Xbox 360 gains USB flash drive support today

Robert Hallock 6 Apr, 2010 at 1:29pm ET Article published in Gaming

Microsoft has announced today that USB flash drive support has been enabled for the Xbox 360.

“Beginning today, April 6, USB Flash Drive support offers an easy and efficient low-cost option for Xbox 360 owners to experience all that is available on Xbox LIVE, including the best downloadable games, the latest demos, TV shows, movies, music and more,” Microsoft said in a press release. “Additional USB Flash Drive support makes it easier than ever to access your game saves, profile and Xbox LIVE content – now you can take it with you wherever you go.”

The new functionality is being enabled by an update being distributed today, which enables support for flash drives ranging from 1GB to 16GB. Though larger drives may be used, only 16GB will be available to the Xbox 360; users looking for storage beyond the 16GB limit, Microsoft says, are free to install a pair of flash drives for a maximum of 32GB.

Microsoft also announced today that it has partnered with flash memory leader SanDisk to provide official 8GB and 16GB Xbox 360 flash drives for $34.99 and $69.99, respectively.

Meanwhile, customers disinterested in getting hustled by the OEM racket should give the 16GB Patriot Xporter XT Boost a go, which will provide superlative performance for just $43.99 at the time of writing.

Comments

6 Apr 2010 ~ 2:44pm kryyst Umm well yeah. I guess if my remaining 30gigs ever fills up I have a place to offload my demos. The biggest advantage means in offloading demos and save games it leaves more room on the HD to install games onto which is actually a plus.

The biggest question will be can I store all my rock band dl'd songs onto USB? That would be a great asset.
6 Apr 2010 ~ 2:56pm Bandrik ABOUT. EFFING. TIME.

My thoughts:

1. Normally they were selling $50 512MB memory drives. I have one, only because it allows me to easily take my profile with me, even though I was sorely ripped off. If MS is no longer trying to sell these, it tells me one thing: the expected XBOX "slim" will likely omit the memory card slots.

2. I have a Patriot Xporter XT. Love it, and I second this as an excellent recommendation. Fast, durable, rubber exterior lets it bounce if dropped, and haven't lost the cap yet.

3. It sure will be nice to be able to have 16GB to hold all my game saves AND and my downloaded games as well. Couldn't do it all with just 512MB. Will make transporting much easier.

THANK YOU MICROSOFT.
6 Apr 2010 ~ 4:10pm Rob I have a Ptriot Xporter XT 8GB and it shows up as 7.0GB on my xbox which is big enough to install one game!
7 Apr 2010 ~ 3:33pm jpparker88 Now I'll finally be able to use my 2GB drive I got when I got the collectors edition of forza 3. rock on.