PS3 Custom Firmware Promised To Bypass "Other OS" v3.21 Limitation

After Sony's somewhat bizarre "security" related decision to block Other OS installation on the original PS3 consoles with the next scheduled firmware update, hacker George Hotz – who some believe prompted Sony's move, after he publicly admitted to having hacked the console back in January 2010 – has promised a lifeline for console owners.  His advice is to avoid installing the PS3 firmware v3.21 due on April 1st, and instead wait for an alternative flashing app of his own design.

"Two things, some people seem to think CFW will enable some sort of piracy. It won't. It'll just be a custom version of 3.21 that doesn't lose OtherOS support. Hacking isn't about getting what you didn't pay for, it's about making sure you do get what you did." George Hotz ("geohot")

Time will be against the hacker – who made his name with iPhone exploits – since without the firmware patch in place, PS3 owners won't be able to access the PlayStation Network or use other multimedia functionality.  He is yet to describe exactly what his exploit will do, beyond creating a custom firmware build for the console that will keep it up to date with official functionality but also maintain the ability to install other OSes.