USB-Based Mass Storage Coming to Xbox 360 [Update, Confirmed]

[Camel]

 

A Spring update supposedly adds 32GB of extra storage via two 16GB USB devices.

 

 

Joystiq claims that the Xbox 360 will receive an update this Spring 2010 that will support USB-based mass storage devices. This is big news for gamers wanting to expand the current hard drive's capacity.

 

Although Joystiq doesn't quote sources, the site says that the information came from documentation authored by a senior software development engineer at Microsoft , and was verified by two separate sources. The site even provides screenshots.

 

In addition to providing extra storage, the update will enable owners the ability to save and load game data right off the USB device. Gamers will also have means to install games onto the USB device-- full disc-based titles, according to the source.

 

That said, the USB device will need to be at least 1GB in size, however the Xbox 360 OS will do a compatibility check before allowing access to the storage. Apparently the maximum is 16GB per USB storage device, providing a maximum of 32GB thanks to a two-device limit.

 

Joystiq said that once users plug in a storage device, the Xbox 360 will prompt them with two options: Configure Now or Customize. The "Configure Now" option allows the user to set the storage space of 512MB (for the system) plus up to 16GB--even if the device can handle 64GB of data, the Xbox 360 only allows for 16GB on that particular stick.

 

As for the "Customize" option, users will be able to preserve some pre-existing, non-console data on the device, such as movies and music.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement sometime within the next month.

 

Source

 

Sounds like good news for all of you people still using memory cards or are running short on hard drive space.

 

And the best part about it is that the USB devices don't need to be official Microsoft Xbox ones. Well, by the looks of it anyway.

 

 

UPDATE

 

 

 

Feeling that your Xbox 360 storage is a little too small? Grab a pair of 16GB USB flash drives and you're suddenly 32GB larger come April 6!

 

Earlier in the month we reported on pretty convincing evidence that showed the Xbox 360 to be supporting external storage in an upcoming update. Today, Microsoft revealed that the update will be hitting Xbox 360 owners on April 6.

 

"On April 6th, we will be releasing a system update over Xbox Live for your Xbox 360 that will allow USB flash drives to be used for storing profiles, game saves, demos and more," Xbox Live director Larry Hryb wrote in his blog. "You will then be able to configure how much storage to use on the device, up to 16 GB. The remaining space on the flash drive will be accessible by your PC or Mac. USB Hard drives may work, but like flash memory, you’ll only be able to use up to 16GB of space."

 

This news should come as a huge relief to Xbox 360 gamers already at the brink of their storage, especially for those without hard drives or are still using the old 20GB models.

 

Hryb does want to clarify a couple of points:

 

· You can have 2 devices connected to the console at a time, enabling up to 32GB of simultaneous storage.

 

· The system won’t just configure the device once it is connected to the console. You’ll need to head to the memory area in system settings, select your USB Device, and choose from Configure Now (Format and Configure the Full Device), or Customize (you can choose how much memory you want configured for Xbox360 from the free space on the device.)

 

Of course, nothing is complete without some new merchandise. Microsoft has teamed up with SanDisk to release an Xbox 360 branded USB flash drive in May that comes pre-configured out of the box and ready to go. Pricing for the special drives are to be announced.

 

Source

[EW]

Hmmm surely this will lead to alot more piracy and hacking.....

 

Just my thoughts. I can think of ways to mod MW2 from the hardrive, if i could do it from an external it would be alot easier.

[t.]

16Gb per external, max of 2 drives. Generosity in abundance M$.

[Camel]

It's better than nothing though, right?

[t.]

Hm, yes but a rather burnt offering. *Looks at the people cramming 300GB drives in their PS3's*

[iLLGT3]

Well, this is cheaper than buying a new HDD...

 

Now a dilemma, buy an Elite with a 120HDD... or buy the slim.. If it comes out.. OR, buy USB's.

[TimBud]

If the 'slim' comes with a 250gb or larger HDD, then I'll get that.

But an extra 32 isn't enough to justify and no doubt it'll be retricted to certain data types anyway. Reckon it'll only be for movies and music...

[T0M722]

And putting your gamertag on? That'd be good. Also, i saw on IGN about this being leaked.

[Penfold]

This seems like a good thing, I only have a 20gb hard drive I got when the xbox was first released and it's very nearly full. This should be cheaper than buying a new hard drive... assuming you can run games off it. :)

[t.]

Hmm games over USB 2.0... yea.. I didn't think of that.

[Camel]

 

 

Feeling that your Xbox 360 storage is a little too small? Grab a pair of 16GB USB flash drives and you're suddenly 32GB larger come April 6!

 

Earlier in the month we reported on pretty convincing evidence that showed the Xbox 360 to be supporting external storage in an upcoming update. Today, Microsoft revealed that the update will be hitting Xbox 360 owners on April 6.

 

"On April 6th, we will be releasing a system update over Xbox Live for your Xbox 360 that will allow USB flash drives to be used for storing profiles, game saves, demos and more," Xbox Live director Larry Hryb wrote in his blog. "You will then be able to configure how much storage to use on the device, up to 16 GB. The remaining space on the flash drive will be accessible by your PC or Mac. USB Hard drives may work, but like flash memory, you’ll only be able to use up to 16GB of space."

 

This news should come as a huge relief to Xbox 360 gamers already at the brink of their storage, especially for those without hard drives or are still using the old 20GB models.

 

Hryb does want to clarify a couple of points:

 

· You can have 2 devices connected to the console at a time, enabling up to 32GB of simultaneous storage.

 

· The system won’t just configure the device once it is connected to the console. You’ll need to head to the memory area in system settings, select your USB Device, and choose from Configure Now (Format and Configure the Full Device), or Customize (you can choose how much memory you want configured for Xbox360 from the free space on the device.)

 

Of course, nothing is complete without some new merchandise. Microsoft has teamed up with SanDisk to release an Xbox 360 branded USB flash drive in May that comes pre-configured out of the box and ready to go. Pricing for the special drives are to be announced.

 

Source

[t.]

I. Cannot. Wait.

 

Might buy a 250GB by then.

[T0M722]

What for?

[Camel]

Presumably so he can install all of his games etc. to it.

 

I made myself a 250GB drive for my Xbox and I only have about 40GB left. So the 120GB wouldn't of been enough.

[TimBud]

Yep.

I regularly run out of space on my 120g.

A 250 for £75 doesn't sound too bad, imo. :cheeky:

 

However if the rumours of a 360slim/thin/lite persist, I'll hang in a bit longer and get on of those. if it comes with a 250 or more. :)

[iLLGT3]

Just downloaded the update...

 

Nothing special but it does seem like my dashboard is faster for some reason. :confused:

[t.]

Illusion I'd wager. Mine is just as awful as always :)

[Beav]

This came up when I plugged my 60Gb HDD in via transfer kit! It won't recognise he HDD on its own so I fitted the 20GB to the top and plugged the 60GB in via trasnfer kit!

[EW]

did you get the hardrive off ebay? if soo you need to format it to work with xbox

 

Good luck getting linux working xD

[Beav]

did you get the hardrive off ebay? if soo you need to format it to work with xbox

 

Good luck getting linux working xD

 

 

It did previously work on the xbox but I used XPORT to try and copy the game save from my 20GB to pc which worked then I tryed to get it to go to my 60GB HDD