PlayStation 3

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"PS3" redirects here. For other uses, see PS3 (disambiguation).

PlayStation 3

 Top: Original PlayStation 3 (2006)

 Center: PlayStation 3 Slim (2009)

 Bottom: PlayStation 3 Super Slim (2012)

Also known PS3

as
Developer Sony Computer Entertainment

Manufacturer Sony Corporation, Foxconn, Asus[1]

Product PlayStation

family

Type Home video game console

Generation Seventh generation

 JP: November 11, 2006; 13 years ago

Release date

 NA: November 17, 2006; 13 years ago

 PAL: March 23, 2007; 13 years ago

Lifespan 2006–2017

Introductory US$499.99 (20 GB model)

price US$599.99 (60 GB model)

 NZ: September 29, 2015

Discontinued

 EU: March 2016

 AU: March 2016

 NA: October 2016

 JP: May 29, 2017

Units shipped 87.4 million

(as of March 31, 2017)[2]

Media  Blu-ray Disc (PlayStation 3 game disc & Movie Disc)

 DVD

 Compact Disc

 PlayStation game disc

 PlayStation 2 game disc (1st and 2nd generations only)

 Super Audio CD (1st and 2nd generations only)[3]

 Video CD & Super Video CD (PS3 Slim & Super Slim Variant only)

 Digital distribution
Operating PlayStation 3 system software[4][5]

system

CPU 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE and 8 SPEs

Memory 256 MB XDR DRAM system and 256 MB GDDR3 video

Storage  Removable 2.5-inch SATA hard drive 20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 120 GB,

160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB or 500 GB included) (user upgradable to a 1 terrabyte

readable partition)

 Non-removable 12GB NAND flash memory (super slim only, can be replaced

with a hard drive)

Display Video output formats[show]

Graphics 550 MHz Nvidia/SCEI RSX Reality Synthesizer

Sound Audio output formats[show]

Controller Sixaxis, DualShock 3, DualShock 4, Logitech Driving Force GT, Logitech

input Cordless Precision controller, standard USB controllers, GT Force, rhythm

game controllers, PlayStation Move, PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Remote

Control, GunCon 3, PlayStation Portable, Wonderbook, PlayStation

Vita, keyboard and mouse

Connectivity (details)[show]

Online PlayStation Network

services

Backward  PlayStation (all models)

 PlayStation 2 (20 GB, 60 GB and some (CECHCxx) 60 GB and (CECHExx) 80 GB

compatibility

models)

Predecessor PlayStation 2

Successor PlayStation 4

Website web.archive.org/web/20151202193825/https://www.playstation.com/en-
us/explore/ps3/
 The PlayStation 3 (officially abbreviated as PS3) is a home video game
console developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the successor
to PlayStation 2, and is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first
released on November 11, 2006 in Japan,[7] November 17, 2006 in North America,
and March 23, 2007 in Europe and Australia.[8][9][10] The PlayStation 3 competed
primarily against Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh
generation of video game consoles.
The console was first officially announced at E3 2005, and was released at the end
of 2006. It was the first console to use Blu-ray Disc as its primary storage
medium.[11] The console was the first PlayStation to integrate social gaming
services, including the PlayStation Network, as well as the first to be controllable
from a handheld console, through its remote connectivity with PlayStation
Portable and PlayStation Vita.[12][13][14] In September 2009, the Slim model of the
PlayStation 3 was released. It no longer provided the hardware ability to run PS2
games. It was lighter and thinner than the original version, and featured a
redesigned logo and marketing design, as well as a minor start-up change in
software. A Super Slim variation was then released in late 2012, further refining
and redesigning the console.
During its early years, the system was negatively received, due to its high price
($599 for a 60 gigabyte model, $499 for a 20 GB model), a complex processor
architecture, and lack of quality games but was praised for its Blu-ray capabilities
and "untapped potential". The reception would get more positive over time. The
system had a slow start in the market[15] but managed to recover, particularly after
the introduction of the Slim model. Its successor, the PlayStation 4, was released
later in November 2013. On September 29, 2015, Sony confirmed that sales of the
PlayStation 3 were to be discontinued in New Zealand, but the system remained in
production in other markets.[16] Shipments of new units to Europe and Australia
ended in March 2016, followed by North America which ended in October
2016.[17][18] Heading into 2017, Japan was the last territory where new units were still
being produced until May 29, 2017, when Sony confirmed the PlayStation 3 was
discontinued in Japan.[17][18][19][20][21]

