PS3 is Linux "supercomputer", claims Kutaragi

Post by **Tami** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:19 pm

PS3 is Linux "supercomputer", claims Kutaragi

Rob Fahey

Father of PlayStation is angry at Nintendo and Microsoft for positioning consoles as toys

Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi has claimed that the PlayStation 3 is being positioned as a supercomputer capable of running multiple operating systems, with the Linux system to be pre-installed on the machine's hard drive.

Interviewed by Japanese website PC Impress Watch, Kutaragi lashed out at Nintendo and Microsoft for defining their systems purely as toys or game consoles, and said that PS3 will be sold as a "supercomputer".

In order to accomplish that, the system will ship with the Linux operating system on its hard drive - although it's not yet clear whether that drive will actually ship with the system as part of the default configuration, or as an optional extra.

Kutaragi claims that the PS3 will be capable of running multiple operating systems, and could in theory run Linux, Windows and Mac OS X together. He also mentioned Lindows, a variety of Linux designed to emulate the ease of use of Windows, and alluded to a "new OS" which could be the Linux-based system which Sony is rumoured to be working on with a number of other Japanese companies as a potential competitor to Windows, especially in the media space.

This isn't the first time that Sony has tried to position one of its systems as a personal computer rather than a console - the firm tried to make the same claim about the PlayStation 2, in a move which was largely seen as an attempt to win lower import duty from the European Union.

However, this time around, Kutaragi seems serious about the system's computer-like capabilities - citing applications such as photo and video editing as possible functions for the system's Linux operating system software.

Such functionality would be a logical evolution of the type of software which ships with Sony's PSX media centre systems, and would be an unsurprising addition to the box given the company's ambition in the home media space.

It's an area where Sony seems likely to face competition not only from Microsoft, but also from Apple - which commentators believe is likely to make a bold move into the living room with a new product line based on the popular and low-cost Mac Mini computers, and powered by Intel processors.

It has emerged that Sony did indeed approach Apple with a view to encouraging the computer maker to include the Cell microprocessor in its future systems, but according to sources close to the Japanese company quoted by the New York Times, Apple boss Steve Jobs was "disappointed" in the Cell processor and opted for the Intel deal instead, although whether technical or commercial reasons were foremost in that decision is still unknown.

source: [url=\"http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9480\"]Games Industry Biz[/url]

David · Post by **David** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:41 am

Sony is bound to surprise us with its new Playstation 3 console; somehow or another I think that their rumoured Linux OS is going to be packaged with the HDD ... or even worse, a multi-OS HDD that's capable of being bought (Windows/Linux/Lindows/Mac OS X ? AMG NOOOOOOOO..the horrors). But regardless, consoles have become too powerful to just be played off as "consoles" - they have the power of several PCs backing them up these days. It's just that none of the games allow modification ...unlike on the PC where you can add hacks/modified maps/etc ... when they do allow modification like that for consoles... PCs will be dead in the realm of gaming. Lol.

Post by **Tami** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:58 pm

I think you may be right, Zorith. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to start seeing some modification allowances as the console hdd's are developed further. With keyboard and pseudo-mousing capabilities already present in the PS2 I don't think it will be long before the consoles are capable of 'net browsing and more.

Decessus · Post by **Decessus** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:41 am

there would be no point in allowing more than mods to your gaming console. the reason they have the power of several PC's in speed is because they dont have to run the extra core elements for a full blown OS basically. This is why console gamming is better than pc gamming. if net browsing and stuff is allowed on game consoles, we will end up having the same problems we do with PC's. I can see it now, third gen XBOX, and PS4 comes complete with system crashes, viruses, spyware, malware, and NORTONS. ;\ ie......once a week console scanning <img src=\'http://www.killanet.net/forum3/public/s ... >/lazy.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'-_-\' />

Vercz · Post by **Vercz** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 5:56 am

[color=\"black\"]...xbox bsod? [/color]

Kobra · Post by **Kobra** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:28 pm

I can't wait for the PS3, but since I only make about $250 CAD a month it will be a little hard to pay for.