http://www.haxnetwork.net/2010/03/otheros-will-not-be-removed-from-phat-ps3s/
>> Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
>> the support for previously sold models that have the
>> “Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will
>> not be disabled in future firmware releases.
"The text above was provided to me by SCE management" -Geoffrey Levand, sony.com
EDIT:
What makes you think that when PS3 is hacked that Linux will be needed to use the hack, or that it will only work on phat PS3s? Linux is just used to open the door. Obviously removing it now won't stop the hackers, because they simply won't update. On the contrary, they will work harder, because they now have a legitimate reason to hack PS3. So far, Other OS prevented many hackers from trying to crack PS3, because there was really no need to.
So all this does is punish regular users who bought the launch model for a lot of money.
EDIT 2: Geohot Replies
Wait, you are removing a feature?
Now you go and remove a feature that people expected to be included with the expensive device they purchased, citing "security concerns". What security concerns? It's not like the exploit can be run even close to without the users knowledge. You have to open the fucking thing up. How could this harm users? Your blog post doesn't list positive reasons for upgrading like I think most users expect. Instead it lists things you will lose if you don't upgrade. Seriously?
The PlayStation 3 is the only product I know that loses features throughout it's life cycle. Software PS2 emulation, SACD playback, and OtherOS support are all just software switches you can flip. It's unbelievable you would go and flip one, not just on new boxes you are shipping, but on tens of millions already in the field.
Again I'm sorry users. Sony, I expected more from you.
Don't Update
"Well certainly with the Xbox 360, we had some challenges at the launch. Once we identified that we took control of it. We wanted to do it right by our customers. Our customers are very important to us." -Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb (10/2013). Note: RRoD was fixed with the Jasper-revision 3 years after the launch of 360
"People don't pay attention to a lot of the details."-Yusuf Mehdi explaining why Xbone DRM scheme would succeed
"Fortunately we have a product for people who aren't able to get some form of connectivity; it's called Xbox 360,”-Don Mattrick
"The region locking of the 3DS wasn't done for profits on games"-MDMAlliance