According to unearthed talks form inside MS HQ, the Xbox 360 is set to benefit from a couple of tasty new features. The first item of news is that your 360 will soon have support to use USB sticks for storage.
This seemingly minor step means that you’ll be able to whack all your game data, saves and even DLC onto one a USB data stick (which are becoming increasingly cheap and readily available) instead of having to cart your Xbox hard drive around with you.
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The new system will allow USB sticks from 512MB to 16GB suck info from the Xbox. Capping this functionality at 16GB is a conscious decision by Microsoft to ensure that no one will be able to use enormous USB storage devices to copy entire games. The related document, as picked up by Joystiq, reads:
"USB storage devices may, however, have far greater memory capacity than MUs [Memory Units], and may therefore support previously infeasible operations-such as installation of a full disc-based title".
DLC Patent
The second piece of Xbox intelligence this morning is of a patent filed by Microsoft to allow a new system for accessing DLC. It’s not world-changing, but the new model will let players find, buy and download DLC while inside the related main title, eliminating the need to exit the game and enter the Xbox Live Marketplace. The patent reads:
“Upon detection of missing content or resources the ATDDC provides direct bid to purchase the content or resources, provides for automatic download, installation and configuration of the content while allowing the player to remain in contact with other players within a party.”
Two slight tweaks to the machine’s functionality, then, but definite improvements nonetheless.
Along with the Playstation Move and Project Natal coming later this year, it seems as though neither Sony or Microsoft are wanting to give up on the current breed of consoles just yet.
Link: Joystiq, Gaming.Hexus
