feature that was in anyway way useful.

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 09:44PM

I can see both sides of the argument, Sony dont want Geohot or similar getting close to cracking their machine any further,
Geohot isnt making any friends anyways with people who do use the feature.
Some nasty comments on his blog

Creamy Goodness · 29-03-2010 09:59PM

geohot is one cocky mother****er... he deserves to have no friends (don't get me wrong the guy can hack/code/etc. but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired).

Grumpypants · 29-03-2010 10:09PM

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

geohot is one cocky mother****er... he deserves to have no friends (don't get me wrong the guy can hack/code/etc. but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired).

Weirdo internet hacker turns out to be a dick ! Stop the presses

eddhorse · 29-03-2010 10:29PM

Grumpypants wrote: »

Weirdo internet hacker turns out to be a dick ! Stop the presses

^^ hehe good one

WolfForager · 29-03-2010 11:06PM

Good on Sony i say, i'd rather have a piracy free console than have linux support (which i have never used, and can't now as i have a slim). TBH i can just see Sony destroying Geohot programming wise, i just can't see one man beating a team of extraordinarily skilled programmers, Sony will basically counter everything Geohot does until there are no holes left.

EDIT: Lmao, geohot's faithful flock has turned against him like rabid wolverines :pac: http://geohotps3.blogspot.com/2010/03/dont-update.html#disqus_thread

eddhorse · 30-03-2010 12:30AM

Last thing we want is this :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8lbLrdtPTg

PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update 1st April

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