Datel responds to Xbox 360 memory device lockout

If you own an “unauthorized” third-party device like a memory unit for your Xbox 360, it may not work for you thanks to Microsoft’s plant to block them in the not-too-distant future. In a post on the Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb’s blog, it was recently revealed that the next update (which will add support for twitter, Facebook and Last.fm) will lock-out unauthorized storage devices. Ain’t that a bitch? When they say unauthorized, what they really mean is unlicensed and unapproved by them. If you own an Arcade version of the 360 and don’t have a hard-drive or if you just like to back up your data on other versions of the console you may be forced to go out and by “officially endorsed” Microsoft memory devices.

Obviously companies like Datel, which has found success in selling its third-party Xbox 360 accessories at top retails like Target and Best Buy, are not pleased. A Datel spokesperson, speaking to CVG, said that locking out its devices would prevent consumers from having a freedom of choice and added that the company was “disappointed.” Here’s further comment from Datel, taken from that article and found over at GamePolitics:

“We are following this issue and awaiting the outcome like everyone else. Everyone is looking for ways to make their cash go further at the moment and we believe that Max Memory offers a good value, high capacity, alternative to the official Memory Unit.”

When this update goes live Microsoft had better be prepared for the deluge of Max Memory owners that will probably go ape shit crazy on them. When that happens we’ll let you know.