Own an Illegal Xbox 360 Storage Device?

Microsoft, under the current Xbox LIVE update preview program, mentioned that all the unauthorized storage (memory) units would be banned in the upcoming update. Xbox LIVE team had rolled out Xbox 360 System Dashboard update in August and held back the social network features. The upcoming Xbox LIVE update promises Twitter, Facebook and Zune support integration.

Larry Hryb aka Major Nelson, director of programming, Xbox LIVE, stated on his blog that unauthorized storage units would stop working with Xbox 360. Nelson suggested that users should save their profile and saved games on an 'authorized Xbox 360 Storage device' before taking the update.

This warning directly points at the third party storage/memory units that are used with Xbox 360. A Microsoft spokespersonconfirmed that the company is targeting the memory units that are plugged in front of the console, not unauthorized hard drives.

Microsoft's official 512MB memory unit now costs $30 (Rs. 1,440 approx.), while the 2GB one from third party Datel costs $40 (Rs. 1,920 approx.). This major price difference between both products obviously highlights the hefty pricing from Microsoft.

To check whether your equipment is compatible with Xbox LIVE or not, refer to the instructions and suggestions on this page. If Microsoft is planning to bar third party storage units for Xbox 360, it better come up with better pricing schemes.

Users with unauthorized memory units won't be able to use it after system update and access to user profile as well as saved game will be barred.