According to a post on the Yellow Dog Linux forums, a new firmware update in the works at Sony will remove the “OtherOS†feature from older PS3 models.Owen Stampflee, one of the distributions developers said on the board that :
“I’ve caught a rumor from a reputable source that the next firmware update for old PS3s will remove the OtherOS feature…
I’m not sure if it’s true or not but it’s in the best interest of the YDL community to spread the word.â€
Sony have, in the past, promised to not remove the ability to install Linux, with Sony’s Geoff (lovely name) Levand saying :
The feature of "Install Other OS" was removed from the new
"Slim" PS3 model to focus on delivering games and other
entertainment content.Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
the support for previously sold models that have the
"Install Other OS" feature and that this feature will
not be disabled in future firmware releases.
Recent hacking attempts using Linux on the PS3 may have changed Sony’s mind a little. Id this really a big deal though? How many of you have installed Linux on your PS3’s?
Source : YellowDog Linux
Last Updated: February 19, 2010
RSA-Ace
February 19, 2010 at 13:19
Not a big deal.
And if they did change it in a fw update I bet they would just stop new users from installing OtherOS and people that already have it won’t be affected.
riezo
February 19, 2010 at 16:16
Not at all, especially considering that the latest consoles (PS3 Slims) dont feature the “OtherOs” install option.
It was only a matter of time until Sony did this.
The three people that have other OS’s on there PS3’s must be lank upset.
ewie
February 19, 2010 at 19:18
I don’t see this happening at all.
SOny will open them up for a class-action lawsuit in the US. Taking something away even if only a few people is using it is not a good pr move.
adrianw
February 20, 2010 at 16:26
As a user who has a launch PS3 and have installed linux I would take a very dim view (and a posible legal challenge) if they tried to remove a feature from my machine (i own it and therefore they have no right to remove a feature that I bought it for) so sony, if you are considering this as a way to stop hacking I suggest that you think again on they way you stop hacking before you get yourseves into another legal challenge (remember rootkit anyone?).