New PS3 Update Will Disable Linux Support
By Doug Caverly
Staff Writer
Article Date: 2010-03-31
Sorry, Linux professionals, but your operating system of choice will soon be pushed out of a large number of people's daily lives. Sony has announced that the next Playstation 3 firmware update - due out April 1st - will disable the "Install Other OS" feature that allowed many gamers to use Linux.
Sony's taking this step in response to unspecified security concerns, and unfortunately, the PS3 update isn't the sort of thing the average owner will be able to turn his back on.
A post on the PlayStation Blog announced that people who choose to pass on the 3.21 system software update will lose their ability to log into the PlayStation Network. They won't be able to play any Blu-ray discs and PlayStation games that have been designed around the update, either (and it's likely that most new ones will be).
One tiny silver lining is that the protest Sony's move has caused (2,430 comments have been made in response to the official blog post) may generate some awareness; perhaps a bunch people who never heard of Linux will wonder what the fuss is all about and install it on a computer.
But this change will likely act to make Linux less visible to mainstream consumers, which isn't good. Keep your fingers crossed that Sony either reverses its decision or declares this one big April Fool's joke.
About the Author:
Doug is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest eBusiness news.
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