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Launch
o 1.2Slim model
o 1.3Super Slim model
 2Games
o 2.1Stereoscopic 3D
 3Hardware
o 3.1Use in supercomputing
o 3.2Technical specifications
o 3.3Models
o 3.4Controllers and accessories
 o 3.5Statistics regarding reliability
 4Software
o 4.1System software
 4.1.1Graphical user interface
o 4.2Digital rights management
o 4.3Photo management
o 4.4Video services
o 4.5OtherOS support
o 4.6Leap year bug
 5Features
o 5.1PlayStation Portable connectivity
 6PlayStation Network
o 6.1PlayStation Plus
o 6.2PlayStation Store
o 6.3What's New
o 6.4PlayStation Home
o 6.5Life with PlayStation
o 6.6Outage
 7Sales and production costs
 8Critical reception
o 8.1Original model
o 8.2Slim model and rebranding
o 8.3Super Slim model
 9Notes
 10References
 11External links
o 11.1Official websites
o 11.2Auxiliary sites by Sony
o 11.3Directories

History
The PlayStation 3 began development in 2001 when Ken Kutaragi, then the
President of Sony Computer Entertainment, announced that Sony, Toshiba,
and IBM would collaborate on developing the Cell microprocessor.[22] At the
time, Shuhei Yoshida led a group of programmers within this hardware team to
explore next-generation game creation. By early 2005, focus within Sony shifted
towards developing PS3 launch titles.[22] Sony officially unveiled PlayStation 3 to the
public on May 16, 2005, at E3 2005,[23] along with a boomerang-shaped prototype
design of the Sixaxis controller.[24] A functional version of the system was not
present there,[25] nor at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005,[26] although
demonstrations (such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots[25]) were held at
both events on software development kits and comparable personal computer
hardware.[25][26] Video footage based on the predicted PlayStation 3 specifications
was also shown (notably a Final Fantasy VII tech demo).[27]
The initial prototype shown in May 2005 featured two HDMI ports,
three Ethernet ports and six USB ports;[28] however, when the system was shown
again a year later at E3 2006, these were reduced to one HDMI port, one Ethernet
port and four USB ports, presumably to cut costs.[29][30] Two hardware configurations
were also announced for the console: a 20 GB model and a 60 GB model, priced
at US$499 (€499) and US$599 (€599), respectively.[29] The 60 GB model was to be
the only configuration to feature an HDMI port, Wi-Fi internet, flash card readers
and a chrome trim with the logo in silver.[29] Both models were announced for a
simultaneous worldwide release: November 11, 2006, for Japan and November 17,
2006, for North America and Europe.[31]
On September 6, 2006, Sony announced that PAL region PlayStation 3 launch
would be delayed until March 2007, because of a shortage of materials used in the
Blu-ray drive.[32] At the Tokyo Game Show on September 22, 2006, Sony
announced that it would include an HDMI port on the 20 GB system, but a chrome
trim, flash card readers, silver logo and Wi-Fi would not be included.[33] Also, the
launch price of the Japanese 20 GB model was reduced by over 20%,[34] and the
60 GB model was announced for an open pricing scheme in Japan.[34] During the
event, Sony showed 27 playable PS3 games running on final hardware.[35]
Launch

