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PS4 and Xbox One won’t support your expensive third-party headset – for now , now that will **** me off
If you’ve invested in a nice wireless headset for the next-gen launch, prepare for some bad news. Unfortunately, the majority of third-party and wireless headsets will not work with the PS4 or Xbox One at launch. While Sony does plan on releasing compatibility patches down the road, and Microsoft will eventually release an adapter to enable other headsets, this news leaves a rancid taste in the mouths of many core gamers who have already invested in fancy headsets that they can no longer use with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Eurogamer is reporting that both Sony-branded headsets and the Pulse headsets will not work on day one, but will receive a patch at a later time. Likewise, USB-based voice chat solutions will eventually be added with a system update. Headsets using digital optical interfaces will work at launch, but Bluetooth headsets won’t work at all — there isn’t even any word about future plans for support. Sony hasn’t explained why something as relatively simple as Bluetooth voice chat won’t work, but there are a few ideas bouncing around the internet.
The most cynical explanation is that Sony wants to encourage users to buy all-new headsets for the PS4. Sure, accessory margins are nice and cushy, but then why promise support for some models down the road? Perhaps, the better guess involves a lack of engineering and testing resources. When you’re adding different wireless technologies to the mix, there could potentially be interference issues. Since Sony has all hands on deck getting ready to launch an entirely new platform, it doesn’t have the manpower to implement and test solutions for a wide variety of headsets. If an oddball headset has the possibility of interfering with the controller or WiFi signal, Sony likely doesn’t want to deal with that customer service nightmare.
When the Xbox One was announced, Microsoft tried to sell the Kinect as the be-all, end-all of voice chatting. Eventually, the Xbox team broke down, and included a headset in the box. Sadly, the headset situation isn’t much better on the Xbox One either. If you’ve invested in a nice headset for the Xbox 360, that won’t work with the Xbox One until Microsoft issues an adaptor. It looks like you’ll be stuck with the cheap pack-in or the Kinect’s microphone during the launch window.
Recently, Business Spectator reported that Sony waffled heavily behind the scenes on the topic of its Kinect competitor. Sony was dead-set on making that $399 asking price without having to take a bath on each unit sold. In the end, the PlayStation Camera was separated from the console, and that gives Microsoft a slight advantage in terms of input. Voice chat works out of the box on the Xbox One, but the PS4 will need a $60 add-on to enable headset-free chatting. Is that worth the $100 savings? Sony seems to think so.
If you’ve invested in a nice wireless headset for the next-gen launch, prepare for some bad news. Unfortunately, the majority of third-party and wireless headsets will not work with the PS4 or Xbox One at launch. While Sony does plan on releasing compatibility patches down the road, and Microsoft will eventually release an adapter to enable other headsets, this news leaves a rancid taste in the mouths of many core gamers who have already invested in fancy headsets that they can no longer use with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Eurogamer is reporting that both Sony-branded headsets and the Pulse headsets will not work on day one, but will receive a patch at a later time. Likewise, USB-based voice chat solutions will eventually be added with a system update. Headsets using digital optical interfaces will work at launch, but Bluetooth headsets won’t work at all — there isn’t even any word about future plans for support. Sony hasn’t explained why something as relatively simple as Bluetooth voice chat won’t work, but there are a few ideas bouncing around the internet.
The most cynical explanation is that Sony wants to encourage users to buy all-new headsets for the PS4. Sure, accessory margins are nice and cushy, but then why promise support for some models down the road? Perhaps, the better guess involves a lack of engineering and testing resources. When you’re adding different wireless technologies to the mix, there could potentially be interference issues. Since Sony has all hands on deck getting ready to launch an entirely new platform, it doesn’t have the manpower to implement and test solutions for a wide variety of headsets. If an oddball headset has the possibility of interfering with the controller or WiFi signal, Sony likely doesn’t want to deal with that customer service nightmare.
When the Xbox One was announced, Microsoft tried to sell the Kinect as the be-all, end-all of voice chatting. Eventually, the Xbox team broke down, and included a headset in the box. Sadly, the headset situation isn’t much better on the Xbox One either. If you’ve invested in a nice headset for the Xbox 360, that won’t work with the Xbox One until Microsoft issues an adaptor. It looks like you’ll be stuck with the cheap pack-in or the Kinect’s microphone during the launch window.
Recently, Business Spectator reported that Sony waffled heavily behind the scenes on the topic of its Kinect competitor. Sony was dead-set on making that $399 asking price without having to take a bath on each unit sold. In the end, the PlayStation Camera was separated from the console, and that gives Microsoft a slight advantage in terms of input. Voice chat works out of the box on the Xbox One, but the PS4 will need a $60 add-on to enable headset-free chatting. Is that worth the $100 savings? Sony seems to think so.
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