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18 May 2010Sony’s upgrade downgrade
Sony's latest firmware upgrade of the PlayStation 3 console has some of our members complaining. One upgrade in particular, 3.21, was released in April and instead of adding or enhancing functions it removed one.
The original PS3 consoles were advertised with the ability for users to install any operating system (OS) they wanted. Many people used this function to install one of the free Linux-based OS. Then Sony released the PS3 Slim in 2009.
The Slim was never able to support another OS and the 3.2.1 update brought the two systems into alignment. Sony said the reason for removing the "other OS" option was due to security concerns. But it has angered many users who see this as downgrading their PS3 and changing a product so it can no longer do what it was advertised as doing.
Sadly the PlayStation Terms of Service contains this section:
11. MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES
From time to time, it may become necessary for SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) to provide certain content to you to ensure that Sony Online Services and content offered through Sony Online Services, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system or other SCEA-authorized hardware is functioning properly in accordance with SCEA guidelines. ... Such content may include automatic updates or upgrades which may change your current operating system, cause a loss of data or content or cause a loss of functionalities or utilities ... You authorize SCEA to provide such content and agree that SCEA shall not be liable for any damages, loss of data or loss of functionalities arising from provision of such content or maintenance services.
This terms of service agreement means Sony can change the content it offers.
For the majority of users this won't be much of a problem, but if you’re one of those who have installed another OS or if you wish to keep the “other OS” functionality then your only course of action seems to be to not install any update after 3.2.1. But this means you’ll be unable to access the PlayStation Network and some blu-ray playback functionality won't work. So it's a Catch 22.
Hadyn Green - Technical Writer
Comments
I have a Slim unit that never had the Other OS option, but it's a pretty poor move by Sony who were obviously spooked by the recent successful (but convoluted) "cracking" of the PS3.
The removal of the Other OS feature has had major implications for several organisations, including one branch of the US military that bought several thousand PS3 consoles to use as a giant supercomputing cluster. Although they don't use PSN and have no need to install the update, it does mean that they also have no reliable source of replacement PS3 units, as the replacements would probably have this update applied.
Besides, Linux running on the Cell was just awesome for the sake of it. Sony just lost a lot of geek cred.
Hi there What happens when you do the update only to find Im having nothing but problems and now My PS3 it not starting up. I have tried ringing Sony Playstation Support and they keep telling me that it is a hardware problem and that I need to purchase a new Playstation 3 because My playstation no longer is waranted. I myself believe that the Update has cuased nothing but problems.
Since I have downloaded this update, my PS3 slim struggled to read dual layered blu ray discs untill it finally stopped reading them all together. Very disappointed with Sony.
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