Linux on PS3

[Nimda]

In an interview with Impress PC Watch, Sony Computer Entertainment president 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.

Excerpts from the interview:

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.

Source: Gamespot News

 

[QwertyManiac]

see this too
*www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/games/manifesto.html

 

[q3_abhi]

It will be great if PS3 will be bundled with an easy-to-use OS.
But the the title "PS3" should be renamed.

 

[Nemesis]

Sony really need to pull up their socks and do something special with the PS3 else they can say bye-bye to the top spot in the console wars. No hard drive, expected to cost $400-500, and a release date about 9 months away from the Xbox 360...the scene doesn't look too good. Linux won't make it any better. Seriously, I don't see the point of being able to install Linux if the HDD will be an optional accessory. :roll:

 

[enoonmai]

@Nemesis: Its not just about the OS and the HDD, its a whole new ball game that Sony and Kutaragi are trying t play. While the console may not be that far behind the X360, considering the fact that most people think that if Sony is gonna delay it even a bit, Microsoft would follow suit to tweak its console a bit more. If all things go according to plan, however, the PS3 should release in July 2006 and the X360 should release in December 2005, a whole seven months before the PS3. Kutaragi has also hinted that the PS3 will not be a "pure gaming console" like the PS2 was, but a whole new beast, one that serves as a "lifestyle computing" device, (I think he called it). Sony has been known to lie through their teeth before, so I can't comment on this without sufficient data, but if they can pull it off, Sony has a very good of hitting a home run with the PS3.

But it also has a few things going against it, most notably the terrible price point and not to mention the touting of BluRay media. Seeing as to how BluRay is looking like its on the losing side of the DVD-successor wars as of now, this move may cost Sony more than they think it will. Of course, its not a problem in Japan. Those tech-hungry maniacs already have BluRay PVRs and worship Sony instead of God, but what about the rest of the world?

However, Microsoft is no saint either. Their $299 version of the X360 has no detachable HDD or wireless controllers, and as one source put it "only the most stupid gamer would want the $299 version." While I have a bone to pick with that as far as international users are concerned, I think that move by Microsoft not to include HDDs in both the versions is a mistake. Of course, Microsoft may play a different tune when Sony releases the PS3, marking down the prices by another $50 or so to boost sales. Of course, its no secret that all console manufacturers sell their consoles for a price cheaper than it takes for them to manufacture it, expecting it to make up with game sales. Which means that no matter what happens, Sony may still pull this off, simply because of the huge number of developers for their platforms (Microsoft is catching up, too, but they've still got a long way to go), that is, if they can overcome the limitations of coding for multicore systems.

 

[Nemesis]

@enoon: The $399 version does have a 20GB detachable hard drive and the 360 will ship in November (December in Japan)

No matter how much they tout it as a "lifestyle computing" device, they will be hard pressed to find buyers at the $500 price point, especially if the 360 gives them something more for less money. And like I mentioned, the 360 has a 9 month head start. By the time the PS3 comes out, MS could very well slash prices and release Halo 3 to eat into PS3 sales.

The exclusion of an HDD could be their worst mistake.

 

[tarey_g]

i agre with nemi here, we don't know what sony has planned exactly ,but what we know till date convinces that the microsoft console is going to crack sony's share in the market further then it did when microsoft released xbox last time.
and the whole xbox live thing is ruling hardcore gamers already and the promise of better xbox live services on xbox360 is a big plus point for microsoft.

And like I mentioned, the 360 has a 9 month head start. By the time the PS3 comes out, MS could very well slash prices and release Halo 3 to eat into PS3 sales.

and this is gonna happen for sure.microsoft already indicated that.

Till the sony console comes out xbox360 wud have done much damage. And what developers and programmers sayin abt xbx360 is that it will be easier to code for xbox360 then for the ps3.

but in the end sony is not any other new player in the console market, sony is dominating the market since last few years, so lets wait and see what happens in the console wars2.

 

[icecoolz]

Interesting scenarios. MS, we all know had the better gaming console with the X-BOX as compared to the PS2. And also since the X-BOX is so moddable it became a massive hit as it did not just remain a gaming console anymore. Now with X-BOX 360 immenent release in December and the PS3 9 months later, I seriously hope Sony know what they are doing. But then never discount Sony. They are where they because of their inventiveness and innovation. It could be a double-edged sword for Sony. Ms will rake in the profits, cut prices for their gaming consoles and have a big run into the gaming market share by the time Sony comes out with the PS3. But the the PS3 could be something diff altogether....We'll have to wait and see. Also there is the new console coming from Nitendo which no one seems to be thinkin abt... hmmm...maybe that is precisely how Nintendo wants to play it ....