Silver PlayStation 3 consoles on show in 2006

The PlayStation 3 was first released in Japan on November 11, 2006, at

07:00.[7] According to Media Create, 81,639 PS3 systems were sold within 24 hours
of its introduction in Japan.[36] Soon after its release in Japan, PS3 was released in
North America on November 17, 2006.[8] Reports of violence surrounded the
release of the PS3. A customer was shot, campers were robbed at
gunpoint,[37] customers were shot in a drive-by shooting with BB guns,[38] and 60
campers fought over 10 systems.[39]
The console was originally planned for a global release through November, but at
the start of September the release in Europe and the rest of the world was delayed
until March.[40] With it being a somewhat last-minute delay, some companies had
taken deposits for pre-orders, at which Sony informed customers that they were
eligible for full refunds or could continue the pre-order.[41] On January 24, 2007,
Sony announced that PlayStation 3 would go on sale on March 23, 2007, in
Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand.[9][10] The system sold
about 600,000 units in its first two days.[42] On March 7, 2007, the 60 GB
PlayStation 3 launched in Singapore with a price of S$799.[43] The console was
launched in South Korea on June 16, 2007, as a single version equipped with an
80 GB hard drive and IPTV.[44]
Slim model
Following speculation that Sony was working on a 'slim' model, Sony officially
announced the PS3 CECH-2000 model on August 18, 2009, at the
Sony Gamescom press conference.[45][46] New features included a slimmer form
factor, decreased power consumption, and a quieter cooling system.[47] It was
released in major territories by September 2009. At the same time, a new logo was
introduced for the console to replace the previous "Spider-Man" wordmarks
(named due to their use of the same font as the logos of Sony's then-
current Spider-Man films), with a new "PS3" wordmark evoking the design of the
PlayStation 2 wordmark replacing the capitalized PlayStation 3 lettering.[48]
Super Slim model
In September 2012 at the Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced that a new,
slimmer PS3 redesign (CECH-4000) was due for release in late 2012 and that it
would be available with either a 250 GB or 500 GB hard drive. Three versions of
the Super Slim model were revealed: one with a 500 GB hard drive, a second with
a 250 GB hard drive which is not available in PAL regions, and a third with a 12 GB
flash storage that was available in PAL regions, and in Canada. The storage of
12 GB model is upgradable with an official standalone 250 GB hard drive. A
vertical stand was also released for the model. In the United Kingdom, the 500 GB
model was released on September 28, 2012; and the 12 GB model was released
on October 12, 2012. In the United States, the PS3 Super Slim was first released
as a bundled console. The 250 GB model was bundled with the Game of the
Year edition of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and released on September 25,
2012; and the 500 GB model was bundled with Assassin's Creed III and released
on October 30, 2012. In Japan, the black colored Super Slim model was released
on October 4, 2012; and the white colored Super Slim model was released on
November 22, 2012. The Super Slim model is 20 percent smaller and 25 percent
lighter than the Slim model and features a manual sliding disc cover instead of a
motorized slot-loading disc cover of the Slim model.[49][50][51][52][53][54] The white colored
Super Slim model was released in the United States on January 27, 2013 as part
of the Instant Game Collection Bundle.[55] The Garnet Red and Azurite Blue colored
models were launched in Japan on February 28, 2013.[56] The Garnet Red version
was released in North America on March 12, 2013 as part of the God of War:
Ascension bundle with 500 GB storage and contained God of War: Ascension as
well as the God of War Saga.[57] The Azurite Blue model was released on October
8, 2013 as a GameStop exclusive with 250GB storage.[58]

Games
Main article: Lists of PlayStation 3 games

PlayStation 3 launched in North America with 14 titles, with another three being
released before the end of 2006.[30]After the first week of sales it was confirmed
that Resistance: Fall of Man from Insomniac Games was the top-selling launch
game in North America.[59][60] The game was heavily praised by numerous video
game websites, including GameSpot and IGN, both of whom awarded it their
PlayStation 3 Game of the Year award for 2006.[61][62] Some titles missed the launch
window and were delayed until early 2007, such as The Elder Scrolls IV:
Oblivion, F.E.A.R. and Sonic the Hedgehog. During the Japanese launch, Ridge
Racer 7 was the top-selling game, while Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire also fared
well in sales,[63] both of which were offerings from Namco Bandai Games.
PlayStation 3 launched in Europe with 24 titles, including ones that were not
offered in North American and Japanese launches, such as Formula One
Championship Edition, MotorStorm and Virtua Fighter 5. Resistance: Fall of
Man and MotorStorm were the most successful titles of 2007,[64][65] and both games
subsequently received sequels in the form of Resistance 2 and MotorStorm: Pacific
Rift.[66][67]
At E3 2007, Sony was able to show a number of their upcoming video games for
PlayStation 3, including Heavenly Sword, Lair, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of
Destruction, Warhawk and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune; all of which were released
in the third and fourth quarters of 2007. It also showed off a number of titles that
were set for release in 2008 and 2009; most notably Killzone 2, Infamous, Gran
Turismo 5 Prologue, LittleBigPlanet and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
Confrontation.[68] A number of third-party exclusives were also shown, including the
highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots,[69] alongside other high-
profile third-party titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Call of Duty 4: Modern
Warfare, Assassin's Creed, Devil May Cry 4 and Resident Evil 5. Two other
important titles for PlayStation 3, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII,
were shown at TGS 2007 in order to appease the Japanese market.[70][71]
Sony have since launched their budget range of PlayStation 3 titles, known as
the Greatest Hits range in North America,[72] the Platinum range in Europe and
Australia[73] and The Best range in Japan.[74] Among the titles available in the budget
range include Resistance: Fall of Man, MotorStorm, Uncharted: Drakes
Fortune, Rainbow Six: Vegas, Call Of Duty 3, Assassin's Creed and Ninja Gaiden
Sigma. As of October 2009 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ratchet &
Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Devil May Cry 4, Army of Two, Battlefield: Bad
Company and Midnight Club: Los Angeles have also joined the list.
As of March 31, 2012, there have been 595 million games sold for PlayStation
3.[75] The best selling PS3 games are Grand Theft Auto V, Gran Turismo 5, The
Last of Us, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
The last game released on the PlayStation 3 was FIFA 19, on September 28,
2018.
Stereoscopic 3D
Main article: List of PlayStation 3 games with 3D support

