163w ago - Despite some
refunds being granted, today Sony UK has officially apologized for the
OtherOS removal in the recently released
PS3 Firmware 3.21 update citing
PS3 piracy concerns as the underlying factor.
To quote from Sony's official statement to Thinq.co.uk (linked above):
"We are sorry if users of Linux or other operating systems are disappointed by our decision to issue a firmware upgrade which when installed disables this operating system feature.
We have made the decision to protect the integrity of the console and whilst mindful of the impact on Linux or other operating system users we nevertheless felt it would be in the best interests of the majority of users to pursue this course of action.
As you will be aware we have upgraded and enhanced functionality and features of the console by numerous firmware upgrades over time and this is a very rare instance where a feature will be disabled. Further enhancements are in the pipeline.
Users do have the choice whether to install the firmware upgrade and this is clearly explained to them at the time the firmware upgrade is made available for installation. Furthermore our terms and conditions clearly state that we have the right to revise the PS3's settings and features in order to prevent access to unauthorised or pirated content."
thx my friend...
I don't think the piracy would have as much an impact as it did for DVD based games (PS2 & Xbox). I hope Geohot and others can really make some progress this year in terms of custom firmwares and homebrew. Sony has been sitting comfortably for too long. Maybe this will get them motivated to release new features more quickly.
Cuz while i'm downloading i'm paying an internet bill so essentially im paying for the game. and also the games are like fracking 25gb in size and thats not even dual-layered. the only thing i actually see becoming a potential for piracy is maybe the Download-only games or ps1 iso's and even then its not like they have the entire ps1 library at my disposal to buy off of the PSN. and to top it all off Blu-Ray burners and the BD-Discs are expensive as hell.
What they should have done instead is accept the fact that it will be cracked and instead concentrate provided better support for user and provided better content to user so that the majority of people will still continues to enjoy and support you. This way even if the manage to create pirated game most user will still stay legit.
By going and removing the otherOS you are just encouraging people and piss them off as they are many people who just want added functionality to their ps3.