PS3 firmware 3.50 disables some USB peripherals, consumers report

@UseSplash

No, this is pretty standard stuff. Nintendo, MS, Sega... they don't go out of their way to support unlicensed stuff.

This is acceptable to me. I've complained loudly about Other OS removal, but in this case, Sony has no obligation to any peripheral someone jams in their PS3. If you rely on that kind of thing, part of the reason it's usually so cheap is that it's not as reliable.

Hah!, I called this when they ran the story about the usb hack.
Next Sony will come out with a patch the explodes 3rd party controllers... oh wait..

@UseSplash


Well, now we know how sony was trying to "stop" jailbreak, just make the stupid usb not to work. I can imagine what´s next: "sony lowers the price of the ps3!!! 5 bucks less!!!! oh!!!.....and no usb ports".

@(Unverified) You shouldn't be concerned unless you have a knockoff controller made to look like a real ds3 or some rapidfire hacked crap to help you with your lackluster aim like the ones I have seen for sale for the xbox. Sony will never disable the USB ports you souless troll. How would the damn eye toy work? How would you register your controller if you use it on another console at a friends house? Sometimes being cheap with electronics makes you pay in the long run.

@Metalfacedoom

Many here have pointed correctly that counterfeit controllers are not new, they have been on the PS3 forever, It is no coincidence that the USB peripheral blocking firmware came out in the shadow of a jailbreak that requires a USB peripheral to function. Of course a ps3 fanboy like you who bends over as many times as sony asks you to, is not going to see the facts. It´s very funny that they did nothing for months, but as soon as jailbreaks appears then the "problem" appears by magic, they can protect their console as much as they want, but people don´t have to pay the price just because sony now sees that their "pirate-proof" console is not as safe as they said.

@(Unverified)
they wont remove usb ports... afterall its needed for the pseye which is required to use move to its full potential

@(Unverified) @(Unverified) You fckin' moron, I'm no fan boy. If Sony decided to disable bootleg controllers so be it. You know damn well what you are getting into when you buy flimsy non licensed products. I've known that since the NES days. Most of the time the stuff doesn't last +1 year of usage. That's like defending fake rolex watch makers and expecting Sony to honor the warranty. You speak about it like it's a fact as if Sony called your house and gave you the low down. Here is a FACT, They will NEVER disable USB ports. They have not made a statement that it was intentional and if it was so be it. They have a right to protect their interests after all they are in it for the money just like everyone else. You don't like it ? Sell your console.

@UseSplash
I think Sony is aiming at direct knockoffs of the Dualshock - not legit unique gameware like the FRAGFX V2 - Which incidentally works perfect even after the update -

-all the other current SPLITFISH gear works too.
I think some of the (ironically) pirate (yes - someone in china has been pirating an old version 1 of discontinued splitfish product from a few years back) don't work - I think the bannco stuff they copied from Splitfish was also knocked out.

I can tell you for sure the FRAGFX V2, PRO, EVO and SHARKBETA all operate perfectly after the new Sony update.

I know that the design of the FRAGFX is to compliment FPS on the PS3 and give FPS PC crossover gamers a reason to play on PS3 - It's not competition to Sony.

@(Unverified) You're a clown, you seem to not get it through your thick troll head that SONY will NEVER disable USB. What are you dense? Do you realize in order for the MOVE to work the PS EYE TOY needs to be connected to the USB port? You think it works on pixie dust alone? When you grow up maybe you will realize that life is not fair, things you think should be a certain way are going to be the opposite.

By the way, Why don't you post your PSN ID here if you have a PS3? Just so you know the 360 doesn't allow HD's that are not theirs. Don't even allow a USB wifi antenna that is not theirs for those older models that don't have antennas built in. Yet SONY is the only one in your eyes? All corporations do these things to protect their intellectual property. Apple does it as well. It's not new, Nintendo always pushed for people to buy products with the seal of quality.

Put a bunch of cheap parts in your car and when it breaks down you know who to blame. You spend big-money on a console yet you want to nickel and dime on a controller that helps you control the games by buying bootleg crap? Your whole argument is flawed. You expect bootleg games and movies to work as well on all platforms? Do your self a favor don't embarrass your fear mongering self anymore. All I know my DS3 works great 2 years and counting.

@Bumper

That's very strange, as the USB port should be sending current out, and that's all the controller needs. It should charge even if there are severe software problems.

Your PS3 may be damaged. If you're using different USB cables, I'd switch and see. I'd also see if that USB port is able to send current to anything.

@Dustin F

I think it's a controller issue because even when fully charged it will just "cut out".

@Bumper
Have you tried the reset button underneath the controller? This has been known to correct connection issues after FW updates before.

@MrAdam

I own the XCM Cross Battle Plus Adapter. It has turbo function but isn't really turbo, more like a continuous effect. The best part of the adapter, it allows you to use a 360 controller on the PS3.

