4 ms·

Does anyone know if the DMA would apply to Playstation? Shouldn't I be allowed to boot whatever software I want (Linux) on my PS5?

Cthulhu_ 2y ago
Well, AFAIK you're allowed to, but that doesn't mean Sony needs to make it possible for you. That said, if Sony falls under the DMA, they may need to allow sideloading apps or 3rd party stores.
grishka 2y ago
Consoles aren't generally seen by people as general-purpose computers, neither are they marketed as such by their manufacturers. They're seen by most people as appliances for playing video games.
- karma_pharmer 2y ago
  I don't see cellphones as general purpose computers either. For exactly the same reason why I don't see game consoles as general purpose computers: neither one will run arbitrary programs. They only run programs that are blessed by their manufacturer. Both are appliances. I'm really failing to see the distinction here. Big tech will simply declare that phones aren't "general purpose computers". There is no reasonable endgame here in which: (a) this is enforced against cellphones and (b) this is not enforced against game consoles and (c) the EU doesn't end up looking completely ridiculous and arbitrary. I'm betting that they cave on (b). It's the least painful option. The EU is going to have to enforce this against game consoles in order to be taken seriously.
  - SSLy 2y ago
    Video Consoles are a semi-luxury product, not essentials to modern society like smartphones are.
  - seec 2y ago
    I need to have an app on my phone to manage my health care payment. I don't need a console for anything in particular. It's hardly the same thing. Some services are not even available on a traditional computer FinTech started as mobile apps and they added website support later. It's stupid but that's how things are, the majority has chosen...
SSLy 2y ago
No, it doesn't. It was designed to work on more general purpose devices. And even then the EC is not investigating MS Sony or Nintendo as gatekeepers of their respective consoles.
- lostmsu 2y ago
  IMHO, it should. And the same should apply to smart TV manufacturers. Should apply to anything that lets one install software.
jimbobthrowawy 2y ago
I don't think they've sold enough units in Europe to automatically qualify. Also wouldn't be surprised if games consoles have a dedicated carveout for the foreseeable future. I'd expect the online stores on those consoles, and the resale of digital content, to be impacted well before running other OSs on consoles that didn't ship with that feature.
kalleboo 2y ago
Game consoles are luxury toys. I'm not required to get a game console controlled by one of 2 companies to interact with my bank. (personally I'd totally support regulation opening up game consoles, but they are fairly insignificant compared to mobiles)

Cthulhu_ 2y ago

Well, AFAIK you're allowed to, but that doesn't mean Sony needs to make it possible for you. That said, if Sony falls under the DMA, they may need to allow sideloading apps or 3rd party stores.

grishka 2y ago

Consoles aren't generally seen by people as general-purpose computers, neither are they marketed as such by their manufacturers. They're seen by most people as appliances for playing video games.

karma_pharmer 2y ago
I don't see cellphones as general purpose computers either. For exactly the same reason why I don't see game consoles as general purpose computers: neither one will run arbitrary programs. They only run programs that are blessed by their manufacturer. Both are appliances. I'm really failing to see the distinction here. Big tech will simply declare that phones aren't "general purpose computers". There is no reasonable endgame here in which: (a) this is enforced against cellphones and (b) this is not enforced against game consoles and (c) the EU doesn't end up looking completely ridiculous and arbitrary. I'm betting that they cave on (b). It's the least painful option. The EU is going to have to enforce this against game consoles in order to be taken seriously.
- SSLy 2y ago
  Video Consoles are a semi-luxury product, not essentials to modern society like smartphones are.
- seec 2y ago
  I need to have an app on my phone to manage my health care payment. I don't need a console for anything in particular. It's hardly the same thing. Some services are not even available on a traditional computer FinTech started as mobile apps and they added website support later. It's stupid but that's how things are, the majority has chosen...

SSLy 2y ago

No, it doesn't. It was designed to work on more general purpose devices. And even then the EC is not investigating MS Sony or Nintendo as gatekeepers of their respective consoles.

lostmsu 2y ago
IMHO, it should. And the same should apply to smart TV manufacturers. Should apply to anything that lets one install software.

jimbobthrowawy 2y ago

I don't think they've sold enough units in Europe to automatically qualify. Also wouldn't be surprised if games consoles have a dedicated carveout for the foreseeable future. I'd expect the online stores on those consoles, and the resale of digital content, to be impacted well before running other OSs on consoles that didn't ship with that feature.

kalleboo 2y ago

Game consoles are luxury toys. I'm not required to get a game console controlled by one of 2 companies to interact with my bank. (personally I'd totally support regulation opening up game consoles, but they are fairly insignificant compared to mobiles)