When the XBox 360 first came out, the hard drive that came standard – at least on the higher up model – just seemed like it wouldn’t be enough. After all, with all the DLC that Microsoft was planning for the console, there was no way that 20GB would be enough. The upgrades kept coming along, Netflix was added, DLC got bigger and bigger … Well, you know the result.

So Microsoft decides a little while back to offer a 250GB drive for the 360, and decided to price it at $129. Even the most expensive 250GB drive on NewEgg is still $30 cheaper, and the pricey drive just feels like a slap in the face. Why not just allow people to plug in their own USB drives and do whatever they want with storage? Well, now you can, per Major Nelson.

We’ve just released a system update for the Xbox 360 over Xbox LIVE.

As previously announced, this system update contains support for USB Memory storage devices.

Sometime over the next few hours when you sign in to Xbox LIVE you’ll receive a prompt to accept this mandatory update. If you are signed into LIVE already, you may be signed out and asked to accept the update and you’ll be back online in a few moments.

So what was previously announced? Here’s the good stuff:

On April 6th, we will be releasing a system update over Xbox LIVE for your Xbox 360 that will allow USB flash drives to be used for storing profiles, game saves, demos and more.  I’ve been testing this feature out for a few weeks, and I have to say it’s really great. Once you take the system update on April 6th, you’ll be able to connect your USB flash drives to your console and head over to the memory section to configure your new storage device. Once you do that, the system will conduct a one time performance and integrity check to confirm the drive is working properly. You will then be able to configure how much storage to use on the device, up to 16 GB. The remaining space on the flash drive will be accessible by your PC or Mac. USB Hard drives may work, but like flash memory, you’ll only be able to use up to 16GB of space. Since performance on flash based USB storage is usually better, I highly recommend using flash based instead of spinning media like a hard drive…it’s just going to give you a MUCH better experience.

Nice. I will say that the 16GB limit sucks pretty hard, but hopefully they’ll start upping the limits soon. That way the 360 can become a true home media server, without any extra hacks.

The Swiss Flash USB Knife. The first thing that entered my mind when I saw this beauty over at Think Geek: MacGyver is back with a vengeance! With this gadget, MacGyver can take over the world of high tech computers!

You might think that I am overreacting but you have to understand this: growing up, our dad always had a Swiss Knife with him. We even called him MacGyver, seriously. Last month, he went on a vacation with my mom and unfortunately, the people at some provincial airport decided to confiscate his Swiss Knife. Bummer, right? I say, this knife/USB stick is the perfect replacement!

It takes the old concept of a Swiss Knife to a whole new level by putting together various tools that are necessary for survival in this modern world: USB flash drive, LED light, Swiss Army knife, and ballpoint pen. And this is not just for show, mind you. The superior quality that this brand has always been known for is still there.

For $39.99 to $69.99, this baby is well worth it, don’t you think? It comes in 1G, 2G, and 4G by the way; and only the 1G is in stock for now.

Parting note: which is a cooler gift – the watch or this one?

But you have to give this young boy the credit of having something original to say. I guess his excuse of “the dog ate it” isn’t believable now.

It happens to the best of us, I believe. We can’t really tell when we would honestly forget where our USB drives are and too late to know it’s doing the rinse cycle in the basement. Ouch! Or how about accidentally dropping it in the toilet? Now that’s a bummer there!

The Submarine USB drive is available in both 1GB and 2GB versions. It’s also available in four different colors, white, red, black and green. Unfortunately, the submarine drive is just a design that has come out of the hands of Moscow’s Man Works Design. It hasn’t been mass-produced yet and is not available for purchase now.

Technical specification:

- Capacity 1GB ? 2GB.
- Material — plastic.
- Colors: green, white, red, black.
- USB 2.0
- Speed of 8 MB/sec.

See that? And you thought I meant “thumb drive” in the usual sense of the word! Also known as the Yakuza finger, this removable storage device is literally in the form of a thumb. Can anyone guess why?

I was just wondering why they chose “Yakuza” when they could very well have named the flash drive from any other group with similar (supposed) activities. Maybe because it was conceptualized and made in Japan?

Anyhow, the Yakuza finger looks so lifelike that I do not know if I would enjoy looking at it on a daily basis. It would be so cool to surprise someone with it, though. You know what I mean?

As for the specs, the Yakuza finger can hold up to 1 GB worth of data. It can be used on USB 1.1 or 2.0. It measures in at 25 x 45 x 20 mm – small enough to put in a n ice little box and give as a surprise gift to your geeky friend who gets easily scared. It’s a bit expensive, though, at USD67 (about 6600 yen). Still, I am sure you’d have to pay more for a real finger from the black market – and that wouldn’t even function as a USB!

For other quirky USBs, you can look more up at the Geek Stuff 4 U web site.