Sony removes ability to 'Install Other OS' on PS3

[Jason]

In the most recent update to Sony's PS3 Firmware (3.21), one feature conspicuous by its absence is the ability to install and run another OS. Many believe this is move by Sony to pre-empt any potential Piracy issues, as it was widely reported that iPhone hacker GeoHot used a modified version of Linux in his successful cracking of the PS3's hardware.

This raises several issues - firstly, is it 'right' of Sony to remove a feature simply because of fears it may be used for piracy? Many users have used the feature entirely legitimately and have reacted angrily to the decision to remove it.
Secondly, there are now reports coming in that the update has 'bricked' some consoles, meaning they are unable to run games and essentially useless. This has, predictably, lead to a hefty backlash from said users.

[Rob]

The number of users running a second OS was probably small compared to the entire install base. If you are a suit at Sony that has to take some kind of "action" against piracy to pad your resume and convince your boss that you are making progress against evil then why not screw over some of your customers? Really.... why not? :(

[Jason]

Personally, I think Sony are entitled to take reasonable steps to protect their software and hardware from piracy, and in my eyes, the removal of the 'Install other OS' function constitutes a reasonable step. It was a major potential security hole, and I think that it was inevitably going to be patched eventually.

[MyNameDidntFit]

Yeah, I'm really with Jasmine on this one. It's not like they're removing a key feature, or even a commonly used one...

[Rob]

Maybe i'm out of the loop here, but I can't remember ever hearing about Linux on the PS3 being a conduit for piracy. Do you know anyone anywhere that has used Linux on PS3 to play pirated games?

[MyNameDidntFit]

It's 'believed' to be to prevent piracy as it was 'reported' that Linux was used in the cracking of the console.

[Jason]

Basically what MNDF said. Apparently GeoHot used a modified version of Linux as the OS to help crack the PS3. I'd imagine that came from the horse's mouth, as he's not traditionally secretive about such things.

[Conor]

Lol, what a load of crap. All Sony does is need to do an MS and update it's encryption every month or so and they have to sit there spending all they're time trying to unlock it again. Even then, I've never heard of something like that. I think Sony are trying to beat the cash cow incase something that can be done with the OtherOS comes out. Such as the ability to run things like Steam etc on it and play actual PC games :P

[Jason]

It's certainly feasible with regards to the installation of programs like Steam and so on down the line, but that would be some way off. I do genuinely think that the reason for this is a security thing - there's already some nasty javascript-style exploits doing the rounds on the PSN, and I can only imagine that would have to have something to do with another OS, as I'm fairly sure the existing PS3 OS doesn't have a 'craft virus' option.

The other point is that the ONLY way the PS3 has been hacked so far was by using the 'other OS' option and installing a modified version of Linux. Granted there were also some hardware bypasses, but it would likely be only a matter of time before those were worked around with software.

I have very little positive to say about many of Sony's business decisions, but in this case I feel that they were right to do this to protect their interests.