New TB Clone On The Loose

True Blue has been taking care of business running back and forth between firmware updates and game patch releases. There's something new on the table that they're addressing and it's not regarding the usual.

The True Blue team has acknowledged that a new clone has surfaced. Oddly enough, it isn't about PS3Break's PB2 dongle. The clone is housed in a similar case to that of True Blue so it will require taking apart to distinguish between the two. The tell tale signs are there, cheap this, cheap that, different this, noticeable that. Here's a list of the differences:

• Actel used is A3P125 instead of larger A3P250 used on True Blue.
• Clone uses a cheap MCU and cheap dip type crystal in addition to cheaper Actel instead of full Actel integration in the original True Blue design
• Clone has a tact switch which the original does not require, and switch can only be accessed by pulling PCB out of the case
• Actel logic on clone is based on partial guess work of the original and will not function correctly in future updates
• PCB circuit design is highly congested, with numerous visual differences evident, such as programming pads for the MCU and addiional resistors/caps

If all of that tech speak isn't making sense to you, maybe some pictures will:

True Blue has mentioned that a new firmware is in the works, that will allow users to verify that their dongle is legit. Looks like True Blue will be tackling clones one step at a time. Hopefully this new verification feature will replace the older HDD wiping solution.

Source: True Blue

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