In December 2008, the CTO of Blitz Games announced that it would

bring stereoscopic 3D gaming and movie viewing to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
with its own technology.[76] This was first demonstrated publicly on PS3 using
Sony's own technology in January 2009 at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Journalists were shown Wipeout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in 3D as a
demonstration of how the technology might work if it is implemented in the
future.[77] Firmware update 3.30 officially allowed PS3 titles to be played in 3D,
requiring a compatible display for use.[78] System software update 3.50 prepared it
for 3D films.[79] While the game itself must be programmed to take advantage of the
3D technology, titles may be patched to add in the functionality retroactively. Titles
with such patches include Wipeout HD, Pain, and Super Stardust HD.[80]

Hardware

The PlayStation 3 was the first console to include an HDMI port.

PlayStation 3 is convex on its left side, with the PlayStation logo upright, when
vertical (the top side is convex when horizontal) and has a glossy black finish.
PlayStation designer Teiyu Goto stated that the Spider-Man-font-inspired logo "was
one of the first elements SCEI president Ken Kutaragi decided on and the logo
may have been the motivating force behind the shape of PS3".[81]
On March 22, 2007, SCE and Stanford University released
the Folding@home software for PlayStation 3.[82] This program allows PS3 owners
to lend the computing power of their consoles to help study the process of protein
folding for disease research.
Use in supercomputing
Main article: PlayStation 3 cluster

PS3's hardware has also been used to build supercomputers for high-performance
computing.[83] Fixstars Solutions sells a version of Yellow Dog Linux for PlayStation
3 (originally sold by Terra Soft Solutions).[84] RapidMind produced a stream
programming package for PS3,[85] but were acquired by Intel in 2009. Also, on
January 3, 2007, Dr. Frank Mueller, Associate Professor of Computer
Science at NCSU, clustered 8 PS3s. Mueller commented that the 256 MB of
system RAM is a limitation for this particular application and is considering
attempting to retrofit more RAM. Software includes: Fedora Core 5 Linux ppc64,
MPICH2, OpenMP v 2.5, GNU Compiler Collection and CellSDK 1.1.[86][87][88] As a
more cost-effective alternative to conventional supercomputers, the U.S. military
has purchased clusters of PS3 units for research purposes.[89] Retail PS3 Slim units
cannot be used for supercomputing, because PS3 Slim lacks the ability to boot into
a third-party OS.
In December 2008, a group of hackers used a cluster of 200 PlayStation 3
computers to crack SSL authentication.[90]
In November 2010 the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) created a
powerful supercomputer by connecting together 1,760 Sony PS3s which include
168 separate graphical processing units and 84 coordinating servers in a parallel
array capable of performing 500 trillion floating-point operations per
second (500 TFLOPS).[91] As built the Condor Cluster was the 33rd largest
supercomputer in the world and would be used to analyze high definition satellite
imagery.[92]
Technical specifications
Main article: PlayStation 3 technical specifications

The RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' on a PlayStation 3 motherboard

