(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In a rather cruel twist of fate for Sony, a group of hackers have released Other OS++, a custom firmware for the PlayStation 3 console that resurrects the much talked about Other OS feature.

Oh the irony



In case you were unaware, Sony removed the ability to install Linux on the PS3 via the Other OS feature following GeoHot’s initial attempts to hack into the console as a measure to protect its security. This move antagonized a lot of the PS3 owners, who didn’t take too kindly to Sony removing features from a product they had purchased and forcing them to comply with the feature removal if they wanted to continue using the PS3’s online services. This was also the case for many who had never used, and never had any inclination to use, the aforementioned feature.

The move also triggered the heightening of the hacking efforts against the PS3, which resulted in fail0verflow and GeoHot’s discoveries – ones that we’ve heard of plenty about now. At a time when Sony is struggling to cope with the PSN outage caused by external intrusion and the leakage of its customers’ personal information, this release by the PS3MFW team serves as a counter punch right to the noggin.

Hackers have released custom firmwares, tools and instructions to allow PS3 owners to reinstate the ability to install Linux or other third-party operating sytems on the popular games consoles.
Sony removed the 'Install OtherOS' function from the system with a firmware update back in march 2010 after it discovered that infamous hacker George 'Geohot' Hotz had been exploiting the little used geekery to footle about in the PS3's innards.
The Japanese company ran roughshod over its customers hiding behind iron-clad end user agreements which basically said anyone who brought a PlayStation didn't own the software installed on it, and it could remove chunks of code which were widely used to sell the hardware on a whim.
The firmware update forced users to choose between the abilty to play the latest online games and installing Linux.
Since then Sony has been beseiged by hackers and online acivists keen to prove that being the biggest, richest kid in the playground doesn't give you the right to grab everyone else's toys and break them.
Things have been pretty quiet on the OtherOS front since the PS3 was cracked wide open with the discovery of the hardware's private data signing keys, but now a team of hackers from gitbrew.org has released all of the tools and resources neccessary to resurrect the missing functionality.

The hack involves some complex and arcane jiggery-pokery but experienced users will be able to reinstate Linux using a combination of custom firmware called OtherOS++ which reportedly goes beyond the abilities of the Sony-sanctioned orginal to allow full access to the PS3's hardware.
The hacking team behind the publication described the ability to reinstate Install OtherOS as "One small steps for devs, one giant kick in the nuts for Sony Corp," which amused us no end.

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True but at least half on the Sony hate stems from OS removal. To me backwards compatibility removal was more relevant than OS removal since like you said you can use a PC. I got like 6 emulators on there.

well this is depressing

i use to have a ps1 emulator

o and a ps2 emulator with a bios from a good google search

me too i got my laptop

"One small steps for devs, one giant kick in the nuts for Sony Corp," ...ASzHOLES

Why do people need to mess around with stuff? Why can't we leave things alone and play PS3 the way Sony wants it played? Some people just have to ruin everything :/

remove the hacked patches from Mw2 & then write that untill then STFU

So true and good post +rep

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