Xbox One Only Accepts Specific Headsets, Microsoft Explains Why

[Josh123914]

The PS4 comes with an ear bud with a dangling microphone. Not exactly what I'd call a "headset". When I think of headset, I think of something that more akin to the MS thing. Though I still see no valid reason not to include it with the machine. Of course Sony didn't include a mic with the original PS3 and no one cared at all.

that just looks ugly e-e edit:how the hell would i use that seriously?why isn't anyone making a hit piece on this piece of crap?

You put it in your ear and speak? Its not even that hard to use, I use one of those while walking and that thing lasted me a year before I dropped it and it smashed apart. The main reason nobody is bitching however, is because its a standard headset port that many of us with headsets dedicated to gaming and have spent a lot of money on such headsets, can actually use them.

That, and it comes bundled with the PS4 for free.
As a poster earlier stated, you get what you pay for.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

"The Wireless Controller has been redesigned to allow for higher data transfer speed between the controller and the console"

That whole "higher data transfer" gimmick is the exact same line people working at Currys gave me when I wanted a HDMI cable. Of course, that would mean paying nearly £100.

 

[Slash2x]

............ Really Micro$oft? WHYYY!??!? Do you HATE people even THINKING about buying your system? I never planned to because I knew that you were assholes who would screw people over at the drop of a hat. But do you HAVE to keep showing people how much you hate your consumer base? Seriously you could have just not said a fucking thing and no one would have noticed till the parents/people who do not know any better bought your crap and had to go buy a headset.

I am willing to bet that if a Micro$oft executive sharts themselves they do not run to the bathroom and try to clean up. They just scream in the middle of the room. "I JUST SHIT MYSELF!!!" Then stands there while other people leave the room instead.

 

[Legion]

I don't see anything wrong with only allowing official headsets if they want to. What I object to is that one doesn't come with the console as standard. It seems they have gone backwards while Sony has learnt from their mistake with the current generation.

 

[Upbeat Zombie]

What I get out of that is "Are higher data transfer rates mean we need to have new audio inputs for reasons..."
My guess is it's just to snuff out third party peripherals.

 

[faefrost]

You have to wonder, has anyone over at MS's XBox Marketing and Design group ever actually listened to XBL? Heck at this point I'm hoping that the creepy Kinect is secretly recording everyone and broadcasting it all to some in console TV channel. I want to be able to watch as thousands of parents suddenly hear exactly what it is their young lying spawn have been associating with for years, as it comes blaring out of the TV speakers. The entertainment value will be priceless.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

I would (If I was getting an Xbox One, which I'm not) be okay with only being able to use a very specific headset if it came with one. But it's not even coming with one?!

The PS4 comes with an ear bud with a dangling microphone. Not exactly what I'd call a "headset". When I think of headset, I think of something that more akin to the MS thing. Though I still see no valid reason not to include it with the machine. Of course Sony didn't include a mic with the original PS3 and no one cared at all.

Meh, that doesn't look that bad, though since I sit close to the tv when I play so I'm kind of worried about the sounds from the game coming through the mic.

 

[Gray Firion]

Well, such a pity. It seems I can't really call it the Xbox 1-80 anymore. What with the Kinect still being the same spytoy from hell, the games still requiring always online if they use the cloud, the dashboard being designed for adds (and making them stealthy so we click on them by accident, the most infuriating kind of adds) and now this.

Yeah, still same old Xbone. Shame, I quite liked picking fun at the X180 name.

Also, what they said about the custom jack being necessary? Absolute lie. That little piece of hardware has gone unchanged in every single PC/Console/Stereo/TV/Cellphone/MP3/Insert-your-entertainment-device-here for who knows how long. Older televisions had thicker versions of the 3.5 mm jack, but this is the standard now and has been for a very long time. Sound quality and data trasmission depends on the Program used, not the jack.

Perfect example of idiocy brought about by greed. Absolutely disgusting.

 

[Gorrath]

I don't see anything wrong with only allowing official headsets if they want to. What I object to is that one doesn't come with the console as standard. It seems they have gone backwards while Sony has learnt from their mistake with the current generation.

The issue with not using an accepted standard is that many, many gamers who like to use headsets while gaming have already purchased very good, very expensive headsets to use. I myself have a very nice headset that I use specifically for gaming. Having them include a pice of crap headset with their proprietary standard would still be a big kick in the balls because it still makes my expensive headset worthless.