PlayStation 3 features a slot-loading 2x speed Blu-ray Disc drive for games, Blu-
ray movies, DVDs, and CDs.[93] It was originally available with hard drives of 20 and
60 GB (20 GB model was not available in PAL regions)[94][95] but various sizes up to
500 GB[96][97] have been made available since then (see: model comparison). All
PS3 models have user-upgradeable 2.5" SATA hard drives.[98]
PlayStation 3 uses the Cell microprocessor, designed by Sony, Toshiba and IBM,
as its CPU, which is made up of one 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based "Power Processing
Element" (PPE) and eight Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs).[99] To
increase yields and reduce costs, the chip has 8 SPEs. After manufacture, every
chip is tested and a defective SPE disconnected using laser trimming, leaving 7
SPEs. This means that otherwise discarded processors can be used, reducing
costs and waste.[100][101] Only six of the seven SPEs are accessible to developers as
the seventh SPE is reserved by the console's operating system.[101] Graphics
processing is handled by the Nvidia RSX 'Reality Synthesizer', which can produce
resolutions from 480i/576i SD up to 1080p HD.[93] PlayStation 3 has 256 MB of XDR
DRAM main memory and 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory for the RSX.[102]
The system has Bluetooth 2.0 (with support for up to seven Bluetooth
devices[103]), Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 and HDMI 1.4[note 1] built in. Wi-Fi networking
is also built-in on all but the 20 GB models, while a flash card reader (compatible
with Memory Stick, SD/MMC and CompactFlash/Microdrive media) is built-in on
60 GB and CECHExx 80 GB models.[93][102]
Models
Main article: PlayStation 3 models

PlayStation 3 has been produced in various models: the original, the Slim, and the
Super Slim. Successive models have added or removed various features, reduced
the console's initial purchase price and weight, and increased storage capacity
(with exceptions).
Controllers and accessories
Main article: PlayStation 3 accessories

DualShock 3 controller in hand

Numerous accessories for the console have been developed. These accessories
include the wireless Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers, the Logitech Driving
Force GT, the Logitech Cordless Precision Controller, the BD Remote,
the PlayStation Eye camera, and the PlayTV DVB-T tuner/digital video
recorder accessory.[104][105]
At Sony's E3 press conference in 2006, the then standard
wireless Sixaxis controller was announced. The controller was based on the same
basic design as the PlayStation 2's DualShock 2 controller but was wireless, lacked
vibration capabilities, had a built-in accelerometer (that could detect motion in three
directional and three rotational axes; six in total, hence the name Sixaxis) and had
a few cosmetic tweaks.
At its press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Sony
announced DualShock 3 (trademarked DUALSHOCK 3), a PlayStation 3 controller
with the same function and design as Sixaxis, but with vibration capability
included.[106] Hands-on accounts describe the controller as being noticeably heavier
than the standard Sixaxis controller and capable of vibration forces comparable to
DualShock 2.[107] It was released in Japan on November 11, 2007;[108] in North
America on April 5, 2008;[109] in Australia on April 24, 2008; in New Zealand on May
9, 2008; in mainland Europe on July 2, 2008,[110] and in the United Kingdom and
Ireland on July 4, 2008.
During E3 2009, Sony unveiled plans to release a motion controller later to be
named PlayStation Move at GDC 2010. It was released on September 15, 2010, in
Europe; September 19, 2010, in North America and October 21, 2010, in Japan.[111]
On October 13, 2010, Sony announced an official surround sound system for PS3
through the official PlayStation YouTube channel.[112]
The PlayStation 3 can also use DualShock 4 controller initially via USB cable, but
Firmware update 4.60 enabled wireless connection.[113]
Statistics regarding reliability

Some original "fat" PS3 systems display a yellow light, indicating a non-specific failure.

According to Ars Technica, the number of PlayStation 3 consoles that have

experienced failure is well within the normal failure rates in the consumer
electronics industry;[114] a 2009 study by SquareTrade, a warranty provider, found a
two-year failure rate of 10% for PlayStation 3s.[115]
In September 2009, BBC's Watchdog television program aired a report
investigating the issue, calling it the "yellow light of death" (YLOD). Among the
consoles that experienced the failure, they found that it usually occurred 18–24
months after purchase, while the standard Sony warranty covers one year after
purchase. After this time period, PlayStation 3 owners can pay Sony a fixed fee for
a refurbished console.[116]
Sony claimed that, according to its statistics of returned consoles, approximately
0.5% of consoles were reported as showing the YLOD.[116][117] In response to the
televised report, Sony issued a document criticizing the program's accuracy and
conclusions; specifically that the faults were evidence of a manufacturing defect.
The document also complained that the report had been inappropriate in tone and
might damage Sony's brand name.[117][118]

Software
Main articles: PlayStation 3 system software and List of PlayStation applications