@MrAdam - Yes. They aren't very effective in multiplayer FPS's though, and I still can't understand why people use them. What point is there in a pistol firing an entire clip instantly if only the first bullet is on target due to the recoil? You're better off aiming like everyone else, and conserving ammo.

@BananaBoat You can aim lower (say, at the chest) and your recoil will cause the gun to go up. You'll hit the person plenty of times and will probably score a headshot. I don't know for certain since I don't have a Turbo controller (or any desire to have one) but I imagine this is the case.

@NIck PSN ID Rattlehead91 - You could just aim at the head to begin with though =/

It uses one bullet instead of an entire clip.

@BananaBoat This might put an end to all those crappy made Gamestop controllers that they sell people.

@BananaBoat

Yeah, there is a widespread problem with fake PS3 controllers out there. Thousands of people have bought them, thinking they were legitimate.

You can use google, ya know.

Sony hasn't disabled their USB ports. The console is great, and it should be no surprise that you can't rely on unlicensed peripherals. It's been that way since the 1980s.

@Griefy - The things people will buy to save a buck... =/

@Dustin F - Since this story arose, the only thing that comes up in a google search of "Counterfeit PS3 controller" is a bunch of articles about how a counterfeit controller could possibly explode. If counterfeit controllers were a problem on the PS3, they could have been dealt with long ago. It is no coincidence that the USB peripheral blocking firmware came out in the shadow of a jailbreak that requires a USB peripheral to function. I understand why they'd want to block jailbreakers, but to hide it behind "exploding third party controllers" is a joke.

@BananaBoat The exploding wireless controllers in question are not USB, they are Bluetooth.

@BananaBoat

Bull. On the first page is a youtube viid from 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mji_PLB7Tb0

And several reports from 2009

http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/09/28/dualshocked-and-burned-by-counterfiet-ps3-controllers/
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Trust-Safety-Safe/Found-Out-Ps3/520148481

Fake PS3 controllers have been an issue since right about the time the white controller came out.

@Magetf +1 for you my good sir. Myth busted!

@Magetf -

I read three or four different gaming blogs a day, and I frequent various forums. This is the first I have ever heard of a counterfeit PS3 controller problem. Does that mean it doesn't exist? No. That a USB functionality limiting firmware update comes out right after a USB based jailbreak is highly suspect though. In my opinion anyway.

@BananaBoat

I bought a bootleg controller off ebay. It worked pretty good. It really didn't hold a charge as long as a legit PS3 controller, but it worked fine.

Its probably a good idea to ban these things. Never know what is in it. Might corrupt the entire system.

@imtheman - I'm sorry that you got scammed. I've long since sworn off buying anything from Ebay because I've decided that it just isn't worth the risk.

I guess if you have one of the potentially exploding controllers, this update could be a good thing. It most certainly isn't a good thing for the people with other (functioning) unlicensed controllers though. I'd rather have a functioning (yet unlicensed) controller than a controller that was bricked "for my protection".

This is coming from someone that is still too cheap to trade in his sixaxis controllers for Dualshock 3's.

@BananaBoat

You do understand that this doesn't disable USB ports, right? It blocks some unlicensed products, keeping the USB ports active and working.

@ferret - We can't really know that for sure without the code. A USB hub (which is what the dongle emulates) would certainly count as an "unlicensed USB accessory" anyway.

@BananaBoat Still using my USB Rock Band controllers over here.

@wcarnation - I would imagine that those are licensed, though I don't know for sure.

@SHAD0Ws Revenge

Run to Xbox? And yet you were asking people to play Halo with you in a prior comment.

Are people still playing console war? How pathetic. But a PS3, man. You don't know what you're missing! Console wars are not as much fun.

@SHAD0Ws Revenge why on earth would you ever want to use a controller with less precision? I can understand the stick lay out, if you like your thumb all cocked in the wrong direction. But everything about sonys controller is much better than MS. Hold a ps contoller up side down over and xbox controller and you'll see that everything is in the same spot. Except the d pad is switched the other way around.

@SHAD0Ws Revenge
You know that the XBox doesn't allow ANY unlicensed accesories at all?

@mmmfishtacos

I know why.. because he doesn't own a PS3 and he's just being a troll jumping on the troll bandwagon that is this comment section, largely.

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar You'd think...

They came up with a scheme where the device can bypass authentication by passing-through a legit controller. Problem was you needed a legit controller too.

@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar

"You know that the XBox doesn't allow ANY unlicensed accesories at all?"

-That's a negative. Excluding racing wheels, you can plug anything on the 360 and it'll work. Microsoft just doesn't license their wireless tech, you'll have to use anything wireless with a dongle and it'll work. Thought I'd clear that up.

@Courtney - With a turbo controller, you are able to ride a bird around in Shadow of the Colossus without losing your grip meter (according to a video I watched on youtube once). That is the last interesting use of a turbo controller that I know of.

@butaneko If your imported white controller isn't working, it's because it is fake. My imported legit white controller works fine.

There are videos on YouTube that help you tell them apart.