The recent PS3 Firmware v3.21 update is at the center of many discussions at the moment, but this time the issues are more serious than the removal of the OtherOS feature. The PlayStation Forum appear to be the centre of much of the discussions, with many users complaining of problems on the PS3 after installing the update.
If you would like to keep Linux and the OtherOS option open on your PS3 and have not yet updated to the latest firmware update, you can continue to use the PSN services through a cleaver hack. The hack doesn’t require any hardware modifications to your console and does not void your warranty – it simply tricks the console into thinking there is no update available.
Although the main reason for the recent 3.21 Firmware update was to remove the OtherOS option from the older PS3 models, the firmware also contains a few undocumented features (undocumented in North America and Europe). The Japanese version of the Firmware 3.21 changelog mentions two new features included in the firmware.
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George Hotz, responsible for hacking the PS3 and causing the removal of the OtherOS functionality on the PS3 is recommending that user do not update to Firmware 3.21. Why not? Hots is looking to release a custom firmware once the new update is released to retain the OtherOS option for those that want it.
While Sony has been doing a good job of keeping the PS3 up-to-date with new firmware updates and features, today’s announcement of Firmware v3.21 is a backwards move by Sony. The 3.21 firmware update will remove the OtherOS feature from the older PS3 models over “security concerns,” mainly due to the recent exploit discovered by hacker George Hotz. However, this isn’t the first time Sony has removed functionality from the PS3.
The latest firmware for the PS3 has been announced by Sony, confirming the rumors about the removal of the OtherOS functionality. The new firmware update will bring the system software version to v3.21 and will be available to download this Thursday (April 1st 2010). After updating, the Linux partition on your hard drive will be inaccessible so be sure to backup any data.
According to a rumor on the Yellow Dog Linux Forums, Linux Product Manager Owen Stampflee has posted that the OtherOS feature will be removed in the next firmware update. The topic on the forum has since been removed, which leads us to question it’s credibility. The OtherOS feature is expected to be removed in order to block the recently discovered exploit.
Firmware 3.15 which came out in early December 2009 is now mandatory to install. The firmware is needed for many new and upcoming titles, though most of you probably already have it installed. If you have already installed the latest update, this new does not affect you. Gamers who haven’t updated will be prompted to download it when they boot up their PS3.
At Sony’s CES Press Conference, Kaz Hirai announced that the PS3 will be fully 3D compatible this year. There will be two firmware updates at some point in 2010 — the first will add 3D Stereoscopic Gaming functionality to the PS3 and the second will add 3D Stereoscopic Movie functionality. Kaz also revealed that 2009 housed the most successful holiday season in the history of the PlayStation 3, with over 3.8 million units selling worldwide over the last 5 weeks of the year.