System software
Sony has included the ability for the operating system, referred to as System
Software, to be updated.[119] The updates can be acquired in several ways:

 If PlayStation 3 has an active Internet connection, updates may be downloaded

directly from the PlayStation Network to PlayStation 3 and subsequently installed.
Systems with active Internet will automatically check online for software updates each
time the console is started.
 Using an external PC, a user may download the update from the official PlayStation
website, transfer it to portable storage media and install it on the system.
 Some game discs come with system software updates on the disc. This may be due to
the game requiring the update in order to run. If so, the software may be installed from
the disc.[119]
The original PlayStation 3 also included the ability to install other operating
systems,[120] such as Linux.[121] This was not included in the newer slim models and
was removed from all older PlayStation 3 consoles with the release of firmware
update 3.21 in April 2010. The functionality is now only available to users of
original consoles who choose not to update their system software beyond version
3.15[122] or who have installed third-party, modified and unofficial versions of the
firmware instead.[123]
Graphical user interface
Main article: XrossMediaBar – PlayStation 3 XMB

The XrossMediaBar (XMB) used on the PS3.

The standard PlayStation 3 version of the XrossMediaBar (pronounced Cross

Media Bar, or abbreviated XMB) includes nine categories of options. These
are: Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, TV/Video
Services, Game, Network, PlayStation Network and Friends (similar to
the PlayStation Portable media bar). TheTV/Video Services category is for services
like Netflix and/or if PlayTV or torne is installed; the first category in this section is
"My Channels", which lets users download various streaming services, including
Sony's own streaming services Crackle and PlayStation Vue. By default,
the What's New section of PlayStation Network is displayed when the system starts
up. PS3 includes the ability to store various master and secondary user profiles,
manage and explore photos with or without a musical slide show, play music and
copy audio CD tracks to an attached data storage device, play movies and video
files from the hard disk drive, an optical disc (Blu-ray Disc or DVD-Video) or an
optional USB mass storage or Flash card, compatibility for a USB keyboard and
mouse and a web browser supporting compatible-file download
function.[124] Additionally, UPnP media will appear in the respective
audio/video/photo categories if a compatible media server or DLNA server is
detected on the local network. The Friends menu allows mail with emoticon and
attached picture features and video chat which requires an optional PlayStation
Eye or EyeToy webcam.[125] The Network menu allows online shopping through
the PlayStation Store and connectivity to PlayStation Portable via Remote Play.[125]
Digital rights management
PlayStation 3 console protects certain types of data and uses digital rights
management to limit the data's use. Purchased games and content from the
PlayStation Network store are governed by PlayStation's Network Digital Rights
Management (NDRM). The NDRM allows users to access the data from up to 2
different PlayStation 3's that have been activated using a user's PlayStation
Network ID.[126] PlayStation 3 also limits the transfer of copy protected videos
downloaded from its store to other machines and states that copy protected video
"may not restore correctly" following certain actions after making a backup such as
downloading a new copy protected movie.[127]
Photo management
Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery main menu

