PS3 Firmware 3.21 Update Arrives, It Only Does Less Than It Did!

164w ago - As scheduled, today the PS3 Firmware 3.21 update is available for download and as Sony previously confirmed it disables the OtherOS functionality in an effort to make the PlayStation 3 entertainment system more secure.

Download: PS3 Firmware 3.21 Update (US) / PS3 Firmware Update 3.21 (EU)

PS3 hacker GeoHot (EgoHot to skeptics) has promised a solution to those who hold off updating their console which may include PS3 Custom Firmware alongside a Nouveau open-source PS3 RSX driver rumored to be in development.

More details to come as they are available, including a full PS3 Firmware version 3.21 changelog. At the moment, all that is available from the PlayStation Japan site according to TheSixthAxis.com is the following, to quote: "Firstly it appears the quality of of PlayStation format software from the Store has been improved, presumably referring to the PS1 functionality (FFIX?).

Secondly, it appears that the security of MP4 video playback has been boosted too, removing some vulnerabilities."

RSX objects:

0x0 -- 0x30 -- NV01_NULL
0x31337000 -- 0x4097 -- NV40TCL
0x31337303 -- 0x39 -- NV_MEMORY_TO_MEMORY_FORMAT
0x3137C0DE -- 0x39 -- NV_MEMORY_TO_MEMORY_FORMAT
0x31337A73 -- 0x309E -- NV40_SWIZZLED_SURFACE
0x313371C3 -- 0x3062 -- NV40_CONTEXT_SURFACES_2D
0x3137AF00 -- 0x3089 -- NV40_SCALED_IMAGE_FROM_MEMORY
0x31337808 -- 0x308A -- NV40_IMAGE_FROM_CPU

Changelog:

• The [Install Other OS] and [Default System] features have been deleted.
• The playback quality of some PlayStation® format software that is downloaded (as a purchase or for free) from PlayStation®Store has been improved.
• A security patch was added to address security vulnerabilities that may occur when playing MP4 format video files.

Finally, those who don't plan to update may want to check out the guides on How to Bypass PS3 Firmware 3.21 and Connect to PSN.