The new update for the Playstation 3 firmware dropped today. Patching your system to version 3.21 will have the following results: you can no longer run Linux on your PS3. This is, according to the European PS3 blog, a security measure and not a big middle finger to the homebrew community (it still is sort of really).

They say if you don’t install the patch you will lose the following:

• Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat.
• Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later.
• Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings).
• Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later.

I also did some digging and found they fixed some hole in MP4 playback and did some quality optimizing for Playstation format titles.

I wonder what the security threat was, perhaps it had something to do with the PS3 reportedly being hacked. After all when it was first released they wouldn’t allow it in certain countries as they said it was powerful enough to run an ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile for you post-Cold-War kids).

Mostly-Official update list:

System changes

• The [Install Other OS] and [Default System] features have been deleted.

Other changes

• The playback quality of some PlayStation format software that is downloaded (as a purchase or for free) from PlayStation Store has been improved.
• A security patch was added to address security vulnerabilities that may occur when playing MP4 format video files.

A lot of work for absolutely nothing really. I’ve read some comments on the PS3 blogs and people are rather upset as Sony is essentially removing functionality that was there when they purchased their machine. Can’t say that I blame them [the users] really.