I will say this only once as they say on Allo Allo.
Although they do not require PSN they do require a firmware that has the OtherOS capabilities. This feature has now been removed and all future and repaired consoles will come without this feature making them useless. Also even if they worked around this the machines would effectively become unsupported. Contrary to popular belief because the US military bought just under 2000 units via a third party Sony are under no more obligation than they are to anybody else who is upset about the removal of this feature.
If the military had a contract with Sony for a specific requirement then this I am sure would be a non issue but as the articles suggests this is not the case.
They basically selected a COTS product as it is cheaper. This happens all the time in military procurement. They become just another consumer in this respect. This is why depending on how critical the systems are or any special functions above and beyond, the militarises of this world tend to got to tender and have bespoke products made which cost light years more.
The lack of firmware updates and the removal of the OtherOS function means The PS3 console from this projects perspective becomes obsolete and they now need to understand how they support it going forward or even if they can.
I would suggest they are probably worrying less of this than we are.
W.L.B.B. Member, Portsmouth Branch.
(Welsh(Folk) Living Beyond Borders)
Winner of the 2010 VGC Holiday sales prediction thread with an Average 1.6% accuracy rating. I am indeed awesome.
Kinect as seen by PS3 owners ...if you can pick at it ...post it ... Did I mention the 360 was black and Shinny? Keeping Sigs obscure since 2007, Passed by the Sig police 5July10.
