PS3 Users, log in… so we can “downgrade” your system
PSN has decided that they will “downgrade” the system of users. Here’s the official announcement made recently at THE PLAYSTATION BLOG : ”will disable the “Install Other OS” feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009. This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.” More after the jump….
Gamespot reports the lawsuit over this change, their most compelling quote was (from the lawsuit) ”when it designed the PS3, ‘it was fully intended that you, a PS3 owner, could play games, watch movies, view photos, listen to music, and run a full-featured Linux operating system that transforms your PS3 into a home computer,’” the suit reads.
EFF (Electronic Freedom Foundation) has a short biting article about the removal of the feature.
Davis Law Firm, LLP has a short note about the case and some helpful links. (By the way, ALWAYS read their stuff, very insightful).
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Personal commentary follows. This might be a case of first impression where a feature actually mentioned and promoted in company literature is retroactively removed (and of course this would be one of the questionable issues). Now the question would be, is there actually a substanstial subset of users who bought the PS3 MAINLY for the Linux installation feature. This would all go towards the price of computers 3-5 years ago (much higher) and the price of PS3s (somewhat higher). Also, if you’re familiar with Linux at all, you’ll note not many viruses written for it, the startup and other features are quite configurable, but the GUI (Graphical User Interface) leave much to be desired. Whether the “Red Hat” Linux or other cover-up GUIs developed for computers work on a PS3, I could use some illumination from my Penguinista readers. (term of affection)
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/2942594277/ From Creative Commons, flickr, attribution required.
Jay Moffitt is a Tennessee attorney. This blog is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not consitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship. Jay Moffitt is not certified as a specialist in this area by Tennessee and Tennessee does not certify specialists in this practice area. All comments will be answered promptly and courteously as long as they are germane to the discussion and do not contain specific game names or incidents.
Tags: downgrade, Linux, Playstation Network, PS3
