Xbox 360 gaining USB storage support in 2010 update

hugh · 2010-03-19, 08:34 AM

Documentation obtained by Joystiq – and subsequently confirmed with two separate sources – reveals that "USB Mass Storage Device Support on Xbox 360" will soon be a reality. The document, authored by a senior software development engineer at Microsoft, states that due to "increased market penetration of high-capacity, high throughput USB mass storage devices, a 2010 Xbox 360 system update" will allow consumers to save and load game data from USB devices. The update is purportedly coming in Spring 2010.

Quote:

Once the update occurs, Xbox 360 owners will be able to download Xbox Live Arcade games, Xbox Live Indie games, Games on Demand, DLC and Title Updates to the storage device.

Dioneo · 2010-03-19, 09:53 AM

It also says that you could copy an entire disc based game to the drive as well, like you can do now with the 20/60/120 GB HDD. However, no matter the size of the external USB drive, the XBox will only use 16GB of it for storage. And it will only recognize two USB storage devices at a time.

TorontoColin · 2010-03-19, 12:49 PM

They're more like oversized memory cards then, although you can keep subbing them in and out. I'm sure I could find a use for this, even though I have several official MS hard drives and memory cards.

Note that this is still just an unannounced proposed feature, there is no guarantee they'll implement it.

TorontoColin · 2010-03-26, 12:46 PM

Officially coming April 6

jean luc picard · 2010-03-26, 01:09 PM

yay now i can plug my 2gb chip (that they banned in the fall) back in.

i guess its still cheaper to buy a 20gig m$ hd then a 16gb flash drive

BillMinRegina · 2010-03-26, 01:35 PM

There is a prototype new motherboard code named 'Valhalla' which doesn't have the proprietary memory card ports. USB flash storage will become the future of small size storage on the 360

timmaywpg · 2010-03-26, 01:44 PM

dell had 16gb usb drives on for under 30 bucks during their last days of deals, similar to the cost of buying a used 20giger on fleabay

dalmond · 2010-04-06, 10:58 PM

Just got the update and it mentions USB storage as a new feature but haven't tried it yet.

bigscreenbob · 2010-04-07, 01:13 AM

Tried my 4 gig cruzer sandisk drive and it says it will work but that "it doesn't meet xbox standards and may not perform properly" or something to that effect.
I wonder if it will say that about all usb drives except for the new Xbox branded ones so people will think they have to purchase the xbox drives?
Should be interesting to see if other users get the same message.

jean luc picard · 2010-04-07, 02:28 AM

nope. my cheapie Lexar 4GB drive (bought last august) worked today like a charm. i got the "you're good to go" (sic) message. i downloaded a game off live, and it worked perfectly. i'm a happy 360 owner once again.

Drainc · 2010-04-07, 11:52 AM

My 8GB Sandisk USB stick worked fine and I was told it meets the performance requirements for the 360.

2010-03-19, 09:53 AM	#2
Dioneo Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: GTA IV Posts: 1,300	It also says that you could copy an entire disc based game to the drive as well, like you can do now with the 20/60/120 GB HDD. However, no matter the size of the external USB drive, the XBox will only use 16GB of it for storage. And it will only recognize two USB storage devices at a time. __________________ The HD Optical format war is over! All hail Blu-Ray! Long live the console war! Buy 'em all!

2010-03-26, 01:35 PM	#6
BillMinRegina Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Regina, Sask Posts: 75	There is a prototype new motherboard code named 'Valhalla' which doesn't have the proprietary memory card ports. USB flash storage will become the future of small size storage on the 360 __________________ Bill McMinn

2010-03-26, 01:44 PM	#7
timmaywpg Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 150	dell had 16gb usb drives on for under 30 bucks during their last days of deals, similar to the cost of buying a used 20giger on fleabay __________________ Toshiba 50HMX96 - Denon 1910 - Motorola VIP 1216 - Harmony 720 - Optoma HD200x -Pro-Ject Xpression III

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2010-03-19, 12:49 PM	#3
TorontoColin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Rogers Cable, Wind Mobile Posts: 640	They're more like oversized memory cards then, although you can keep subbing them in and out. I'm sure I could find a use for this, even though I have several official MS hard drives and memory cards. Note that this is still just an unannounced proposed feature, there is no guarantee they'll implement it.

2010-03-26, 12:46 PM	#4
TorontoColin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Rogers Cable, Wind Mobile Posts: 640	Officially coming April 6

2010-03-26, 01:09 PM	#5
jean luc picard Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: halifax eastlink Posts: 389	yay now i can plug my 2gb chip (that they banned in the fall) back in. i guess its still cheaper to buy a 20gig m$ hd then a 16gb flash drive

2010-04-06, 10:58 PM	#8
dalmond Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 90	Just got the update and it mentions USB storage as a new feature but haven't tried it yet.

2010-04-07, 01:13 AM	#9
bigscreenbob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Posts: 487	Tried my 4 gig cruzer sandisk drive and it says it will work but that "it doesn't meet xbox standards and may not perform properly" or something to that effect. I wonder if it will say that about all usb drives except for the new Xbox branded ones so people will think they have to purchase the xbox drives? Should be interesting to see if other users get the same message.

2010-04-07, 02:28 AM	#10
jean luc picard Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: halifax eastlink Posts: 389	nope. my cheapie Lexar 4GB drive (bought last august) worked today like a charm. i got the "you're good to go" (sic) message. i downloaded a game off live, and it worked perfectly. i'm a happy 360 owner once again.

2010-04-07, 11:52 AM	#11
Drainc Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 473	My 8GB Sandisk USB stick worked fine and I was told it meets the performance requirements for the 360.