Linux on Playstation PS3 will be no more.

[meton_magis]

Sony is removing the option to install Linux on PS3s with the next firmware update, and any existing install will be deleted.

PS3 Firmware (v3.21) Update – PlayStation Blog

This is a sad day for anyone who bought a PS3, and expected to be able to use the features they paid for.

It IS scheduled for April first, so could be a horrible April fools day joke, but I doubt that is the case. Sony not including it on the slim model was the first sign that they were looking for any reason to ax it on the early models.

[psic]

They've already said somewhere that it is not an April Fool's joke.

I don't have a PS3, but I love hackable gadgets - and I wish they stayed hackable.

[meton_magis]

They've already said somewhere that it is not an April Fool's joke.

I don't have a PS3, but I love hackable gadgets - and I wish they stayed hackable.

Even though the environment was severely crippled (no GPU access, only a limited portion of the CPU, and hard drive was limited), it was still an interesting feature.

However, I'm not angry that they chose to not include this feature in the slim model, or that they chose to no longer support it. I'd be angry that people paid for this feature, and then they can decide to remove it after the item has already been sold. Someone needs to sue them, or demand refunds. SOMETHING, but this is outrageous that a company can use software updates to render hardware that you bought unable to do something that you may have paid for.

[vfastbear]

I also have a ps3, I really only use it to watch video`s on, as part of my home
theatre.
I did go on line with it once or twice to download games and generally just have
a look around its system but have not done that in a very long time.
I have since removed its link to my wireless router and thought that was the end
to upgrades. How wrong I was, yes, as time goes by I loaded a DVD into the ps3
and the ps3 tells me its got an old bios/rom setup and won`t play the disk.
You guessed it, the DVD was from the Sony Group. The DVD in the ps3 however
kindly offers to upgrade the ps3 system which given no options, I accept. The upgrade takes place, the ps3 is happy and the DVD then plays.... So there, Sony is
loading software into its video DVD`s to interrogate your ps3.
You Will Upgrade.
Vfastbear

[meton_magis]

and people say that DRM only affects PC gamers. As consoles start becoming as capable as PCs, it will affect everyone.

Looks like sony will be joining my list of companies I buy nothign from, joining EA and Ubisoft for their DRM stances. I'm sure there are others deserving, and more will be added, but for now they're all I can think of.

[minimike86]

Hello Guys,

Im trying to form a gaming comumunity on facebook around the issue of PlayStations new 3.21 firmware, if we can get enough members and we are able show a large enough fan base for the retaining of the OtherOS while also being able to access the PSN were hoping Sony will reinstate the feature. Its a long shot but if you guys here at LinuxForums could join the group and also pass the link around hopefully we can at least do something.

Gamers Against the PlayStation? v3.21 "Other OS" Firmware Update
facebook.com/group.php?gid=107165099316102

(sorry i cant post links yet)

Many Kind Regards
Mike

[psic]

Can't help there as I'm not on Facebook. Also, I'm usually quite skeptical of on-line petitions - they rarely influence anything :S

[hazel]

I read that there is already a workaround for this, created by the same hacker (GeoHot) whose exploits are supposed to have caused Sony to make this change.

[ashu_crazyboy1994]

DAMM! i was goin to buy one but hearing this i will give it second thoughts!

[ryokimball]

I read that there is already a workaround for this, created by the same hacker (GeoHot) whose exploits are supposed to have caused Sony to make this change.

Yeah, GeoHot was the guy that cracked the encryption used on the PS3 (and many other systems...), thereby allowing access to the stuff meton_magis mentioned.

Sony's response was to say "screw you" and lock everyone out.

GeoHot's response is asking everyone to decline the update while he makes a fix (he may have already done so... I don't remember. I don't have a ps3 so I don't keep tabs very well).

Btw GeoHot is also the guy that jailbroke the iPhone, and has done a number of other things.