Datel -- Engadget

datel posts

Datel gets first stab at third party memory card for Xbox 360, supports microSD expansion

by Paul Miller, posted May 16th 2009 at 2:13PM

After ages of monopolizing most of its add-on market for the 360, it looks like Microsoft is letting up a bit. Datel just came out with two new MAX Memory cards that are compatible with the console, in 2GB and 4GB capacities. That's all well and boring, but the potential excitement here is that cards can also be augmented by a microSD slot, with support for up to 16GB cards, for some trippy card-within-a-card hijinks, and what might be one of the best portals for hackers yet. Or perhaps not, since it seems likely that Microsoft wouldn't open up what it knew to be a major security hole, and given the numerous other interfaces with the console, the 360 is still pretty well on lockdown for the average user, after almost four years on the market. At least this should provide a slightly more flexible hard drive alternative for folks who don't want to shell out for Microsoft's overpriced humps. The Datel cards start at $40.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Datel kicks the retro up a notch with Famicom Wii controller

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 26th 2009 at 1:57AM

If dropping 80 bones on a Wii Super Famicom Classic controller sounds a wee bit insane, how's about a Jackson for a Famicom Wii controller? Datel's Old Skool Retro Controller (seriously, how great is that name?) works with any game that supports the Wii Classic Controller, and the unique "rapid fire" mode should really keep things interesting when firing up the Virtual Console. Can't really go wrong at $19.99, right? Right.

[Via OhGizmo]

PSP 3000 finally, inevitably hacked by Datel's Lite Blue Tool

by Samuel Axon, posted Nov 18th 2008 at 11:08PM

Hacking the PSP has long been a popular pastime, but the 3000 model has proven a tough nut to crack. Don't pop open the champagne just yet, though, Sony -- Datel has revealed a special battery peripheral called the Lite Blue Tool that boots the handheld console into service mode, where downgrades to earlier, cracked firmwares are possible. Of course, most older PSPs could be downgraded without any additional hardware and you only needed a battery like Pandora if you failed the idiot test and bricked your system, but be patient, ~~pirates~~ totally legit homebrew types -- Rome wasn't burnt in a day. Lite Blue is priced at an affordable $29.99, not bad for an interim solution if homebrew and "backups" are your thing.

Datel Drive Doctor for Wii does statistics and code injection, requires soldering

by Conrad Quilty-Harper, posted May 19th 2007 at 12:37PM

Surely the whole point of purchasing a commercial product to run a few homebrew games or activate a few cheat codes is that there's no soldering required: that's not the case with the Datel Drive Doctor for Wii. The $34.95 Drive Doctor is designed to allow Wii owners to connect their console to their PC with a USB 2.0 cable, enabling you to review the internal statistics of the Wii, eventually run homebrew games, and even inject code "into the data stream ... it's fun!" Unfortunately, the press release mentions that it'll require a little soldering of wires in order to get the little box that clips on the back into a working state. Most people won't find that fun, but then again most people wouldn't find the idea of accidentally injecting code that kills their Wii fun either. We're left thinking that this one's strictly for the intermediate or pro hacker, so stay away if your coding and soldering isn't up to scratch. Us mere mortals will wait for something a little more dumb-consumer friendly, thank you very much.

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

Datel's Bluetooth headset unhooks your 360

by Ryan Block, posted Jun 26th 2006 at 10:36PM

Ok, so it requires a dongle, big deal? We just think it's funny that Datel, the hacky console accessory manufacturer extraordinaire has an Xbox 360 Bluetooth headset long before Microsoft's own wireless headset is due to hit shelves. Assuming, of course, that Datel fulfills their June 30th pre-order launch date; apparently the first release listed for this thing was March 17th, and Datel doesn't even officially acknowledge the product on their site. And on top of all that, then you're gonna have to deal with the £59.99 ($110 US) price, and the fact that it's on Amazon UK, bucko. But we figure if you're willing to pay $110 for a wireless headset, none of this business should be all that daunting for you in the first place, right?

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Datel XSATA connects Xbox 360 to PC via USB

by Marc Perton, posted Apr 11th 2006 at 5:04PM

That 12GB partition on your Xbox 360 not doing it for you? Datel -- the company that's carving out something of a niche with console storage peripherals -- has what looks like a unique solution. The XSATA connects to your 360 and your PC, letting you back up your console data to the PC, freeing up space on the 360. Once your 360's content is on your PC, you can also email unlocked files. Oh, and it has a blue glowing LED base, just 'cause. Expect to pay about $40, which is a lot less than you'd pay for an external drive for your 360 (though if you must have one, Datel would be happy to oblige).

[Via Gadget Review]