Sony Steals Feature From Your PlayStation 3 @ EFF. Reach in and delete, b00m!
…Sony provided the Other OS feature in order to support IBM’s Cell Project, which produced the PS3’s CPU and made it practical to use PS3 consoles as compute nodes for a scientific supercomputer. The U.S. Army did just that, buying more than 2,000 PS3s to build a supercomputer. Lots of hobbyists also made use of the Other OS feature, using it to write their own games and creatively repurpose their PS3s.
Recently, however, a hobbyist named Geohot announced that he was able to use the Other OS feature along with a bit of soldering in a manner that gave him more control over the PS3 hardware than Sony had intended. Sony responded with the “upgrade” that removes the Other OS feature.
Not an April fools joke, this is actually what all devices are going to do soon.
8 thoughts on “Sony Steals Feature From Your PlayStation 3”
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I’m kind of curious why they don’t want customers to have access to the hardware? I understand it could lead to all sorts of in-game modifcation. But my reason for confusion is PC gaming is complete access to the hardware and all game publishers don’t have a problem with that. What’s the big deal with consoles and the PS3? Trying to prevent piracy?
Apple does similar things with its ipod/touch/phone too, so it can’t just be software piracy.
I’m also guessing the US Army will either be selling the 2,000 PS3s with a Nastygram to Sony.. or Sony will have a special firmware they can use. Though it’s possible the US Army’s cluster has no need to ever upgrade the firmware?
“if your advertising giveth and your EULA taketh away don’t be surprised if the FTC comes calling.”
— Mary K. Engle, Acting Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection
Come on FTC… start knocking on Sony’s door before they remove DLNA or any of other reasons I bought my PS3.
I’ve already filed a complaint against Sony with the FTC, and have been going back and forth with Sony support over the issue. They’re basically acting like robots telling me the same thing over and over (“protecting intellectual property”), and not really responding to the specific points I’m mentioning.
If one wasn’t FORCED to upgrade the software in order to use any of the online features, I wouldn’t be so mad, but now I’m stuck with A-no online features, B-choosing to lose the Linux option, or C-go buy another PS3 to play online (something I’m sure Sony would love, and for that reason, I’m very much against).
PS3: IT ONLY DOES EVERYTHING*
*Except Linux, reverse compatibility with PS1/PS2 games, correctly calculate leap years (rendering the system useless on 3/1 of a non-leap year), etc.
What’s funny is that Sony considers the FTC a swear word on their PS3 blog.
How slimy does a company have to be to censor the FTC?
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3172/ftc2.png