Even if the update did disable support for external HDDs/memory sticks, Sony has no means of physically disabling an external device, short of flashing the BIOS of the device, or sending a power surge... basically, risky, and, most importantly, illegal (or at least, I'm 90% sure it is).

But, of course, that isn't the case, anyway - I think it's pretty clear from the contents of the thread that the update is used to block unlicensed controllers and peripherals, only - still a dick move, as it only really serves the interest of Sony and large third-party hardware manufacturers, but nothing alike blocking "75 %" of all USB devices.

Wow, people just jump to conclusions to hear just what they want to hear.  It's sad really.

So I'm confused, what exactly is disabled?  What do they mean by 3rd party devices?

That article just makes it sound like unlicensed controllers that work the through the USB port are disabled which isn't really that big of a deal.  Of course I don't really know what that has to do with the PSJailbreak unless that pretended to be a controller.

Does this mean I can't use my USB hard drive and USB memory stick because that isn't what it sounds like?

As things stand, nothing has been disabled except the things known to hack the ps3, this person was trying to pretend that all 3rd party items (i.e anything not made by sony) was blocked but it's been proven to be a lie but some people are refusing to believe it.

No the disabled thing isnt even from Sony. Sony just released this statement about unlicensed peripherals and some random posted, admittedly, pulled a 75% figure out of his ass and started this mess.

As users here have pointed out hardly anything is effected if its legit. The user claims all madkatz controllers dont work, no one knows anything, im going to file this in the KB not an issue folder.

Sony disabled nothing officially, they released a statement about consumer alerts as far as i know. This whole 75% mess and Sony officially disabling 3rd party periphs is complete nonsense. 

That makes much more sense.  If they thought they were in a shit storm when they removed OtherOS I couldn't imagine the people rightly being pissed about not being able to use their USB drives properly.

I think the person who made up the % did it on purpose to see who he can get riled up and how...  Yep.

According to posters on gaf, the only device confirmed to not work after the update so far is the Yobo ps3/ps3 controller adapter.

A lot of guys over there have been trying their third party controllers, adapters, flash drives, etc., and haven't encountered any problems yet outside of that specific adapter.

Rather than break into a 5 minute rant (if you did this, take a bow), I took five minutes to confirm that...

Nothing vital has been disabled.

USB flash drive works? Check.

APC USB 4 port adapter works? Check.

DCamp 15 in one USB card reader works? Check.

SATA to USB HDD housing works? Check.

HVG2 PS2 USB converter hub works? Check.

PS2 2 Way game pad by Hori works? Check.

And that's about all I need to check offhand to come to the conclusion that the OP either really likes FUD and or trolling, or is a complete idiot incapable of checking sources first hand.

My madcatz Street Fighter Tournament Arcade stick still works fine. As does my logitech racing wheel. This thread is ridiculous Sony is not the enemy here and while PS2 and DC emulators are cool piracy is not. The PSP attach rate is under 3, why? There are tons of great games on the system but they just keep getting stolen over and over again. It isn't coincidence that an epic game like Metal Gear Solid Peacewalker won't break 2 million on a console with 60 million units sold.