This Thursday PlayStation 3 owners who install a firmware update will find that the ability to run other operating systems – such as Linux – will be removed. Most people won’t even notice, but hacker Geohot is already working on a fix.
He was instrumental in jailbreaking the iPhone, and then moved on to creating magic for the PS3. To say he’s upset about Sony’s upcoming firmware update is an understatement, but he’s taken to his blog to urge readers “DO NOT UPDATE.”
“When 3.21 comes out, I will look into a safe way of updating to retain OtherOS support, perhaps something like Hellcat’s Recovery Flasher.”
Try and keep the firmware update at bay until Geohot releases his fix, but be warned – there’s obvious dangers with hacking any product, and while the installation of Sony’s update is optional, you won’t be able to sign into the PSN or play Blu-rays or games that require v3.21 or higher to work. [Geohot via UberGizmo]
Andrew Craick
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 1:28 PMI use linux and am not really happy with Sony’s latest failings.
PS3 is the perfect MAME box amongst other things and if Sony wern’t such a bunch of jerks you could use it to easily stream HD video i.e. allow video accel. I say easily because you can unlock the remaining cores and start using them for video acceleration via the correct kernel and patches etc.
PS3 Linux is actually really kick ass. If only there was a good Linux installer that came built with all the acceleration goodness, chatpad, BT remote support etc.
I’m guessing we will shortly see a modchip or a kernel hack for the PS3 that allows bypass of the Sony OS completely and Sony will have only themselves to blame.
Michael
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 9:09 PMI use Linux on the PS3 and I’m pretty pissed off. I am also of the opinion that by doing this Sony may be breaking Australian consumer laws as well. The ability to run Linux was a feature touted by Sony when it launched. Whether you accept the upgrade or not the expected functionality of the console as it was sold is arbitarily reduced through no fault of the consumer. It is not same as when a consumer modifies a console from the manufacturers specifications. It would be like taking your car in for service and having the dealer disable a gear.
The Statutory Warranty does not expire and survives expressed warranties and conditions. It is also in force for a ‘reasonable time’. In this case I would argue that while-ever Sony maintains control over the particular functions of the PS3 then the Statutory Warranty pertaining to those functions is still in effect. This information can be found on the NSW Fair Trading website.
If you return the PS3 to the place of purchase citing the disabled functions as the reason you are returning it you are entitled to a full refund.