Older PS3s losing 'install other OS' option in Thursday's firmware 3.21 update

Bad news, Linux fans. The older PlayStation 3 consoles are losing one of the features they could tout over their Slim successor. Firmware 3.21 is coming out this Thursday, April 1st, and its major raison d'être is to kill the "install other OS" option. (This is "not an April fools joke," as the PlayStation Europe blog clarifies.) "Security concerns" is the cited reason, although we're sure that doesn't make you feel much better -- no one likes the loss of a feature, even if it wasn't being used. Those who wish to keep Yellow Dog or Fedora running can opt to not upgrade, but skipping out means losing the ability to access PlayStation Network and play games online, among other things. DARPA enthusiasts notwithstanding, we can't say we know many people still running Linux on their console, but if you count yourself among the few and proud, our condolences. Them's the breaks, but hey, at least some of you still have PS2 compatibility.

[spin cycle Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:34PM]

Seems like a great opportunity for someone to sue.

[James Bond Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:35PM]

@spin cycle

or upgrade

[bolezhinkov Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:37PM]

@spin cycle

ohhhh I get it sony. well played. youre expecting me to love all the magic of fedora so much that I will buy a ps3 slim now so I dont update.

[IcerC Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:38PM]

@spin cycle
Is this to make both systems use the same firmware so Sony doesn't have two versions?

Or to keep people from buying ps3's to make cheap data crunching machines?

[Dafrety Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:42PM]

@James Bond
Upgrade to what? A slim? Then I still wouldn't be able to do this. In fact, I'd be able to do even less, assuming that they don't remove those features as well.

[spin cycle Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:42PM]

@IcerC There isn't a PS3 still sold that still runs Linux. Only older models did it. So I don't think it was to keep people from buying PS3s as cheap number crunching machines.

I don't think it makes the firmware identical between models either, as the older models have PS2 BC and the new ones don't.

[CJ100570 Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:44PM]

@spin cycle I'm leaning that way since I honestly did buy my PS3 because of the fact that Linux could be installed on it. Within 2 hours of getting it I had Ubuntu installed on it just as I do on my PC and my laptop.

[Sogeking Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:18PM]

@spin cycle

I'm sure all 4 of them will be disappointed.

But seriously wtf...

[Covarr Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:22PM]

@spin cycle You have a good point. The Other OS feature was advertised in commercials, on the box, etc. For them to remove it would make them guilty of false advertising.

Yeah, I see a class action lawsuit coming up.

[Napsterking Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:24PM]

@spin cycle
Ps3-hacks.com says OtherOS won't be removed in future firmware updates

http://www.ps3-hacks.com/2010/03/01/otheros-will-not-be-removed-from-non-slim-ps3-models/

[aubreyq Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:36PM]

Does the Air Force know? Hehehe

[Broderbund Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:40PM]

@spin cycle I don't understand how someone could sue over this..

So they're removing functionality, so what? Was the ps3 advertised as having that functionality?

[jediyoshi Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:49PM]

@Broderbund Yes.

[spin cycle Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:49PM]

@Broderbund I dunno what you consider advertising, but it was a listed feature.

[romedroid Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:10PM]

@Napsterking http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/ The official US Playstation blog says it is in fact removing te Install other OS feature. ;(

[cge10 Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:13PM]

@Napsterking o god i hope that site is right

[angermeans Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:28PM]

@James Bond LOL +1

[ratix Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:29PM]

@Napsterking

you might want to check the date of that post again. that was posted on march 1st, almost a month ago. a lot can happen in a month, and one of those things was apparently for sony to decide to kill install other os.

[guroth Posted Mar 29th 2010 12:17AM]

@Dafrety

If he doesn't upgrade his old PS3 because he wants to keep redhat then he can't play games online, so he'll have to buy a PS3 Slim IN ADDITION to his existing PS3, so he can play online on the slim while maintaining redhat on his old PS3.

[BigD145 Posted Mar 29th 2010 1:31AM]

@aubreyq The Air Force rarely updates, so I guess they'll find out in 10 years.

