Sony Explains PS3 Slim's Loss of OtherOS and Linux Options

[PS3 News]

Recently we learned that the PS3 Slim didn't lose the OtherOS and Linux functionality due to a security hole, however, many were left wondering why Sony ditched them.

Today, TheRegister.co.uk (linked above) has a definitive answer- to cut costs and be able to pass the savings on to the consumer.

To quote: "A forum http://playstation2-linux.com/forum/message.php?msg_id=51038 on Sony's official Linux for PlayStation 2 developer community sheds some new light on the feature's removal.

A Sony rep explained the company is simply unwilling to bear costs of maintaining the hypervisor used for OtherOS support across major hardware revisions. From the horse's mouth:

The reasons are simple: The PS3 Slim is a major cost reduction involving many changes to hardware components in the PS3 design. In order to offer the OtherOS install, SCE would need to continue to maintain the OtherOS hypervisor drivers for any significant hardware changes - this costs SCE. One of our key objectives with the new model is to pass on cost savings to the consumer with a lower retail price. Unfortunately in this case the cost of OtherOS install did not fit with the wider objective to offer a lower cost PS3.

We'll see if we can get the offical OtherOS page updated with something to this effect so that an official explanation is provided. Thank you for your comments.

Sarah."


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[BlingOnMyWrist]

Heh, I was really wondering how removing the option did.

[Kraken]

So in other words, they removed OtherOS to cut the costs of the hardware used to make it a slow, gimped, useless thing to begin with.

[fatpenguin]

It's a shame, but from a business standpoint, who can really blame them. Most PS3 users don't even look at installing another OS.

[Dibblah]

Actually, it could end up being a *really* bad move on the part of Sony.

It has been speculated that one of the reasons that the PS3 hasn't been hacked is that there's no valid reason to do it - If you want homebrew, you install Linux.

Without that option, there is certainly going to be more incentive for someone who owns a slim to attempt to get their code running on it - Which now means that they have to hack it.

Of course, it is possible that the PS3 is completely secure. However, this is somewhat unlikely.

[setTopbox]

"Of course, it is possible that the PS3 is completely secure. However, this is somewhat unlikely."

Nothing is hack proof, but the ps3 is tighter than a snail's behind. I usually expect devices that have a small following wont get hacked since the less people use it, the less likely you'll have a hacker amongst them. (iirc Minidisc's crappy DRM was never hacked for example).

With the Ps3, you have 10's of millions of people world wide using it, sure the 360 has more (and a years head start), but does that really explain the 360 being almost completely compromised versus the ps3's almost complete lack of progress? This leads me to belive that those who are trying to crack it aren't getting too far.

It took several years for progress to be made on the backup front on the 360, and that didn't even allow for any sort of "hello world". Years on with the ps3, there's no swap trick, no game save exploit etc. If there were a way I think it would have been found by now.

[everglow21]

Kraken So in other words, they removed OtherOS to cut the costs of the hardware used to make it a slow, gimped, useless thing to begin with.

I just got that slow, gimped, useless thing and it aint that bad.. its not even slow Don't believe everything people say.. try it yourself

[DarkEnigma]

Originally Posted by Dibblah Actually, it could end up being a *really* bad move on the part of Sony. It has been speculated that one of the reasons that the PS3 hasn't been hacked is that there's no valid reason to do it - If you want homebrew, you install Linux. Without that option, there is certainly going to be more incentive for someone who owns a slim to attempt to get their code running on it - Which now means that they have to hack it. Of course, it is possible that the PS3 is completely secure. However, this is somewhat unlikely.

I agree, hopefully this means that more people are going to try and hack the PS3, but it is also true that the tight security is a main factor in why it hasn't been done yet.

For example, one of the most popular homebrew apps for consoles is XBMC, and yet it would run terribly on PS3 Linux due to restricted GPU access.