Xbox Live audio quality boosted in fall update

Microsoft has said that it plans to improve the technical quality of voice communication across Xbox Live through a system update, set to arrive this fall. The update, which Eurogamer reports will coincide with the November launch of Kinect, will upgrade the audio codec that handles all of your online chatting, strategizing and your mothering. [Update: Major Nelson has also confirmed the change in codec with Joystiq.]

Speaking at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival, Xbox Live Europe general manager Jerry Johnson explained that the basic codec had originally required just a 64k connection. "It's time for us to move on," he said. "Especially if we want to think about broadening - a crackly headset on the top of your head – not what people think of when they talk about popular entertainment."

Johnson's next statement, which suggested that general quality of Xbox Live communication would be improved by sending every subscriber a copy of "Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners)," was inaudible.