Sony Considers Linux for PS3 Hard Disk

Radeon350_at_yahoo.com
Date: 06/10/05 

Date: 9 Jun 2005 22:03:42 -0700

Sony hopes to have major non-game software support for new system.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/624/624046p1.html

by IGN Staff

June 9, 2005 - Continuing its Ken Kutaragi interview from yesterday,
Japanese site PC Watch has scored more commentary from the father of
the PlayStation brand. As with yesterday's interview, today's interview
features Kutaragi touching on his vision of things to come with the
next generation PS3, this time focusing specifically on the system's
hard disk and operating system.

In the interview, Kutaragi gives a reason for not building a hard disk
into the system, stating "We won't have the hard disk equipped by
default. The reason is, no matter how much we put in, it won't be
enough."

Kutaragi seems to have a disfavor for a local hard disk in the first
place, stating, "The next step is definitely network drives. With the
Cell server, [the storage] can be accessed from anywhere through the
network. In your own home, in your friend's home -- wherever you go,
you can theoretically see (the same network drive)".

However, Kutaragi recognizes the importance of a local drive as he
adds, "But there are issues with not having hard disk attached to the
system as well. This is why we've made it so that a 2.5 inch hard disk
can be added." Kutaragi makes it clear that even with a terabyte worth
of network storage, for the PS3 system to be recognized as a computer,
it needs to have a drive running an operating system.

And that operating system is... whatever you want it to be, apparently.
Sony is looking into having Linux installed from the start on the PS3
hard disk. Referring to Linux as being "legacy," Kutaragi adds that
it's just the start, as with Cell, the operating system runs as an
application on top of the basic Cell OS. The presence of the Cell OS
allows for multiple operating systems to run on the machine
simultaneously, including, of course, Linux, but also making room for
Windows and Apple's Tiger OS.

With an operating system in place, Kutaragi hopes to create an
environment in which people produce software for Cell and the PS3 --
and not just game software. Kutaragi hopes to see complex applications
such as high definition video editing software running on the system.
He comments that user interfaces will improve much more quickly than
what's happening in the PC world today, and that this will have a
direct impact on games. Additionally, Kutaragi feels that an open
environment will allow for more advanced game development tools above
the libraries that Sony has provided for its systems in the past.

Kutaragi's comments in this latest interview aren't directly related to
videogame applications of the PS3's hard disk. As with previous
interviews, which are hosted at a Japanese PC technology website, the
interviews focus more on the computing possibilities of the PS3 system
rather than the gaming possibilities.

Of particular note is that the question we're all wondering -- will
Sony include a hard disk with the PS3 directly out of the box -- goes
unanswered.

Relevant Pages

  • Sony Considers Linux for PS3 Hard Disk
    ... As with yesterday's interview, today's interview ... Kutaragi gives a reason for not building a hard disk ... it needs to have a drive running an operating system. ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Sony Considers Linux for PS3 Hard Disk
    ... As with yesterday's interview, today's interview ... Kutaragi gives a reason for not building a hard disk ... it needs to have a drive running an operating system. ...
    (alt.linux)