 

[enoonmai]

LOL, seriously. Does anyone think that the launch of a single game title is gonna affect the sales of a multi-million selling console? I've already talked a lot about this at GS with hardcore gamers as well as some game devs, and they all agree that while Halo 3 will be a good boost for the XBox 360, the general consensus is that the game won't be out until 2007. (In fact, now rumor control has it that the game may be released to coincide with the release of the Halo movie in 2007) Now unless Sony is going to delay the release of the PS3 until 2007 (and there are good chances of that happening, as well) the game will most probably not affect the PS3's sales in ANY foreseeable way. While Halo was the game that sold the XBox, there's nothing to say that Halo 3 will do the same for the X360. Not everyone is going to run out and buy a $399 console because of a single game. They buy it for all the things the consoles can support, not for just one game. It was totally different for Halo and the XBox, since there it was the first console to offer ultra-gorgeous graphics for the console gamer, and combined with the Live service, brought multiplayer gaming to the console as well.

No matter which way I look at it, the saying that Halo 3 will eat into PS3 sales makes no sense to me whatsoever. However, the argument that the X360 will eat into the sales of the XBox is a good and valid one. Most multiplatform gamers like myself, who own a PS2 would switch to the X360, not because of anything else, but simply because a) it releases earlier, b) its cheaper than the other console. However, once again, price isn't the only factor that decides the sales of a console. The XBox was priced higher than the PS3, yet we know how this one turned out. Microsoft says a lot of things, but they're just as arrogant and cocksure as anybody else in the market. After all, its not only MS's J. Allard that say things like - "What gets me out of bed and into the office every day is the thought of Ken Kutaragi's resignation letter, framed, hanging next to my desk."

Also, the fact that most developers and programmers are saying that its easier to code for the X360 than for the PS3, speaks volumes about the consoles. If the companies had only thought about providing high quality gaming and ease of programming to the developers, they would have very well stuck an Intel Pentium D or an AMD64 into the consoles, instead of going with the custom IBM processors. Game developers screamed their head off when the PS2 (which was the first console to go around handing devkits to developers) launched, saying that it was a nightmare coding for it. Yet, they sucked it up and a few years down the line, the games started improving. For all that people scream about the death of the PS2, there are still some wonderful high quality graphics still being developed for the platform. Games like God of War and upcoming likes Black still manage to push the envelope for the PS2 even further than Sony had imagined. In fact, Ubisoft and Criterion Games leads said that even Sony was surprised when they managed to roll out games like Prince of Persia: Warrior Within and Burnout 3: Takedown with a graphical quality that was nearly indistinguishable from the XBox versions.

Realistically speaking, the higher the technology, the more difficult it is to program for it. And before someone criticizes me, I am no Sony or Microsoft fanboy. I am just a gamer looking to get the better end of the deal. Its just a realistic way of looking at things without having corporate propaganda cloud and affect what we think about the consoles.

@EDIT:
@icecoolz: ROTFL! Tell me about it. I am getting a weird feeling that Nintendo will be laughing all the way to the bank when it comes to the next-gen console wars. Its no secret that every single console maker sells his consoles cheaper than it takes to manufacture them and recover the cost through game sales. However, since Nintendo is using current-gen tech, their profit margins will rise substantially, not to mention the fact that the Revolution supports every single Nintendo game ever made, which is like a godsend for the gamers. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if their new console retails the "Best Family Gaming Console" title like its predecessor. Heck, maybe Nintendo's internal reference to their new console is the "Silent Revolution."

 

[Nemesis]

Yeah, we too need to wait and watch which console delivers and which fails But just to re-iterate my point, a high price tag and lack of an HDD will seriously affect PS3 sales. And AFAIK, Sony still doesn't have anything similar to Xbox Live nor do they have any plans for doing that (correct me if I'm wrong). But, who knows, Sony might still have an ace up their sleeve.

Coming to the Revolution, Nintendo has claimed several times that their new console will indeed be a Revolution. The ultra-compact size, is a small revolution in itself to begin with. With rumors of gyroscopic controllers, some new 3-D technology, etc. I do expect Nintendo to create ripples in the next-gen console market. But the fact that it releases after the 360 and possibly even after the PS3 might cause problems. But they have franchises to back them up Not to forget Wi-Fi out of the box