F the 360, PS3 for me

[Lyion]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/06/09 ... 27219.html

Ken Kutaragi reveals the console's hard drive will use alternate OS, hints that it will ship separately and will come in more than one model.

Since E3, Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi has been calling the PlayStation 3 an "entertainment supercomputer" rather than a gaming console. Now, he's revealed a new plan to make sure that it's acknowledged as one.

In an interview with Impress PC Watch, Kutaragi disclosed that he plans to install the Linux operating system on the PS3's hard disc drive (HDD) so it will be recognized as a computer, rather than a mere console.

But while Linux would require a hard drive to run on, Kutaragi told Impress PC Watch, "We're not going to equip [the PS3 with] a HDD by default, because no matter how much [capacity] we put in it, it won't be enough." It was unclear whether he was referring to the previously known fact that the PS3 would not have an internal hard drive or whether he was indicating that the device would not come with the external 2.5-inch detachable HDD outlined in the specs revealed at E3.

If the latter is the case, then hard drives will be optional--and will cost extra. Kutaragi seemed to confirm this when he said, "There are still some issues if the machine doesn't come with an HDD." Further comments seemed to indicate that there will be more than one model of optional add-on PS3 HDDs available at launch. "We've added a 2.5-inch HDD bay so that users can equip HDDs, such as 80GB and 120GB, even though that's still not enough [capacity]." By contrast, the Xbox 360 will ship with a 20GB hard drive, standard. No other 360 HDD models have been announced, although Microsoft officials have indicated larger-capacity models could be produced if needed.

A complete translation of Kutaragi's interview with Impress PC Watch is below:

Impress PC Watch: The PlayStation 3 has some extremely high specifications, but it doesn't come with an HDD. Why?

Ken Kutaragi: We're not going to equip [the PS3 with] an HDD by default, because no matter how much [capacity] we put in it, it won't be enough. The next step is definitely network drives. With the Cell server, they can be accessed from anywhere, via network. Whether it's your own house [or] your friend's house, you can access the [network hard drive] anywhere. That's the kind of world we're imagining. But there are still some issues if the machine doesn't come with an HDD. So this time, we've added a 2.5-inch HDD bay so that users can equip HDDs, such as 80GB and 120GB, even though that's still not enough [capacity]. Although a network drive would allow for terabytes of storage, there's still the necessity to run an operating system offline. A hard drive for running an OS will be required for [the PS3] to be recognized as a computer.

IPCW: Do you mean to say that you'll run an OS on the PS3 to use it as a computer?

KK: I believe its wrong that, while we've been calling PlayStations "computers," Nintendo, which is in our same business, keeps telling the world their consoles are "toys." So even though we're making something that has the capability to be recognized as a supercomputer and requires paperwork when exporting or importing, the government sees it as a "toy." The PlayStation 2 has something as great as the Emotion Engine, and it can even run Linux, but it's still considered a gaming machine. I thought that the situation would become better since Microsoft appeared [in the gaming industry] from the IT field. But they won't say it either, since they want to protect their business. They see problems if the Xbox could run Windows, so they keep calling the Xbox a "game machine." It is really a pain in the neck. This time, we're positioning the PS3 as a "supercomputer." But people won't recognize it as a computer unless we call it a computer, so we're going to run an OS on it. In fact, the Cell can run multiple OSes. In order to run the OSes, we need an HDD. So in order to declare that the PS3 is a computer, I think we'll have [the PS3's HDD] preinstalled with Linux as a bonus.

IPCW: So Linux can be run on the Cell?

KK: Linux is legacy, but it will be a start. In the case of the Cell, operation systems are applications. The kernel will be running on the Cell, and multiple OSes will be running on top of that as applications. Of course, the PS3 can run Linux. If Linux can run, so can Lindows. Other PC Operating Systems can run too, such as Windows and Tiger (Max OS X 10.4), if the publishers want [them] to do so. Maybe a new OS might come out.

IPCW: Does that mean that we can expect applications that take advantage of the Cell, aside from games?

