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]

Sony Nixing Camera Could Put Microsoft's Kinect in Jeopardy

It's not breaking news since it was discovered a day after Sony's E3 conference, but it's official that one of the reasons for a $100 difference in price between the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is the company's decision to sell the camera peripheral separately compared to Microsoft shipping their console with an updated Kinect.

Looking deeper into it, there's much more than going into this than Sony just wanting a price drop. Not taking advantage of a technology they created could backfire, but they could also limit what their competition does.

Not packaging in the camera and making it a $60 add-on is not going to sell well, especially at launch. There's not going to be enough for the casual consumer to justify an attachment that costs about $15 more than a controller.

Bringing up the controller, it now looks foolish on Sony's end when considering they added a special LED-light to every controller for the camera to easily read where the player is at.

"What's worse, the DualShock 4's integrated LEDs are now good for little more than visual flair," writes IGN's Scott Lowe. "Per Sony, the light-up panels will help indicate the player associated with each controller and, when supported, react to in-game cues, such as blinking red when a player is low on health. Ultimately, the limited functionality of the LEDs without the aid of the Eye won't impact the player experience or even drastically diminish the overall battery life of the controller, but it's a lingering reminder of Sony's failure to support the tech."

Thing is, it's too early to tell how much the Eye or Microsoft's Kinect will actually be used by third-party software. Early indication of games at E3 show that there's not much support despite little things that gamers can easily live without.

In general, if both consoles don't use a certain tech, then third-party developers generally ignore it. That's why the SIXAXIS motion control was barely touched outside of Sony's developers. That's why generally the Kinect has been a gimmick for most third-party software.

If Sony included the camera with the PS4 as originally planned, that means there's a near 100 percent install base for the peripherals with the exception of people that bought the console used -- unless they decided to go the route that Microsoft took and made the Kinect mandatory to use.

Now with that market fragmented, Sony could have made a decision that makes the Kinect generally useless except for navigation in the Xbox One and exclusive titles. That makes the higher $100 plateau harder to justify for the gamer that's deciding on the next console.

[Source: IGN]
[Image credit: Flickr/Ryoichi Tanaka]

Reaction to Microsoft's Unveiling of Xbox One

Microsoft officially announced their latest next-generation console, the Xbox One, with just about as much information as there is confusion on certain aspects of the unit. Let's try and break things down piece by piece, and we'll make some comparisons to the new PlayStation 4...as this is a PlayStation blog.

Let's get this out of the way first - this is not a blog post that's going to bash Microsoft's new console because it's the competition. As an all-around gamer with an open mind, I've preferred Sony over the years with more exclusive games and a comfortable gaming environment. Hence the reason I own
Sony gaming products.

Now, let's get to it.

1. Generally the official names of consoles have been disappointing, and this one is no different. Nintendo hasn't gotten a comfortable name that sticks since GameCube - Nintendo 64 was a perfectly good name despite many people not understanding what the 64 even meant. A name and a number is the best thing to use for a console name, but going back like Microsoft did with Xbox One doesn't make sense. The name most likely means that it is the one piece of machine ever needed to hook up to a TV, but going from 360 to one just doesn't feel right.
2. The controller looks as sleek as ever, and finally the directional pad has been improved on. But for players use to a DualShock, it's hard to stretch away from old reliable. Using a pseudo-DualShock controller for computer games before finally getting a PlayStation 3, it's a layout that prefer and is the best overall design. Some view the Xbox 360's controller as the best thing ever, so it's all a matter of personal preference.
3. A number of games in development is not a replacement for listing games off in development. One thing that's been a pleasure for PlayStation owners is the wide variety of games and exclusives the console receives. Old reliables of Uncharted, Infamous, and more will grace Sony's new console and will make it an instant buy. Those that only use gaming for sports and Call of Duty won't notice the difference, but then again those people wouldn't be reading this blog anyway.
4. Microsoft's Kinect has always had more potential than Sony's PlayStation Move, and with a little less lag it would be a real joy to control the Xbox One almost entirely with that. It could serve as a necessary feature in games that are comfortable instead of a waggling mess that Wii and PlayStation Move adopters have played with.
5. Is this the end of GameStop as we know it? Microsoft opting to read games entirely off the machine is only pushing us more into the digital age. My question is why even have physical discs if they're rendered completely useless after their installed? People are going to be required to connect to the internet at least once every 24 hours to use this system anyway. If people are unable to download a whole game, they may not be able to use the console. The days of borrowing games to try them out will be gone for those that get the new Xbox.
6. The difference between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 is clear - one is for a complete home entertainment system, and the other is more tailored for gaming. But there's a reason why I already have a computer, a tablet, and a smartphone - which all can hook up to my television anyway. Needing the Xbox One for anything else than a video game console that plays Bluray movies is rendered nearly useless. What makes the PS4 more preferable is the stronger graphics processing that can stream sports packages (like MLB.TV and NFL Sunday Ticket) and video services like Netflix and Hulu.
7. Biggest disappointment by far is learning that the Xbox One will be always online. It doesn't really bother me as I can always receive a connection, but why even have it? If people don't have a connection for whatever reason and can't sign in for 24 hours, what can people do on this unit? If I can't do anything that doesn't require an internet connection, this results in a major failure and terrible decision by Microsoft. 

There's plenty more to uncover with both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, such as official retail prices and a laundry list of titles available at or around launch.

From a PlayStation owner's perspective, there is nothing that either impressed me or made me think of jumping or additionally owning a new Xbox machine. It doesn't really fit any of my personal needs, the Kinect improvements are welcome but are not a necessity, and the only other thing I own with a Microsoft logo is my cheap Windows 7 desktop. 

That being said, I'm still eager to see more details on the new console. If Microsoft is opting for a more complete entertainment system, and a terrible decision to enter an online connection always needed, the general gamers will likely opt for the next PlayStation.

[Photo credit: Flickr/Miguel Angel Aranda (Viper)]