Sony Sued for Removing Features in Latest Firmware Update

I didn't think Sony would get away scott-free with changing its PSN Terms of Service to include the ability to remove features at will, and they haven't (yet). Plaintiff Anthony Ventura is bringing a class-action lawsuit against the company claiming that "Sony's decision to force users to disable the Other OS function was based on its own interest and was made at the expense of its customers." This kind of bait and switch is clearly illegal and I think Sony has little hope of winning this one despite their claims that the feature was removed "due to security concerns." The suit seeks "damages for Plaintiff and each class member, including but not limited to compensatory damages; restitution; injuctive relief; attorneys' fees; and the cost of this suit." Court documents have noted that "the amount in controversy is in excess of $5 million." I expect them to settle outside of court.

PS3 June Update to Add 3D Gaming Capability

Adding to the overpowering wave of 3D tech assailing consumers at every turn, Sony has announced that the June firmware update for the PS3 will enable gamers to play 3D games (assuming they have the pre-requisite 3D TVs). Four titles are being hyped so far in the 3D lineup: Wipeout HD, Pain, Motorstorm Pacific Rift, and Super Stardust HD, all to be made available both on a physical disc and on the PSN. The update will not, however, allow users to play 3D blu-rays.

Despite my general distaste for 3D movies and the inevitable detrimental side effects to my brain, I will admit to being excited at the prospect of 3D gaming, allowing the player to be drawn further into a game. I am hearing good things about the technology behind 3D stereoscopic gaming. For example, bit-tech.net has the following to say about Nvidia's new technology:

"The technology relies on 3D shutter glasses designed by Nvidia and what’s interesting is that, unlike any other attempt at 3D display technology, the glasses don’t use polarised lenses. Instead, they use mini LCD screens that sync with the PC via an infra red sensor that sits down by your keyboard – this ensures that the correct image is sent to each eye and there is no loss of resolution, claims Nvidia. Upon using the glasses, it was clear that the game looked appreciably sharper than what has come before and, more importantly, you can adjust the depth of the effect using a simple wheel on the back of the sensing device. This should go a long way to alleviating eyestrain caused by so many other attempts at delivering a truly 3D experience."

Tomshardware.com has a fantastic article up about 3D technology if you want to go into more detail. What it comes down to for most people, though, is that although 3D stereoscopic gaming is a cool idea, what we all really want is 3D autostereoscopic gaming like in Nintendo's 3DS, meaning: no goofy glasses.

Update: Sony Stands By Decision to Remove Features At Will

Sony has sent members of the Playstation Network an updated Terms of Service. It looks like the company is trying to retroactively make it allowable to have removed features from the PS3 (such as the ability to install an alternate operating system). The final statement issued is an aggressive one: "If you do not agree with the new Terms of Service and User Agreement or Privacy Policy, please contact Customer Service to terminate your PlayStation(R) Network account(s) and do not visit PlayStation(R) Network or our websites." So basically, if you don't like it, GTFO. This is not the kind of customer service I would expect from a company with such a good reputation. Sadly for Sony, it appears that they have violated consumer law prior to issuing the new ToS, so in my opinion they are still open to a lawsuit.

PS3 Portable - LCD Add-On for PS3 Slim

Japanese retailer Hori is releasing a slide-on LCD screen PS3 Slim attachment on May 27 to enable on-the-go gaming for the PS3. This trick has been attempted before for the PSOne back in 2001 with mixed reviews. The issues with turning a home console into a portable game center just by adding an LCD screen are numerous:

1. Even the PS3 Slim is heavy and large, weighing in at 11.5 lbs with dimensions 13.5 x 13.3 x 6.3 inches. Not so portable.


2. Without a way to charge the battery, the PS3 still needs to be plugged in whenever you use it.


3. HD resolution is only 720p, not quite utilizing the full potential of the PS3, and the screen is even smaller than the surface of the console.

I am trying to figure out what kind of trip I would be taking to want to carry around an 11.5 lb game console instead of a lighter, rechargeable laptop or iPhone and I find myself coming up short. I and many others would certainly love the ability to continue playing favorite games while on the road, but this product does not fulfill that market demand to the extent desired.

Sony Removes Feature Through Firmware Update: WTF

In a new bout of megalomaniacal insanity, the all-powerful Sony has decided to take away the ability to install other operating systems on the PS3 (such as Linux). Considering this is a somewhat major feature (even if only among major geeks ♥), Sony's move is causing an uproar reminiscent of that time Amazon deleted books off of customer's Kindles. Advertising a product feature for the PS3 and then deliberately removing it from already-purchased items sounds suspiciously like an illegal bait-and-switch. It seems that, against our will, consumers are being shifted away from owning content in favor of renting it. I believe that as a society we are not quite ready to fully relinquish real possession of a physical product in favor of the flexibility (on *both* sides) of digital "ownership" that can be taken away/corrupted/deleted in a heartbeat. As such, we will continue to experience growing pains in the form of lawsuits that will spawn legislation to address the new needs caused by such advances in technology. Watch out, Sony, because it looks like you'll be next in line for a class action suit.

PlayStation Network is down; rampant panic and terror ensue

The title may be glib, but the PlayStation Network issue that struck last night and has yet to be remedied is a serious problem for those gamers with older ("fat") PS3s. Not only is the network down, preventing users from logging in to online gameplay, the bug is also affecting the ability to load many offline games and has corrupted some user data. Rumors are circulating that the bug is related to improper handling of leap years. Sony has recommended that gamers leave their older PS3s off until this bug has been fixed. Updates on the situtation can be found on Engadget.

The question here is, how could this kind of bug have made it past Sony's quality control? This problem appears to be similar to what happened to Microsoft's Zunes in 2008. For such a foreseeable issue, it is disappointing that not only was Sony unable to prevent the bug from affecting gamers in the first place, but also that it is taking so long to release a fix. Get on with it, please, as my forecast calls for... Heavy Rain. (The pun, much like the PSN bug, was both foreseeable and permitted despite widespread disapproval.)