Following Sony’s release of the PlayStation 3 in 2006, the entire gaming scene underwent a massive overhaul. The PS3’s Blu-ray capability allowed for video game discs to store an unprecedented amount of content, and it was set to become to mainstream format of not only high-definition gaming, but movies as well.
As is done with most devices, Sony has continuously released system updates that make revisions to the PS3’s operating system and firmware, adding features such as Life with PlayStation.
Sony’s most recent update, firmware version 3.21, seems to take a step backward, however, and is causing unrest in the PlayStation community. The update removes the option in older models to install an alternative operating system such as Linux, which enables the PS3 to perform tasks such as word-processing and viewing Web browser-based video.
Little consideration has been given to those who would like to retain this feature. If owners choose not to install the firmware, they lose access to the PlayStation Network and will be unable to download any new content to their units. This includes subscription-based services, in addition to demos and game add-ons.
Even worse, games that are multiplayer-only are effectively rendered useless without network access, and users will lack the ability to update their game despite developer updates to fix glitches and expand support.
Games released in the future that require this firmware upgrade will also be rendered useless unless the user obeys.
Amazon.com issued a partial refund to a European PS3 owner after he claimed the feature on his unit had been removed. Consumer law in the U.S. doesn’t cover as wide a scope as it does in Europe, but a possible class-action lawsuit may force Sony to reinstate the capability.
The issue isn’t that users are losing the ability to install Linux on their machines, but whether a company can remove a feature after purchase. Owners must agree to what is called an “End User License Agreement” upon purchase, which explicitly states that revisions to the firmware are expected; if the agreement also says that Sony can engage in some nefarious bait-and-switch scheme, though, the agreement can be challenged in court.
When a person previously purchased a PS3, they had the ability to install an alternate operating system on their consoles. Removing a built-in system feature after the point of sale is unacceptable — especially when such a feature doesn’t adversely affect system performance.
Sony sold its customers a product with a specific set of functions. With this update, however, it is replacing that product with a different one lacking the same functionality.
Patrick Levy is a communication freshman and may be reached at [email protected]
No, there won’t be any discussion.
You do understand why Sony have had to do this? Using an exploit contained within other OS the console had been hacked. Piracy was the death of the PSP so can you really blame Sony or is it the fault of hackers?
I thought the death of the PSP was two fold
1) The PSP sucked
2) The Nintendo DS was much better
Though I’m not happy with this new update, Many can’t really fault Sony for protecting their assets. This is still about business as much as we consumers seem to dislike it. The hacking and pirating of games really hurts more than just the companies but other consumers as well. Now thats been said this really do suck I really like having linux, which let me do a lot of other things on the PS3, meaning barely having to get off it. and the PS3 browsers isn’t my favorite to use… and another thing I wished Sony would consider that NOT everyone is hacking the system. Not being able to update further if you do not wish to lose what you have had this past few years and not being able to log on PSN is rather stupid.
I’m sure you know Sony had to take this action because of an exploit that allowed for hackers to do just that, HACK. But I still agree; not being able to sign in to PSN is ridiculously wrong.
Sony needs to re-think the consequences of not updating, because it is even possible to hack the update file and make the system “think” it is on the latest firmware when it’s actually not, which would allow for online access.
Sony did the wrong thing by allowing those features to be lost by not updating.
You have to remember, Sony pioneered products that enable piracy – it seems kind of ironic that they’re now one of the foremost anal companies around.
The “hack” that was discovered for the ps3 requires substancial knowledge, modification and luck to perform – it didn’t allow the playing of pirated games it just opened up more resources from the console.
Sony have done themselves out of sales, at least from me – no blu-rays, no more games, no more accessories, after all I don’t want to be taking back a new game or movie to the store because my player wasn’t updated to a firmware revision mandated by the media it was on. It’s a good thing the PS3 plays pirated content via media streaming 😀
Agreed. Also let us not forget they were the ones who made the word “rootkit” infamous when they embedded them on CD’s to be automatically installed on a computer when you play the disc. Then they tried to appease the public with a so-called “removal tool”, but it only unmasked the hidden files that were installed, but didn’t remove them. Sony is going down a slippery-slope with this feature removal.
darkbridger, the PSP’s functionality surpassed that of the DS by several milestones. One of the main contributing factors to Nintendo enjoying great sales over the PSP was PRICE. The PSP’s graphics, ability to play music and video, was unmatched by the DS.
However, this new PSP Go is purely ridiculous because it starts at a retail price of $249, which is what the original PSP-1000 started at.
For a little over $150, I can buy a new PSP 3000 and still be able to use my previous games on disc AND buy a large memory card to download digital content.
The PSP Go is ALL digital; Needless to say it needs “updated” accessories than the ones used by its predecessors.
With that said, the PSP Go is simply not worth it. We still have a long way to go in transitioning to all-digital, if that ever were to happen. Because let’s face it: There are those who will simply not give up hard copies of their content. But I digress..
this is why we forget about sony and get an xbox. problem and discussion solved.
Captain Jazzbo must be talking about the same Microsoft that required you to spend additional money on a kit that allows you to play your DVD movies on the original XBOX.
He must also be talking about the same Microsoft that doesn’t make any of their consoles with built-in wireless capability, and charge about $100 bucks for yet ANOTHER add-on.
He must also be talking about the same Microsoft that poorly designed and built a console, only to result in astronomically high failure rates, and the same Microsoft who can be automatically referred to when you use the four letters RROD.