Class action over “Other OS”
A class action suite has been filed against Sony for removing the Other OS feature. I hope it’s granted, although it won’t help me personally. After all, Sony won’t bring it back, and slapping them on the wrist with a fine that enriches some lawyers is not a proper solution. However, maybe it will give companies pause in the future when the are deciding to remove features.
This whole “Other OS” thing has really hit me hard. The Other OS feature is why I bought the PS3 in the first place, rather than the Xbox360. I dragged it out every time I argued a friend should buy a PS3, too. Now, Sony has removed it from my console. I’ve seriously considered selling my PS3 and getting an Xbox instead. The only problem with that is the money I have invested in games, which would all be wasted. I certainly haven’t used my PS3 since the update was announced; I just don’t feel compelled anymore. Maybe this will change (I hope it does, as there’s lots of games I want to play right now), but for the moment, Sony has completely turned me off the PS3.
There’s a much bigger side effect, though. Now, for every device I buy, I have to ask myself: “Will this killer feature that I’m buying this for still be there in a year? If it’s gone, will the device still be compelling to me? Can I do anything (such as rooting my phone; Google++) to ensure the company can’t change my device without my consent? No longer can I assume that my devices will still be useful down the line for the purposes I want to put them to. This is not new, but it’s never hit home to me before.
One thing’s for sure: I’m not likely to buy any more Sony products.