Does A Programmable Wireless Xbox 360 Controller Count As Cheating?

Datel's completely unauthorized TurboFire2 wireless Xbox 360 controller not only directly connects to the Xbox 360 without a dongle, you can connect it to your PC to apply "custom controller enhancements." Microsoft should sue! Oh wait.

Microsoft filed a lawsuit against British peripheral manufacturer Datel back in April of this year, claiming the company "illegally copied" technology from the official Xbox 360 controller. Since the TurboFire2 here is an unofficial product that syncs to the Xbox 360 wirelessly without using a dongle, it's easy to see why.

But that doesn't stop Datel from introducing new features to a controller that's already traversing shadowy territory.

Using a USB cable, players can connect the controller to any PC and use Datel's Customizer application to download custom controller profiles. With it players can, say, remap Halo: Reach's controls to mimic Call of Duty: Black Ops, which seems innocent enough.

They can also adjust the rate of the turbo fire, set up a special Sniper Mode, or limit the recoil they normally get while firing a weapon. Players can even set up macros for special moves. The video on the Datel website shows Super Street Fighter IV as an example.

It's no more cheating than tweaking your PC controls, but Xbox Live is normally a more controlled environment. If another player came at me with his service pistol firing like a machine gun, I would probably lose it.

The TurboFire2 is available at the Code Junkies website for $44.99, so not only is it more flexible, it's also a little cheaper than Microsoft's standard controller.

Pick one up at your own risk. With the recent PlayStation 3 firmware update blocking out unofficial third-party controllers, I don't see why Microsoft couldn't do the same.

Pioneer DEH-4200UB CD Receiver with OEL Display and USB iPod Control

Enjoy vibrant, exciting displays from the full-dot OEL display with 3-line text capability—scroll though your iPod with ease! Three Hi-Volt RCA preouts deliver clean, powerful signal to your power amplifiers. Unleash the power of your iPod with advanced control features—find songs fast with alphabetical hi-speed search or discover new music with Link Play.

Product Description
Pioneer's DEH-4200UB is an ideal way to upgrade your OEM system, offering playback of WMA/MP3/AAC files from disc or USB devices, optional direct iPod control, and plenty more. It also offers big-time opportunity on the upgrade front--easily add Bluetooth and HD/SAT Radio, or use the three pairs of preamp outputs to build a system with external speakers and amplification.

DEH-4200UB Features

Stop straining to see the screen
Enjoy vibrant, exciting displays with the Large Full-Dot OEL display that makes it easier to see what is playing, no matter what the light is like. Scroll through your iPod with greater ease with 3-Line list mode. Even enjoy features like 3D full motion screen savers.

Fed up with your Bluetooth headset?
Here's a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you'll never miss a call. Optional CD-BTB200 adapter required.

CD-R/RW Playback
Play back your favorite CDs and burnt CD-R/RW discs in the slot-loading CD player.

MP3/WMA/AAC Playback
Don't let your favorite music downloads languish on your computer hard drive. Burn them to a CD-R or CD-RW and play them right on the car stereo. Enjoy hours of your favorite tunes MP3, WMA, and AAC audio content.

You can also just throw some files on a USB thumb drive and insert it directly in the front panel USB input.

iPod Made Easy
It's easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the optional CD-IU50 iPod cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can't get enough of? Now you can hold the "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist, album, or genre. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.

Connect, Tag, and Download
Have you ever heard a great song on the radio, but couldn't remember what it was called or who sang it when you went to go look for it later? Now you don't have to worry about missing out on great music. iTunes Tagging gives you the power to "tag" all of your favorite songs without having to scramble for a piece of scrap paper in the car, then later preview or purchase music at iTunes Music Store.



A Better Way to Control Your Music
Sick of using buttons to search through your songs? Now you can scroll through your music with greater ease using the 7-way rotary commander.

Bring Your Music to Life with Advanced Sound Retriever
This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.

Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner
Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.

MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry
Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.

The DEH-4200UB is also well-equipped for those who want to expand their system, with three sets of 4V preamp outputs (front/rear/subwoofer) for system expansion with external amps/speakers, and a two-way crossover with separate high and low pass settings.

Get Plugged In
Use the built-in AUX input for connecting any digital portable player and other external auxiliary devices. For extra-convenient access, the input is on the front panel.

Dial In Your Sound
Tweak the sound to your liking with the on-board three-band graphic EQ. A Loudness feature ensures ample low-end even during quiet listening, and standard balance/fader controls let you adjust the stereo image to suit your vehicle and preferences.

Price: $200.00

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