The PlayStation 3 Slim already had an ability penalty of -35 Geekiness because of its lack of the "Install Other OS" option, and now the regular PlayStation 3 will follow in its footsteps. A PS3 firmware update, scheduled to land April 1, will disable this option on regular PS3s as well. This, dear readers, is what we in the business call a "testicle move", especially since only a few weeks ago, Sony bold-facedly claimed the feature would not be removed.
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Member since:2007-02-17
The only reason that the PS3 was sold as a home computer was for tax reasons. The PS3 is not a home computer, never was. They tried to pull the same thing with the PS2 and while that could run linux, using it as a computer was a very big stretch. Apparently there is some kind of tax break, or some import incentive of some sort that makes classifying the console as a computer viable. Don't remember what it is at the moment, but I know that Sony has tried to use it several times before.
Either way those looking to replace the console in the future are screwed. The Slim locks down the hypervisor anyway, so the ability is gone on the newer models. You will have to buy your console second hand or hope you find an old 80GB on sale somewhere.
Member since:2009-02-19
Sega tried that line with the Dreamcast, too, claiming that since it had a web-browser and a built-int 56K modem, it was more than just a game console, but arguably a home entertainment center, and maybe even a modest personal computer. I'm willing to bet that they where overwhelmingly used for gaming too. 
I always assumed it was mostly to comfort parents about buying the thing for their kids. "See, it's not just a video-game console, it's also a media player and web browser... why, it's more like a PC, which will have all kinds of benign, family-centric uses."
Member since:2009-06-01
Member since:
2007-03-26
This is clearly a reactionary move against the PS3 "jailbreak".
Sony have realised that a cat-and-mouse game isn't worth the hassle and that they stand too lose money on consoles from people who will buy them not intending to use them for games.
Financially I sympathise with their decision. But this is not the way to go about it.
The unit was sold as a home computer and thus those that bought it to use in that way shouldn't have the paid-for extended functionality removed.