Xbox One Only Accepts Specific Headsets, Microsoft Explains Why

[furai47]

It seems they're aiming for the X1 to be more like a status symbol, like Apple. Wait, AWWWW HEEEEELL NO!

 

[Strazdas]

"What is this you already got a headset? how dare you buy your own headset that is confortable and not pay US for it, you must buy our shitty headset that norally is sold for 10 $, but instead we will make you pay 100$ or else your consoles will not work" herp derp
we saw this with 360, and that alone was reason enough for me to raise hell for anyone who owned one. this sort of shit should not be legal to begin with. basically they are doing a force monopoly.

And its controller's expansion port prevents it from taking standard USB headsets through the console's built-in USB ports because...?

software. Your headphone does not respond to software signals = not plugged in. there are more ways to block stuff other than unput method.

Next they'll try release a Windows OS that only allows Microsoft branded games and tries to kill the indie scene.

Its called Windows 8. While it is not active now, technically windows 8 is fully capable of locking you out of ANY program they dont like with a simple update. basically the windows will tell you that the program is not supported.

You know how people react badly to a TV show that doesn't respect it's audience's intelligence?

By making it extremely popular reality TV show that millions watch? (Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Jersey Shore.... i cant really come up with more titles i dont watch them), you get the point)

Yes, everyone who can't afford a new headset should chat using the Kinect. Capital idea.
Even if the Kinect microphone is good enough, does Microsoft expect to only sell consoles to social recluses living in basements?
Ever heard of such a thing as _other people in the room_? Ambient sounds? Things you possibly don't want to transmit or receive while playing online?
Keep digging, Microsoft, I'm sure you'll hit China sooner or later.

if microsoft conducts themselves in rela life the same way they do in Xbox information reveals then it is quite safe to say they do not know what other people in the room will do as they never had any - they dont ahve friends to invite over.

they might as well be forcing you to buy a new headset.GIVEN that pos headset will likely break in a month .

do you use a headset currently?
yes? then use the same headset since its a standart plug (provided you dont ahve 360 headset which as much a "unique plug" as the Xbone).
No? then you clearly dont need one to game to begin with.

Capcha: one fell swoop.
yeah, i guess you cant make a dead man fall....

 

[Dimitriov]

HAHAHAHAHA!

Seriously, this just got funny again. I have never seen a corporation self-immolate like this before.

 

[Evonisia]

I wonder whether Microsoft even realises that it's decisions are bad or not?

The DRM and online connection change followed and preceded by things like this are certainly proof of that.

 

[cikame]

That's awesome, it's great that the controller can send more data to the console for better voice quality, my PC suffers from this problem because my headset only uses a 3.5mm jack... oh wait, the quality is superb on the PC because it's dictated by the microphone itself and the codec used by the program.

What a f****** joke, skimming away at wallets wherever possible.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Am I the only one who noticed that they said that you could just use the Built in microphone on the Kinect? Remember? The one that'd try to spy on us? We all forget that? Not defending them, just there IS a mic in that for use online, not just for the NSA.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

Keep digging guys, you're not out of the race yet.

I'm pretty sure there's a USB port on the console. Wouldn't have taken much effort to allow headsets to work. What a load of bull.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Just for comparison, the PS4 will include a basic headset in the box.

Awesome! This is the first I'm hearing about this.

Anyway, this gen seems like the polar opposite of last gen in that it's Sony presenting the friendly, powerful, fun-for-all, gamers-game-console. Microsoft on the other hand are the ones saying "THE FUTURE BEGINS WHEN WE SAY SO" etc etc. [sub][sub]all while Nintendo is mostly ignored but doing it's own thing to general praise from its fans[/sub][/sub]

One more thing directly in response to the title of this article:

Why does Microsoft require you to buy one of their new head-sets? Simply put:

 

[masticina]

Is Microsoft TRYING to dig themself a hole.

I mean they have USB right.. and they COULD support basic USB based headsets right. Right not! Because it is easier to get money if you force a SPECIFIC headset!

 

[Avalanche91]

You know.....Being a student in the field of communication and management, I am fairly sure that if I observe the announcements for the XBone close enough I'll have enough material to write a thesis called; "how not to do it".

 

[Souplex]

As someone who has played a few games with other people who use Kinect microphones, I can see this ending badly.
Who wants to listen to the distorted sound of their game in addition to your own?

 

[Dogstile]

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.

 

[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.

 

[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.