Sony Apologises For "Install Other OS" Removal

12 Apr 2010 at 12:02:31 by Tim McDonald

Sony has apologised to PlayStation 3 owners disappointed with the company's decision to remove the ability to run other operating systems on the system.

The latest firmware update released by Sony removes the "Install Other OS" functionality from the PlayStation 3, with Sony citing security as the reason it had to go. As you'd expect, this has upset a number of people.

"We are sorry if users of Linux or other operating systems are disappointed by our decision to issue a firmware upgrade which when installed disables this operating system feature," reads Sony's statement. "We have made the decision to protect the integrity of the console and whilst mindful of the impact on Linux or other operating system users we nevertheless felt it would be in the best interests of the majority of users to pursue this course of action.

"As you will be aware we have upgraded and enhanced functionality and features of the console by numerous firmware upgrades over time and this is a very rare instance where a feature will be disabled. Further enhancements are in the pipeline.

"Users do have the choice whether or not to install the firmware upgrade and this is clearly explained to them at the time the firmware upgrade is made available for installation. Furthermore our terms and conditions clearly state that we have the right to revise the PS3's settings and features in order to prevent access to unauthorised or pirated content."

This isn't the first time the PS3 has lost some functionality, with PS2 backwards compatibility famously vanishing from the console's hardware - or never appearing, if you happen to be European.

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