Sony Kills PS3 OS Support In Self Defence
Exploit threats force Sony to nix operating system support.
Sony has announced that its next PS3 firmware update, v3.21, will disable the 'Install Other OS' option that allowed users to run operating systems on the older, fatter models. "Security concerns" are cited as the reason for the feature removal.
Of course, if you love your Linux-running PS3 and don't wish to part with it, you can choose not to update the firmware when it's rolled out on the 1st April. However, if you don't do so, you won't be able to sign in to the PlayStation Network, play online games, run games, Blu-rays or upcoming features requiring firmware v3.21, or have access to copyright-protected videos on media servers. So, you'll be knackered, then.
The move is clearly a reaction to increasing threats of a successful hack of the PlayStation 3 architecture - so far, the PS3 has proved itself to be bulletproof in the face of homebrew and pirate hackers. A recent exploit, released to the world by George Hotz, likely forced Sony's hand.
If you bite the bullet and decide to upgrade the firmware, Sony recommends you backup any data on the relevant alternate OS partition, as you won't be able to access it after v3.21 has been installed.
Of course, if you love your Linux-running PS3 and don't wish to part with it, you can choose not to update the firmware when it's rolled out on the 1st April. However, if you don't do so, you won't be able to sign in to the PlayStation Network, play online games, run games, Blu-rays or upcoming features requiring firmware v3.21, or have access to copyright-protected videos on media servers. So, you'll be knackered, then.
The move is clearly a reaction to increasing threats of a successful hack of the PlayStation 3 architecture - so far, the PS3 has proved itself to be bulletproof in the face of homebrew and pirate hackers. A recent exploit, released to the world by George Hotz, likely forced Sony's hand.
If you bite the bullet and decide to upgrade the firmware, Sony recommends you backup any data on the relevant alternate OS partition, as you won't be able to access it after v3.21 has been installed.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
Daz 29 Mar 2010 10:51
1/5
did anyone actually use it anyway?
Dreadknux 29 Mar 2010 10:59
2/5
According to the complaints on the PlayStation Blog, an awful lot apparently. I certainly wasn't one of them, though. I have a computer to run operating systems. :)
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Tamikaze 29 Mar 2010 11:46
3/5
This is stupid, if i remember correctly didn't Sony advertise the PS3 with Linux support? and they want to get rid of it because 1% of the PS3 community want to hack it. Lets be honest here what can they do anyway? put on some stupid little emulators so they can play Pac-man on their PS3s.. I like using Linux on my system so i can browse around on the internet on my PS3 with it crashing every 5 minutes or so.
Bertybassett 29 Mar 2010 14:30
4/5
sony sony sony. It was obvious that an attack would come from within the Linux system you fools. 90% of Linux users are super geeks/hacker types and and then you include it on the sony box.
Personally I would like to keep the other OS so I hope some freedom/open source typo company tries to take on Sony over this because what use is a PS3 with the lastest firmware non. So sony are forcing you to update.
Personally I would like to keep the other OS so I hope some freedom/open source typo company tries to take on Sony over this because what use is a PS3 with the lastest firmware non. So sony are forcing you to update.
headcasephil 29 Mar 2010 14:48
5/5
@Daz
my 40gb is a dedicated linux box i will not be updating the firmware and i did have linux runny on my 60gb till i upgraded the hdd
my 40gb is a dedicated linux box i will not be updating the firmware and i did have linux runny on my 60gb till i upgraded the hdd