Linux support dropped from PS3 Firmware 3.21

http://ca.kotaku.com/5504145/xbox-live-directors-account-hacked-are-you-next

I really never used it that much for this this. I tried, but it didn't seem very optimized for the ps3 at all, but I still feel kinda ripped off for Sony doing this.

Don't worry the June 24th update will fix everything.

http://us.playstation.com/support/systemupdates/ps3/history/index.htm

Apparently everything else was fixed on that day.

Does no one else find it wierd, if not strangly ironic, that they are deciding to do this on April 1st. It's like one giant April fools joke on those that use the Linux support feature.

PS3: It only did everything.

Can they even technically do this legally?

Can you really say "oh you can install another OS blahblahblah" at the point of sale to only turn around and remove it from the system?

I have a feeling there is going to be the inevitable class action lawsuit pop up. I guess the class action lawsuit will cost a lot less than losing a huge amount of sales to piracy but still, Sony this is a low blow.

Unfortunately they can get away with this claiming it's an optional update. Sure the refusal to do such an update means that you can't play newer games or access PSN, but those are optional features.

Remember, options are optional.

@Trunks

Until you try to play a game that requires the latest firmware. I'm not so sure they can avoid a lawsuit here... and one they may lose.

@Huskercubfan
This is still the better alternative to mass piracy on the system. I'd prefer for the PS3 to avoid the PSP's current state.

I am sure the EULA covers this. Sony has good lawyers. The Root kit thing was not run past the lawyers and people lost their job screwing that up. This issue has been run through marketing, legal, etc etc etc.

They reserve the right to take away all the stuff they promised you, and they no longer support or advertise this feature. I realize that is a dumb way to have the law... what they promise should not be removed ever. And I think it's dishonorable. But I bet it's somehow covered.

Except SACD, PS2, and now EVERYTHING other.

Seriously. I bought the model of PS3 I have knowing that PS2 support was dropped, too bad but they weren't selling any that had it then. I was rather surprised to find that it also did not have SACD support as well. I have ONE SACD hybrid to try. :(

I want the functionality of the unit I bought, not less.

@Gimboa

Except EULAs have never been proven to be enforceable and I'm sure consumer protection laws must overrule them, it's just that they have never been tested in court, so perhaps now is the chance.

Sony marketed the PS3 as an all-purpose computer from the beginning. For years up to its launch, Sony made sure that the PS3 could serve as your personal computer, home automation center and multimedia, livingroom game machine.

How can Sony, who advertised this as a computer remove a key component of its functionality? This is distinctly different from removing an interesting feature from the PS3. This is equivalent to HP selling the MediaSmart touch PC, and then years later, limit its functions to buying stuff on the HP site and playing Netflix. Sony has a particularly difficult road ahead because of its marketing campaign.

Wikipedia lists this link to the original gamespot.com article that references this in the Yellow Dog Linux for the PS3 manual:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162316.html?tag=result;title;0

Anyone out there have any other "PS3 is a computer" quotes?

I myeself have installed both Fedora and YDL on my PS3 and purchased a larger hard drive for it. It didn't die because of lack of interest, but because the PS3 linux was based off of the powerpc architechture, which piggybacked off of Mac development. Lack of updates for things such as browsers, flash, and other multimedia platforms made me switch back to my desktop, but I was always hoping that support for flash and updated browsers would trickle down from the xmb side of things to the otheros.

This was a dumb move, Sony. Its as dumb as your "you can back up your videos, but you can't use them if you change your hard drive" move. I don't buy movies from the PSN for that reason.

Funny comment, I can see why a few people would be miffed by this. I don't personally care mainly because the PS3 still does more than any other console on the market.

@Kurian say what?

Kurian, go f*ck yourself

"Until you try to play a game that requires the latest firmware. I'm not so sure they can avoid a lawsuit here... and one they may lose."

How the hell could this be a lawsuit? How is this not legal? If something they included has been used to potentially ruin their market, there is nothing illegal about being proactive and removing the "feature"(hardly) that enables it.

Americans are incredibly ignorant when it comes to what rights they have and what they feel they're entitled to. THE WORLD DOES NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING. This includes companies that exist to profit, IE Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft. At any point they can remove whatever features they want from anything they create. They have the right to manage their business in such a way that encourages profits. Get over yourselves.

@Punkrawk Bbob

How is it not legal to remove features that you paid for when you purchased an item? Are you serious? Your point about the "world' not owing us anything is just plain stupid. I didn't pay the "world" anything. However, I did pay Sony for a PS3 with the "Install Other OS" feature.

