Console Wars: Current Generation Bluetooth Headsets Compatible with PS4, Xbox One Pushes Kinect

Even though the PlayStation 4 will include an in-ear mono headset, players that have purchased the more expensive Bluetooth headsets for the PS3 will happy to know that those will be supported on the PS4.

Polygon confirmed during their San Diego Comic-Con coverage that wireless headsets will work, taking advantage of a situation that Microsoft isn't able to use because of the Xbox One's new adapter ports.

The upcoming PlayStation 4 console will support previous generation PlayStation 3 wireless headsets, a Sony official at San Diego Comic-Con told Polygon.

PS4 consoles will still ship with their own mono headset in earbud form —comparatively, late last month Microsoft confirmed no Xbox One headset will be included in the base system of the console as the system will instead emphasize Kinect-driven voice inputs. Unlike PS4, previous-generation headsets will not be compatible with Xbox One controllers due to a new headset adapter port.

It's an interesting complete contrast made by Sony. Previously having a completely scattered market of headsets in multiplayer games, every PS4 purchaser will be able to talk in-game and owners of fancy PS3 headsets can simply jump to the new system because there's nothing new in the Bluetooth technology that prevents it.

Xbox One users won't completely get the shaft as the bundled Kinect 2.0 can be used to chat with other users, but the security and advantages of an actual headset will likely win more gamers over.

Again, this is something that Sony could use as a marketing strategy to win more of the Xbox users that strictly use that system for Call of Duty and Madden franchises.

From potentially hurting the Kinect in third-party software accessibility to including a headset for all owners, along with a $100 discount on day one, Sony continues to be making the right moves to start off ahead in the next generation.

[Source: Polygon]

[Image credit: Flickr/yum9me]