Seriously, there is no reason whatsoever to not use the industry standard in this case, it's simply a matter of money to them. Even the king of proprietary connectors (Apple) knows better than to use a non-standard headphone jack because they understand that people have very different tastes in size, shape and feature set for headphones. I can't stand wearing most headphones I've ever tried; they make my ears hurt.

 

[SSJBlastoise]

You all remember how people watching the Xbone reveal from their 360's had their consoles shut off because their kinects picked up the hosts saying "Xbox, off"?

Well now every person on Xbox Live will have that kind of power. Oh boy.

Do you have a source for that first part? Because you can't just say "Xbox off" and it turns it off. There are a number of steps to do it so the chances of accidentally doing it are pretty much impossible.

Then that logic about saying it over Xbox Live? Wouldn't be smart if it turns off every Xbox including yours.

 

[faefrost]

Well, such a pity. It seems I can't really call it the Xbox 1-80 anymore. What with the Kinect still being the same spytoy from hell, the games still requiring always online if they use the cloud, the dashboard being designed for adds (and making them stealthy so we click on them by accident, the most infuriating kind of adds) and now this.

Yeah, still same old Xbone. Shame, I quite liked picking fun at the X180 name.

Also, what they said about the custom jack being necessary? Absolute lie. That little piece of hardware has gone unchanged in every single PC/Console/Stereo/TV/Cellphone/MP3/Insert-your-entertainment-device-here for who knows how long. Older televisions had thicker versions of the 3.5 mm jack, but this is the standard now and has been for a very long time. Sound quality and data trasmission depends on the Program used, not the jack.

Perfect example of idiocy brought about by greed. Absolutely disgusting.

Exactly! The high speed data transfer is pure marketing BS. Microphones and speakers are ANALOG devices. They require a pair of wires and bandwidth really does not matter. The bandwidth is between the controller and the console. The special connector plug has noting to do with it.

 

[Doclector]

Okay...I could understand only accepting specific headsets, the only headsets I've ever had that lasted a decent amount of time were the official ones, makes sense to protect customers from such shoddy things.

But not having one out the box? What the fuck is wrong with you? That's not only greedy, but it's gonna hamper attempts to create an active community. I've been in parties with people using kinect as a mic, trust me, it sucks. They can barely hear you, while you can hear everything coming out of their tv and their house. Fuck that shit.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

I have a damned good Turtle Beach headset. Like top of the line hundreds of dollars headset! I was never going to get the xbox 180, but if I was, the news I can't use my headset would be enough to get me to not buy. Its like Microsoft did a focus group on bad choices and somewhere an intern filed the results under TO DO instead of NEVER EVER DO. Honestly, if they came out and said they were scrapping the entire Xbone project and they'll get back to us in a few years, I'd applaud. I'd applaud SO god damn hard!

 

[Irridium]

You all remember how people watching the Xbone reveal from their 360's had their consoles shut off because their kinects picked up the hosts saying "Xbox, off"?

Well now every person on Xbox Live will have that kind of power. Oh boy.

Do you have a source for that first part? Because you can't just say "Xbox off" and it turns it off. There are a number of steps to do it so the chances of accidentally doing it are pretty much impossible.

Then that logic about saying it over Xbox Live? Wouldn't be smart if it turns off every Xbox including yours.

http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4353010/kinect-trouble-xbox-one-reveal

Now, hopefully MS fixes this particular issue for the Xbox One. Hopefully. Personally I won't hold my breath.

 

[tardcore]

seriously its really hard not to think that this whole xbone thing has been a massive misdirection, to rival that of "new" coke. So that when they release the for real console info everyone will worship at their altar. I mean thats gotta be whats going on right? I mean otherwise they're practically a self parody at this point.

Yes it really does seem like this clattering pile of garbage was designed by someone from "Bizarro World". Maybe MS will reveal that the xbone is just a giant April fools mind fuck.

 

[Lo Flying Frying Pan]

I am rubbing my temples with a beleaguered expression ... when will this train-wreck make its last throw and heave into silence? Microsoft ... why?

 

[SSJBlastoise]

http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4353010/kinect-trouble-xbox-one-reveal

Now, hopefully MS fixes this particular issue for the Xbox One. Hopefully. Personally I won't hold my breath.

So they weren't shut off like you claimed, they just exited the stream. That is a problem but nowhere near as bad as you claimed.

I also doubt any xbox commands would come up while playing a game because a) most games dont break the 4th wall/mention the word xbox and b) if someone says it over Live they will ruin their game as well.