KK: As an example, HD video-editing software is basically the same as the nonlinear editing system used in broadcasting stations. What we're trying to do on the PS3 is that level of software. Nonlinear editing systems are incredible, but if it was done on the Cell, it would be even more incredible... The difference will be obvious. I think other PC applications, like photo-retouching software, will also be able to be done on the PS3. The user interface will also get interesting. In the case of the PC, users will have to wait for years between XP's UI to Longhorn's. But the PS3's UI will evolve much faster. For example, if we had an interface where we could control applications using gestures and words using the EyeToy, it would be like Minority Report. Of course, that kind of an evolution will also reflect on games. This will be the first form that [the Cell] will be spread. It can connect a keyboard, and it has all the necessary interfaces. It can run media, and it can run on a network. It's got such an all-around purpose, and it's open. It will become completely open if we equip it with Linux, and programmers will be able to do anything with it. It's the same thing with the graphics, since it's got the shaders.

By Staff -- GameSpot

[Tossica]

eh...

Not sure how this is a big deal.

[Tikker]

lyion loves linux the way mindia loves saying stupid shit

[Gidan]

I am looking forward to this, I for 1 will be getting a PS3. With the spec sheet on this machine, and a good OS on it, you could probably do some interesting things with it especially in the graphics area.

[Lyion]

lyion loves linux the way mindia loves saying stupid shit

I just think it'll be cool and enable me to do everything I need to do on a PC, Xbox, and game console on one.

...without a subscription!

[Agrajag]

lyion loves linux the way mindia loves saying stupid shit

I didn't think it was possible to love anything that much!

[vonkaar]

why is this in tech support? =p

[Gidan]

This seems to be the default location for everything tech. Probably should change the title to Tech News and Support or somthing like that

[Harrison]

^^^^
Agree

[Tikker]

lyion loves linux the way mindia loves saying stupid shit

I just think it'll be cool and enable me to do everything I need to do on a PC, Xbox, and game console on one.

...without a subscription!

hey, don't get me wrong

I'll have a ps3 in my rec room asap as well


the funny part is the ps3 is really close to what i've been trying to build myself for a while now

I've a got a ps2 connected to a network hard drive playing all the games I have stored on my file server

I have a media streamer so that I can watch all my personal backups of DVD's on my TV without ever changing a disk

stream all my music to the stereo

etc etc


plus, i'm secretly a playstation fanboi

[brinstar]

REVOLUTION

[Harrison]

plus, i'm secretly a playstation fanboi

Are you a card carrying fanboi like me?

(I'm serious, are you in the G.A.P.?)

[Tossica]

If the next XBox is anywhere near as customizable as the current one, the PS3 will have nothing on it.

A friend of mine is currently using his XBox as an internet media server. It's sick.

[Lyion]

why is this in tech support? =p

It crosses pretty much every moderated forum here. Since its mainly about PS3 and Linux I figured here is a good place for it, since our Lesbian Hooter Linux Advocate might get irked if I put a Linux type thread anywhere else.

[Lyion]

why is this in tech support? =p

It crosses pretty much every moderated forum here. Since its mainly about PS3 and Linux I figured here is a good place for it, since our Lesbian Hooter Linux Advocate might get irked if I put a Linux type thread anywhere else.

If the next XBox is anywhere near as customizable as the current one, the PS3 will have nothing on it.

A friend of mine is currently using his XBox as an internet media server. It's sick.

Thats just it, if the PS3 ships with a Linux distro it'll automatically have everything that Xbox hackers have (possibly illegaly) spent years doing to the Xbox and without having to deal with any MS proprietary shit or network subscriptions to game.

It will be sick from day one, whereis the 360 will still need all the external shiite to come close.

[Tossica]

Ah, so you think Sony will release the PS3 wide open so that people will never have to pay for media?

Doubt it. They have huge plans for it but in the end it's going to be another console.

[Lyion]

Of course not, but they are not charging a subscription to PLAY online games. MS is.

Again, they are bundling Linux with the HDD for this, which enables it to essentially be a PC/Game Console combo with many other options. This is far superior to 360 which at best will allow for a stripped version of Windows with many lockdowns and more of an eye to MS propriety

[Tossica]

I call bullshit on almost ALL Sony hype. They are masters of hype and reality ends up being about 1/10th of what they claimed the product would do.

[Lyion]

Thats certainly a possibility but I hope they deliver what they promise.

Given most of the Xbox mods are based on Linux, if it comes standard on PS3 HDDs which really shouldn't be too hard given it runs on the hardware now, then it'll be nice.

I just don't see paying MS to play online when all they are doing is using the Internet. Xbox Live is bullshit.

[Harrison]

You bought the game, you bought the Xbox, now they want you to pay for the access to the internet you already pay for?

That was the defining reason I never got an Xbox.