PS3 Hacks

Sony's Playstation 3, or PS3, video game console was released in November 2006, and has since been through several releases.http://www.vgescape.com/features/89/ps3-release-date The most recent model, popularly known as the PS3 Slim, was launched in September 2009. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10312144-1.html

The PS3 is one of the 3 major game consoles on the market today. Among its many features are a Blu-ray player which allows you to view movies in high quality when used with a high-definition TV (HDTV), and free access to online gameplay via Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) service.

Within a few weeks of its launch, information began to circulate about various “hacks” and “mods”. These modifications allow users to do many things that a normal PS3 cannot do, e.g., running a Linux operating system, using the PS3 as a computer in its own right.http://kotaku.com/217060/ps3-hacking-has-begunhttp://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4263321.html

Hacks are said to be possible that allow such things as playing new games on older models where they normally wouldn’t run, streaming PC or Mac games to a PS3 or vice versa, downloading games via a PC, running Xbox or Nintendo games on a PS3, and backing up Blu-ray discs. Whether all of these claims are reliable is another matter, and many of them may require considerable technical understanding to implement.

Before starting, please be aware that such hacks are not approved of by Sony, and that, as they are the work of amateurs and hobbyists, they may not always work well. Using such hacks may void the warranty on your machine. However, if you for example have a spare old machine or especially enjoy exploring technology, you may consider that the fun of experimenting is worth the risks involved. In that case, the resources on this page will help you explore the world of PS3 hacks.

In June 2008, Popular Mechanics published detailed instructions on how to turn a PS3 device into a personal computer of sorts. On its website, the magazine explained that because the PS3's cell processor was so powerful, it could easily be modified to function as a Linux computer by upgrading the system's hard drive from the normal 20 or 40GB to 250GB. Published instructions showed users how to successfully hack the PS3 to allow it to run on the Linux Ubuntu operating system.Popular Mechanics: How to Turn Your PlayStation 3 Into a Linux PC (June 2008)