Sony PS3 removing Other OS functionality…

Sony are removing “Other OS” functionality from the PS3
with update to firmware 3.21 (source). As someone who uses “Other OS” functionality, and still wants to be able to play online, and play new games and watch new films etc. This pissed me off. Removing functionality from a product after it has been bought sucks big time.

So, instead of just moaning to Jude, I thought I should write to them. Here is my letter.

Hi,
I own a PS3 that, when bought, advertised the ability to run an
“other os”. This is a feature I use, and a contributing factor to me
buying the PS3 instead of another console. As of yesterday (1st of
April 2010), you released an system update (2.31) that disables this
feature. I have not installed this update, as I do not want to lose
this feature. However, not updating means that I lose other features
that were advertised and contributed towards my decision to purchase the
PS3.

“…you can choose not to upgrade your system. However, doing so
will mean that the following features will not be available:

* Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network
features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as
online features of PS3 games and chat.
* Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that
require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later.
* Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a
media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings).
* Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3
system software 3.21 or later.”
– Sony -

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/

So, my choices are,
1. Upgrade and lose the “other os” feature
2. Don’t upgrade and lose the ability to:
A. Play games that I have already purchased online, or any
games that require network access. (Some games are
designed to be played online, and have little offline
content)
B. Get updates/patches to games that resolve bugs.
C. Access new demos, games or videos available on the PSN.
D. Play any new games that I purchase in the future.
E. Play back videos from my media server.
F. Receive any future updates.

Both of these options remove features that were advertised and
contributed towards my purchasing decision. When I bought my PS3, it
cost ~£350, and now 1/3 of the features I paid for are being removed.

I think that this is unfair that you have removed 1/3 the value/features
of the PS3 for me. The only choices I have is which 1/3 to lose.

As a loyal Sony customer (owning all 3 PlayStations, and several HiFi
components), I’d like to know how you would recompense me for this
removal of functionality. Please contact me by Friday 9th April 2010.

Kind Regards,
Anthony Batchelor

I received a reply from them in about a day. However, it was a generic response… It didn’t look like they even read my email as it just reiterated what I was complaining about. :(

Dear Mr Batchelor,

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding PlayStation 3.

I am sorry to hear of your disappointment regarding the recent announcement to remove other operating systems (OS) from the PlayStation 3 from System Software version 3.21 or later.

Whilst it may be an inconvenience this decision has been made to ensure the continued security of the PlayStation 3 console and the PlayStation Network as a whole. This update is not mandatory and you can continue to use the ?Other OS? feature if you do not update your system software. However, if you choose not to update the system software of your PS3 system, the following features will no longer be available:

- Ability to sign in to PlayStation®Network and use PSN features that require signing in, such as online features of PS3 software titles and chat features (You will be able to watch video content downloaded from PlayStation Store without connecting to PSN, but will not be able to transfer it to a PSP system. You will be able to play games downloaded from PlayStation Store, if the application does not have a feature that utilises PSN, but will not be able to transfer it to a PSP system).

- Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later (system software also updates the Advanced Access Content System cryptography key provided for the BD and if the key is updated in the near future, users will not be able to playback BD installed with this new key).

- Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under (Settings) > (System Settings) > [Enable DTCP-IP]).

- Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later.

Please note that if you are using another OS and choose to update the system software you will first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the ?Other OS? as you will not be able to access this data following the update.

Once again please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, however it is necessary given the need to maintain a secure environment for PlayStation and its users.

Should you have any further queries, please call PlayStation Support on 0844 736 0595, quoting your reference number: 1864575, and an advisor will be happy to assist you. Our operating hours are 8am – 10pm Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm Saturday, Sunday and all Bank Holidays.

Yours sincerely

Ryan Martins
PlayStation Team
Sony Computer Entertainment UK
PlayStation Support: 0844 736 0595,

Well, that was a lot of help. My next step is to call them… Will update again when I have done that.

I’ve also written to Trading Standards, to see if this counts as “not as described” and would be eligible for a refund, or if there is anything else that can be done.