In many countries it's illegal to do this. You can't advertise features, get consumers to buy your product based on those features, and then remove those features after the sale. Using your logic Sony should be able to release an update that removes the ability to play all PS3 games.

Sony may try to use some loophole like claiming the update is optional, but I don't think that will work. As I pointed out above, you need the latest firmware to play some of the latest games and movies. So they're putting the consumer in the position where they have to choose between two advertised features... using the "Other OS" feature or playing the latest games and movies.

If it were illegal there be thousands of lawsuits for every old PC game that has since dropped server support.

Give the nerd raging hyperbole a rest.

@Simstim

Apples and oranges. Those online servers are owned and maintained by the developer or publisher and it's unreasonable to expect them to be up forever. COMPLETELY different than this situation.

Uh no, Sony owns and operates the playstation network and you are not required to update your system to use.

I'm a software engineer and have been known to be somewhat of a Linux nerd in the past, but I probably won't miss this feature. The only reason I can think of to put linux on your PS3 is to have fun with programming for Cell. Aside from that you're better off with any modern PC.

I bought PS3 for the games, which is what I like to spend my limited free time doing, not doing (more) programming!

It pisses me off that they would remove something like this, but it seems like it's always one step forward, two steps back with Sony. What a schizophrenic company!

@simstim

"Uh no, Sony owns and operates the playstation network and you are not required to update your system to use."

Did you even read my previous posts? Yes, they can claim it's optional, but one of the other listed features of the upcoming update is that it is required to play some new games and movies. So they are forcing the consumer to choose between features. You lose something either way you go.

But that has nothing to do with legal issues.

Sony isn't required to provide new features to its customers.

The only grounds for a potential lawsuit would be false advertising on the older PS3 model since Sony advertised the Other OS option. But that argument doesn't hold water because there are plenty of online-only games out there, advertised as such, that no longer have server support.

It is not required to download firmware updates for games if you aren't connected to the internet. There is no way you can spin this to say that firmware updates are required for basic use of the system. When you sign up for the PSN you have to agree to certain conditions.

I never used Linux on my PS3 and neither did the vast majority of users (I have to believe), so this affects a very small percentage of users. It might suck for them but Sony is looking out for its interests, and if Sony wishes to remove Linux functionality it can via an optional firmware upgrade.

Gah... it's like you don't even read my posts.

"The only grounds for a potential lawsuit would be false advertising on the older PS3 model since Sony advertised the Other OS option."

Exactly. That's my entire point.


"But that argument doesn't hold water because there are plenty of online-only games out there, advertised as such, that no longer have server support."

Again with the apples to oranges comparison. Online games rely on servers that aren't owned by the consumer. It's not reasonable to expect companies to maintain online games servers indefinitely, especially since they own them, not the consumer. This is nothing like removing an advertised, offline feature. Nothing.

It's apples to apples. You can still use your PS3 for linux, to play games, and watch movies for as long as you want.

What you are not entitled to is to access the playstation network, operated and owned by Sony without agreeing to their terms. Sony is not required by law to provide you with online access or new features, now or in pertuity, same as any company offering server support for their software, even if said product is advertised as such to include online support.

"It's apples to apples. You can still use your PS3 for linux, to play games, and watch movies for as long as you want."

Dammit... would you please read everything? If you don't accept the update you are penalized by not being able to play some of the latest games and movies. This is straight from Sony's own mouth.

Being able to play all PS3 games is a perfectly reasonable expectation on the consumer's end. But by not accepting this update you lose that ability. This has nothing to do with PSN. I agree that they have the right to control PSN access. But this is an OFFLINE feature they are removing. And if you don't accept the update you not only lose the ability to access PSN (which I think is fine), you also lose the ability to play some games and movies in the future. This is why I think they are on shaky legal ground. The consumer loses no matter what option they choose.

You are not legally entitled to those extra features which is what you don't seem to get.

BTW firmware support for games and movies are a part of the PSN.

So you think it's OK for a company to release a product with a list of features and then at a later date release an update that removes half those features if you accept it or cuts you out of the other half if you don't? This will certainly be challenged in court and I personally think Sony has a good chance of losing.

"You are not legally entitled to those extra features which is what you don't seem to get."

What extra features? New games??? How is the ability to play new games a new feature? Reasonable expectation matters quite a bit in legal matters and I think it's reasonable to expect to be able to play all PS3 games when you buy a PS3. Forcing consumers to choose between continuing to play new games and losing features they've had since they bought the system is highly distasteful and legally questionable IMO.

PS3 - it used to do everything.

You can play new games without connecting the the network, der.