[AaronX Posted Mar 29th 2010 1:40AM]

@spin cycle

Next up: a patch for PSP 1000, 2000 and 3000 so they can't use UMDs.

[nullifie Posted Mar 29th 2010 1:46AM]

@Napsterking That e-mail is from August 2009 when Slim's were released without the "other OS" feature, the situation has changed now.

[Twitchy Posted Mar 29th 2010 1:52AM]

@spin cycle

Release date: April 1st. 'Nuff said fools.

[Petro Posted Mar 29th 2010 6:33AM]

@Twitchy

+1 April fools

[BMills Posted Mar 29th 2010 7:38AM]

Where can I sign up for that class action lawsuit at?

Sony will owe me $80 for the Yellow Dog Linux retail disc I bought and wont be able to use any more.

[PrinceAli Posted Mar 29th 2010 8:55AM]

@BMills
you paid for it? Wow.

[peetuhr Posted Mar 29th 2010 10:12AM]

@spin cycle I called playstation this is an april fools joke!! :D:D:D:D

[pankomputerek Posted Mar 29th 2010 2:53PM]

@AaronX My blu-ray on ps3 is already dead tanks to the update!

[Ebonwumon Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:34PM]

What. The. Hell.

Anger.

[XGM Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:58PM]

@Ebonwumon Yea I damn hope its a april fools joke.

[Ebonwumon Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:03PM]

@Ebonwumon Anyone wanna buy a PS3?

[angelwolf Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:16PM]

@Ebonwumon ill buy for $5 :D

[jzetz Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:21PM]

@Ebonwumon
I might hold a PS3 bonfire, where everyone rebels against Sony's decision by burning their PS3's

[Sogeking Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:28PM]

@jzetz

That'll void your warranty, I'm sure of it.

[Sogeking Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:28PM]

@jzetz

That'll void your warranty, I'm sure of it.

[Sogeking Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:30PM]

@jzetz

That'll void your warranty, I'm sure of it.

[Cy Starkman Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:07PM]

@Sogeking

Do you get 3 warranties with a PS3?

[Sogeking Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:10PM]

@Cy Starkman

It's Engadget's advanced commenting system, now requiring a random (greater than 1) number of clicks to get my comment through.

[JorgeS18 Posted Mar 28th 2010 11:28PM]

@Eli Haj

Guess they'll have to change the slogan to "It used to do everything"

[HawtDawg Posted Mar 29th 2010 6:37AM]

@Ebonwumon

My ps3 used to be phat, now it is just fat :(

[AlfeG Posted Mar 29th 2010 8:39AM]

@Ebonwumon Thanks to Geohot )

[bullshitexpresscom Posted Mar 29th 2010 9:30AM]

@jzetz RROF (Red Ring Of Fire)?

Anyone who doesn't want their PS3's, I'll take all the working ones you have for $50 each.

[WickedEast Posted Mar 29th 2010 11:40AM]

@XGM

Engadget says: "This is "not an April fools joke," as the PlayStation Europe blog clarifies."

Yet, I could not find where PS Europe blog actually says it's not an April fools joke.

C'mon Engadget, WHERE do they say it is NOT an April fools joke???

[Steven Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:35PM]

I still play PS2 Games on my BC Compatible PS3 =D

[IcerC Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:36PM]

@Steven
Sorry to inform you but 3.3 will disable that feature.

[dez Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:41PM]

@IcerC

I hear 3.4 will remove support for DVD playback, and 4.0 removes support for Blu-ray. This will ensure the success of the new PS3 Go.

[zeroleonheart Posted Mar 28th 2010 9:56PM]

@dez lol It will make an awesome PSone when that update hits.

[zeroleonheart Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:00PM]

@dez lol It's going to make an awesome PSone when that update hits.

[Why should I have all the fun Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:10PM]

@dez

I heard 3.5 will purposely brick the console but not before flashing a graphic of a huge middle finger.

[tycoon177 Posted Mar 28th 2010 10:17PM]

@dez Where did you hear this? Can you provide a link?