Photo Gallery is an optional application to view, create and group photos from PS3,
which is installed separately from the system software at 105 MB. It was introduced
in system software version 2.60 and provides a range of tools for sorting through
and displaying the system's pictures. The key feature of this application is that it
can organize photos into groups according to various criteria. Notable
categorizations are colors, ages, or facial expressions of the people in the photos.
Slideshows can be viewed with the application, along with music and playlists. The
software was updated with the release of system software version 3.40 allowing
users to upload and browse photos on Facebook and Picasa.[128]
PlayMemories Studio
PlayMemories is an optional stereoscopic 3D (and also standard) photo viewing
application,[129] which is installed from the PlayStation Store at 956 MB. The
application is dedicated specifically to 3D photos and features the ability to zoom
into 3D environments and change the angle and perspective of panoramas.[130] It
requires system software 3.40 or higher; 3D photos; a 3D HDTV, and an HDMI
cable for the 3D images to be viewed properly.
Video services
Video editor and uploader
A new application was released as part of system software version 3.40 which
allows users to edit videos on PlayStation 3 and upload them to the Internet. The
software features basic video editing tools including the ability to cut videos and
add music and captions. Videos can then be rendered and uploaded to video
sharing websites such as Facebook and YouTube.[128]
Video on demand
In addition to the video service provided by the Sony Entertainment Network, the
PlayStation 3 console has access to a variety of third party video services,
dependent on region:
Since June 2009, VidZone has offered a free music video streaming service in
Europe,[131] Australia and New Zealand.[132] In October 2009, Sony Computer
Entertainment and Netflix announced that the Netflix streaming service would also
be available on PlayStation 3 in the United States. A paid Netflix subscription was
required for the service.[133] The service became available in November
2009.[134] Initially users had to use a free Blu-ray disc to access the service;
however, in October 2010 the requirement to use a disc to gain access was
removed.[135]
In April 2010, support for MLB.tv was added, allowing MLB.tv subscribers to watch
regular season games live in HD and access new interactive features designed
exclusively for PSN.[136]
In November 2010, access to the video and social networking site MUBI was
enabled for European, New Zealand, and Australian users; the service integrates
elements of social networking with rental or subscription video streaming, allowing
users to watch and discuss films with other users.[137][138] Also in November 2010 the
video rental service VUDU,[139] NHL GameCenter Live,[140] and subscription
service Hulu Plus launched on PlayStation 3 in the United States.[141]
In August 2011, Sony, in partnership with DirecTV, added NFL Sunday
Ticket.[142] Then in October 2011, Best Buy launched an app for
its CinemaNow service.[143] In April 2012, Amazon.com launched an Amazon
Video app, accessible to Amazon Prime subscribers (in the US).[144]
Upon reviewing the PlayStation and Netflix collaboration, Pocket-Lint said "We've
used the Netflix app on Xbox too and, as good as it is, we think the PS3 version
might have the edge here." and stated that having Netflix and LoveFilm on
PlayStation is "mind-blowingly good."[145]
In July 2013, YuppTV OTT player launched its branded application on the PS3
computer entertainment system in the United States.[146][147]
OtherOS support
Main article: OtherOS

PlayStation 3 initially shipped with the ability to install an alternative operating

system alongside the main system software; Linux and other Unix-based operating
systems were available. The hardware allowed access to six of the
seven Synergistic Processing Elements of the Cell microprocessor, but not
the RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' graphics chip.
The 'OtherOS' functionality was not present in the updated PS Slim models, and
the feature was subsequently removed from previous versions of the PS3 as part
of the machine's firmware update version 3.21 which was released on April 1,
2010;[148] Sony cited security concerns as the rationale. The firmware update 3.21
was mandatory for access to the PlayStation Network.[149] The removal caused
some controversy; as the update removed officially advertised features from
already sold products, and gave rise to several class action lawsuits aimed at
making Sony return the feature or provide compensation.[150][151]
On December 8, 2011, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg dismissed the last
remaining count of the class action lawsuit (other claims in the suit had previously
been dismissed), stating: "As a legal matter, ... plaintiffs have failed to allege facts
or articulate a theory on which Sony may be held liable."[152]
As of January 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit partially
reversed the dismissal and have sent the case back to the district court.[153]
Leap year bug
On March 1, 2010 (UTC), many of the original "fat" PlayStation 3 models worldwide
were experiencing errors related to their internal system clock. The error had many
symptoms. Initially, the main problem seemed to be the inability to connect to
the PlayStation Network. However, the root cause of the problem was unrelated to
the PlayStation Network, since even users who had never been online also had
problems playing installed offline games (which queried the system timer as part of
startup) and using system themes. At the same time many users noted that the
console's clock had gone back to December 31, 1999. The event was nicknamed
the ApocalyPS3, a play on the word apocalypse and PS3, the abbreviation for the
PlayStation 3 console.[154]
The error code displayed was typically 8001050F and affected users were unable
to sign in, play games, use dynamic themes and view/sync trophies.[155] The
problem only resided within the 1st through to the 3rd generation original PS3 units
while the newer "Slim" models were unaffected because of different internal
hardware for the clock.
Sony confirmed that there was an error and stated that it was narrowing down the
issue and were continuing to work to restore service.[156] By March 2 (UTC), 2010,
owners of original PS3 models could connect to PSN successfully and the clock no
longer showed December 31, 1999.[157] Sony stated that the affected models
incorrectly identified 2010 as a leap year, because of a bug in the BCD method of
storing the date.[158][159] However, for some users, the hardware's operating system
clock (mainly updated from the internet and not associated with the internal clock)
needed to be updated manually or by re-syncing it via the internet.
On June 29, 2010, Sony released PS3 system software update 3.40, which
improved the functionality of the internal clock to properly account for leap years.[160]