It's just been announced on the Team Xecuter forums that a new tutorial for the Blaster360 has finally been uploaded. This tutorial focuses on the Hitachi 078fk firmware update. Team Xecuter also announced that the tutorial is still usable by other Xecuter item users, specifically those who don't have a Blaster 360 and are simply using the Xecuter Connectivity kit.

Team Xecuter's Blaster360 allows Xbox 360 owners to flash their drives with minimal physical tinkering with the Xbox 360 console. The Blaster360 uses a Digital SATA Exchange Circuit, letting users update the Xbox 360's DVD ROM with the latest available firmware. It can also be used to make backups of games to the PC.

To check out the tutorial, click on the via link below. You can also check it out under the Tutorials section of the official Blaster360 website.

Over at Xbox-Scene, there's a new tutorial up for installing Team Xecuter's Blaster 360 modification to your XBox 360 unit.

The tutorial, written by XanTium, includes a healthy serving of pictures and gives you a step-by-step procedure into the inner workings of your Xbox 360, telling you exactly what to do to get your Blaster 360 up and running on your unit.

Some notes to remember though. XanTium says you won't need to solder a thing, so it's pretty easy to install. All you'll apparently need are the tools to open your 360 casing so you can hook everything up to your motherboard, and you should be good to go. In any case, enjoy the tutorial, and let us know how your installation went.

Great news from Team Xecuter">Blaster 360, PS3 Hyperdrive and Paradox loader">Team Xecuter! They just announced that the final version of Blaster 360 is out of beta testing and ready for manufacturing.

For those who haven't heard, Blaster 360 is an add-on to your Xbox 360 that lets you flash the firmware without the need to open your console up. In other words, newcomers to hacks can use this just as easily as pros, once they know the basics of flashing.

It's been a few weeks since they made the finished product, and all that time has been spent beta testing the thing. They've fixed the kinks inside and out, to the point that this new version has zero need for users to cut the case of their console at all!

According to the Xecuter crew, they're currently setting the price to be around US$ 70 because of the development on this premium item. With all the testing they did, it seems warranted. In any case, expect it to be in resellers' hands within the next two weeks, and check our site for updates to their distribution. If you want to know what else they managed to improve during the test process, we've got their forum post linked at the bottom for you. Enjoy!

Buy: [Blaster 360]

Team Xecuter's really gotten everyone intrigued. As the end of the year draws ever closer, mod fans are probably wondering what the status of that nifty new device called the Blaster 360 is. The building process seems to be finished already, so all it needs is an official release date.

Now, while the fellows of Team Xecuter haven't given a final release date, they have opted to answer many of the questions people have about it. You might be surprised at some of the little details in this latest installment of their FAQ.

For those who still don't know what this is or are new to modding, the Blaster 360 is a switching tool, allowing you to flash update your 360's firmware without the need to tinker with the case after installation. It doesn't actually do the flashing for you (You'll still need the requisite SATA or X360 USB for that) but it does make the process a lot cleaner.

For specific concerns, they've also added some clarifications. For one thing, the Blaster 360 has an MS28 on/off switch for flashing the Samsung MS278 drives. Better still are some incoming developments for Hitachi 078 models. While they do mention that their new device can't flash update Hitachi 078 types, they already have a prototype modchip in development that you could buy separately once it's good to go.

Here's the best part: you can dump game data to your PCs with this thing! If that isn't a sweet deal, then we don't know what is.

Keep checking QJ for more updates, as the team will also post detailed instructions for the Blaster 360 very soon.

Buy: [Blaster 360]

Team Xecuter gave word that they have completed their newest addition to their products, Blaster 360. This is a great development for the team as the last time we reported about this was way back in September. Anyhow, this product would definitely make the day of the Xbox 360 modding community as the Blaster 360 will allow you to flash your drives with little to no physical tinkering of your green, mean gaming machine. Translation for the uninitiated - once you've installed it, you won't have to open the case of your Xbox 360 again for you to update firmware.

Team Xecuter also claims that it works with all drives and only takes five minutes of your time to install. Other features included Xbox Mode and PC mode switch, Modeb enabled for Hitachi, Molex Power connector, LED Glow feature, and LED Glow Off/ Led Perm ON/ LED Off switch.

As we have said, the good news is that the Blaster 360 is finally finished. The team would be finalizing packaging and distribution and they also promised to hook us up with info (price and availability) as soon as they know the delivery date and RRP. For now, here are some pics of their finish product.

Buy: [Blaster 360]

Team Xecuter's Blaster 360 is coming along quite nicely. As we mentioned earlier, this would potentially allow you to flash your drives with little to no physical tinkering of the Xbox 360 to get it to work. For people who don't know which side of a nail is the pointy end (myself inluded), this device would be a godsend.

In a new post on their forums, the team has answered some of the most common questions about the Blaster 360 that have popped up on their forums, as well as offering a couple of new shots of the device itself. While waiting, check this to see if you were planning on asking one of these questions, number nine most especially, and take a look at the pics... ah, green glowing light. So peaceful.

1. Once fitted the device allows you to switch your DVD to flashing mode and to be flashed externally without ever having to open up your Xbox360 cases again.
2. It has a separate molex power connector. This is for electrical safety and security. It resolves any short or grounding issues and keeps the Xbox360 PSU and any external flashing procedure separate.
3. It has a switch to switch between normal 360 read operation and PC flashing operation.
4. Modeb is built in for hitachi drives.
5. You can connect direct to SATA or use the X360USB
6. There is no cutting of any of the outer case whatsoever - it is a clean install with no visible damage.
7. We have included a switch to disable the LED glow or to disable the LED alltogether (for those that don't like LED's)
8. We have optimized the design so it fits flush to the case and so you can also remove the hard drive with ease.
9. There is no release date or price as of yet, we will keep the price as low as possible. When we know, you will know. Asking that question over and over again on the forums is redundant.

Buy: [Blaster 360]

There's great news coming your way from the folks that made the Xbox Homebrew Mod and the X360 USB kit! Team Xecuter has been working on a way to flash your drives without ever opening your 360 again, and they've finally given it a name and a release date! The Blaster 360 is a stylish yet functional addition to your homebrew arsenal, allowing you to flash the firmware without opening the console.

As Team Xecuter mentions,

No soldering, no cutting of the case - just plug 'n' go. You only ever have to open up your case once. We don't need to tell you how many different firmwares have been released in the last few months and who knows how many more? No longer will you have to have your Xbox in pieces all the time, no longer will you have to take the Xbox apart every time you need to update new features and functions or essential bug fixes.

The Blaster 360 also works with your 360 USB, so if you've bought some of their previous goodies, they won't become obsolete. In any case, here are the list of features. Expect resellers to have it out around the end of October, and we'll keep you updated on the latest happenings with this new product of theirs as we get them.

Features:

• Once installed, never open up the case again to update firmware.
• No soldering, no cutting, no problem!
• 5 minute install.
• Xbox Mode & PC Mode Switch.
• Modeb Enabled for Hitachi.
• Molex Power connector (no lugging around the 360 PSU).
• Superior quality design.
• Ergonomically matched to the 360 case.
• LED Glow feature.
• LED Glow Off / Led Perm On / LED Off switch.

Buy: [Blaster 360]