Wireless Rock Band guitar crashes through FCC's gates
by Ross Miller 
{ Sep 24th 2007 at 7:40PM }
Somewhat perplexing is the picture of a USB dongle (pictured after the break). Because of the Bluetooth technology, the guitar shouldn't need an intermediary device to connect to the PlayStation 3; however, the user manual included with the FCC exhibit clearly show the dongle as part of the setup process. Perhaps it'll become clearer closer to Rock Band's holiday launch.
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lucas @ Sep 26th 2007 2:55PM
Where's the dongle?
Kris @ Sep 24th 2007 7:50PM
Perhaps such a USB dongle is used to charge the controller, as well as initial setup purposes, much like the Sixaxis.
OrganicShadow @ Sep 24th 2007 7:51PM
Well hmm. I remember commenting on here a billion times that someone needs to verify that the PS3 guitars are in fact Bluetooth and WON'T require a dongle, but NOOOOO.... nobody listens to me.
Neither the 360 or PS3 versions list any dongles being included in the packages on the actual red octane site. That should tell you something right there.
That and the fact that other than a few keyboards and bt headsets, there are no PS3 peripherals that connect via the PS3's Bluetooth receiver.
Kris @ Sep 24th 2007 7:52PM
Don't the Sixaxis controllers connect through bluetooth and subsequently charge through a usb connection? Everybody forgets that wireless means batteries ;)
chaod @ Sep 24th 2007 7:56PM
are you all blind!? that thing is clearly not a charging cable
glassd @ Sep 24th 2007 7:59PM
to me, that looks like a dongle to use guitar hero ps2 guitars for rock band. It's the right size for a ps2 to use adapter.
chaod @ Sep 24th 2007 8:03PM
@5 you might be on to something there
dje7878 @ Sep 24th 2007 8:19PM
dongle is most likely used to sync with the ps3. i don't think the ps3 has a BT discovery mode for this device otherwise.
Consolcwby @ Sep 24th 2007 8:51PM
The dongle appears to be the same kind of thing the PS2 had - just take a look at the manual from the linked site - under manual. It shows how to set up the guitar to play using a simple diagram. =/ I guess some people just like to guess instead of dig for info...
adorna @ Sep 25th 2007 6:09AM
well, wasn't Rockband announced for PS2 too? maybe thats what the adapter is for? makes more sense than developing a different set of hardware I guess..
Oduen @ Sep 25th 2007 6:22AM
Could that be the battery? Perhaps you remove it to charge so you don't have to leave the entire guitar sitting right next to the ps3.
Shawn @ Sep 25th 2007 10:59AM
if i had to take a guess that's probably the wireless adapter for the xbox 360 version.
Popfrogs @ Sep 25th 2007 11:33AM
@11: The X360 doesn't have USB, it's Microsoft proprietary nonsense, a page from Nintendo's book. :)
Frank @ Sep 25th 2007 11:56AM
Uhh the 360 definitely does have USB
erock @ Sep 26th 2007 11:48AM
People have played Rock band correct? It was previewed back at E3... Joystiq has posted youtube videos of people playing rock band. Have all these versions been on the 360?
The point is... why are we speculating someone should have a f'ing answer... every month someone has to dust off the "360 wired vs PS3 wireless" article.
Slow news day?