Sony’s 3.21 firmware update will remove the “Install other OS” feature found on most PS3’s today. You can choose to not upgrade your PS3 but you will not be able to play games or videos that rely on the 3.21 patch. You won’t be able to connect to the PlayStation Networks either unless you update. Sony is citing ’security concerns’ as the reason. “For most of you, this won’t have any impact on how you use your PS3,” the company claims. “If you are one of the few who use the “Other OS” feature, or if you belong to an organisation that does, then you can choose not to upgrade your system.” Running Linux on the PS3 ‘was’ a deciding factor for me, guess it’s not an issue now!

As some of you know I am trying to sell my Gaming PC to pick up a console. I still haven’t decided between PS3 or an XBox yet however Sony pulling stunts like this is a big turn off. If customers rely on a certain feature of a product and the manufacturer changes it on them 80% through it’s life cycle, the customer loses out. If game developers are concerned about security they should implement better mechanisms in their software.