@vidikron

actually sony can do this and we cant do nothing about it...
guys even though we own the console the software (the os) is still their property...
which basically gives them the right to do whatever they deem necessary

@simstim

"You can play new games without connecting the the network, der."

OK, here we have the problem. You clearly don't understand firmware. Some new games and movies require the new firmware to play games online OR offline. It's like this on all the systems. Usually games like that will come with the new firmware on the disc and will force the user to update before they can play. Normally it's not a big deal because you aren't losing other features in the process.

PS3: It once did everything

@ Vidikron

"then at a later date release an update that removes half those features if you accept it or cuts you out of the other half if you don't?"

Bit of a stretch no? It only takes out Linux support for all we know. You seem to be over exaggerating a bit over it. Don't get me wrong though, I'll feel bad for those who have used it, who has dedicated a lot of use into the function who might feel its still important. However, I hate people who make situations sound WAY worse than it actually is.

Yeah, it's not literally half, but I was just making a point to show how ridiculous his position is. But you are still being forced to choose between keeping your Other OS feature or the ability to play newer games.

@Vid

You are making an awful lot of assumptions here. AFAIK optional firmware updates still allow PSN access. Mandatory PSN updates are required for PSN and game access. This is likely the case in this instance. Would you rather they let this go on and the PS3 fall victim to massive piracy? You have to pick your battles and in this case I think a secure platform is greater than the ability to run linux. Does firmware updates even come on PS3 games or is it only through PSN? I'm not following the logic that this will disallow the use of any singular game offline. Personally, I think they should do it before there is a problem and just deal with the whatever small backlash is out there. Maybe 95% of PS3 owners don't even know they can install Linux.

@Tigre

No assumptions at all. It's spelled out on both the EU and US PlayStation blogs. If you do the update you will have the Other OS feature removed. If you do not do the update you will lose access to PSN and will be unable to play games and movies that require the 3.21 update.

And, to be clear, I'm going to do the update. I don't use the Other OS feature and I'd be surprised if even over 1% of PS3 owners did. But that's not the point. The point is that they are removing an out-of-the-box feature that has been on the systems since launch and a selling point for some people whether or not many actually used it. It's the principle.

Imagine if it was a different feature. Let's say they discovered that the PS2 BC in the launch systems had a potential hacking vulnerability and released and update that killed PS2 BC on all systems. Would this be acceptable to you? It's the same thing.

@Vid

So it'll basically be new games / movies released after that point? I guess firmware does come on discs then because someone without internet access who just plays games offline would never be able to update if that were the case. If they're doing it to prevent potential piracy and not some other functionality they plan to sell that can be done free through Linux then I'm OK with it. It's a pretty hard line in the sand they've drawn which kind of signifies to me that there must be serious security concerns at the moment. I suppose they removed it from the slim for a reason, after all the functionality was never available on that version.

I see what you're saying and even though I agree with you in terms of the principal of the matter (taking promised features away and punishing early adopters) I can still understand why this is something they are having to do.

It seems I was making some assumptions and not you. All apologies!

How you feel about the principle of it doesn't change the legality of it.

And every game is playable out of the box without any firmware updates, name me one game where that is not true.

And I will repeat myself one.last.time. you are not entitled to further software upgrades or online support from Sony for your PS3 unless it is stipulated in your warranty, which it is not. And if you tried to argue that it front of a judge you'd be laughed out of court.

There is no legal case here, and you know it. So you are trying to turn this whole debate on its head now make it about "principle" all of a sudden.

"And every game is playable out of the box without any firmware updates, name me one game where that is not true."

Ratchet & Clank A Crack in Time requires 3.01.

I think there is a case here and I'm sure Sony is going to be challenged on this. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

@ruibing
"This is still the better alternative to mass piracy on the system. I'd prefer for the PS3 to avoid the PSP's current state."

There's piracy on the Wii, DS, and 360 too (not to mention it's a hell of a lot easier to install homebrew/pirated games on all 3 compared to PSP)...point?

Thanks for the 50 emails jerks.

You're welcome, deaftly.

@Simstim

"And every game is playable out of the box without any firmware updates, name me one game where that is not true."

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. I had FW 3.1 when it came out. Tried to launch the game AND IT WOULD NOT LAUNCH. Asked me to instal FW 3.15. SO you fail. I don't think any of your arguements hold any water. Your main arguement being us not being entiled to future software upgrades doesn't even make sense. The bottom line is no matter what we do, we lose functionality in one way or another. It is illegal for them to do this. Though like you say, they do own rights to change the FW how they see fit, which is why this would make a good lawsuit. You know lawsuits usually have parties that are both right, that's why we go to court to see who is more right? K? It's not always black and white.