The PS3 Non-Update: 3.21 Firmware Takes Away Alternate OS Option

Sony just released details about its upcoming 3.21 firmware update and Linux fans won’t be happy. It seems like the sum total effect of this update is to remove ability to install another operating system on the PS3.

The thing about removing the Install Other OS functionality is that it doesn’t quite make sense. Since you’d have to partition the PS3’s hard drive to install any alternate operating system, it wouldn’t necessarily affect the way the PS3 functions as a game or media machine. Sony cites “security concerns” as the reason for removing the feature, but the PS3’s been this generation least-hacked game console.

With this announcement, Sony backtracks on yet another ballyhooed feature used to entice buyers at the system’s launch. Backwards compatibility–seen by some as essential for bridging the transition between consoles–was wiped out with the shift to PS3 Slim. Install Other OS was one of those features that made Sony seem like a forward-thinking company that was aiming at technophiles, who’d be drawn to the power of the machine’s Cell processor. Of course, you can choose not install the 3.21 update, but you’ll risk being left in the dust as far as the core functionality of your console goes.

What do you think, readers? Is this a big deal? Did anyone out there have a PS3 running another OS?

Hospital Live-Tweets Entire Open Heart Surgery [WARNING: GRAPHIC]

There are many times when it is inappropriate to tweet. At dinner, for one. In the middle of a movie. And, in most cases, open heart surgery. Dr. Paresh Patel, however, had a good reason to tweet during a 57-year-old patient’s double-coronary artery bypass — to create awareness for Heart Month, an initiative to prevent heart attacks and strokes in the United States. Be advised that this post contains graphic medical photos and videos.

thebonafortuna

I’m amazed they’re doing this. As a loyal PS3 and PSP fan, many decisions Sony has made over the last year are incomprehensible and indefensible. I’m not a Linux guy, and there’s approximately 0.0% chance I’d ever install Linux on my PS3 – but it was a great differential between the consoles that Sony allowed and encouraged Linux fans to embrace the hardware.

- PSP Go: don’t provide way to copy UMDs onto new hardware: brilliant;
- PS3: “it only does everything” EXCEPT PLAY GAMES FOR PS2 – that’s a pretty big deal Sony, you should be ashamed of yourselves;
- PS3: no more Linux support

I still love the hardware and games, and this isn’t enough to make me consider moving over to M$ (they’re just as bad or worse in all these respects), but this is certainly disappointing.
midpipps

I had mine running Yellow Dog used it to do some cell development testing. This really sucks but I can totally see where Sony is coming from.

I am pretty sure this is a direct link to a linux user or two getting close to being able to circumvent the copy protection. So because some guy wants to crack the ps3 and open it up to piracy the rest of us suffer.

Same reason backwards compatibility was yanked was because people complained about price and Sony had to find some way to lower the cost.