New Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth, Remote with Live TV button coming this November

by Christopher Grant on Jul 26th 2011 10:35AM

It's generally accepted that while Microsoft may excel at creating software and platforms, it struggles with hardware. Just ask anyone that's replaced an Xbox 360 (that's just about everyone, right?). Also on that list: The original Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and the barebones Media Remote.

That's why we think you'll be excited to learn that Redmond is replacing both products with newly designed (and enhanced!) versions. The Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth will be available in "early November 2011" worldwide for $60, a $10 premium over the existing headset. In exchange for that $10, you'll get Bluetooth support, so you can use the headset with other devices, like cell phones and your PlayStation 3. It still connects to the Xbox 360 "through the console's standard radio frequencies," so it remains to be seen if audio quality will remain a problem.

Also available in early November is the new Xbox 360 Media Remote, for $20. While it doesn't offer a ton of improvements over the original, outside of the shiny new look, there is one notable addition: "Live TV, if provided on the Xbox 360 by your TV service provider, can also be controlled with the Xbox 360 Media Remote." While the original Xbox Media Remote also had a "Live TV" button, it accessed the console's Windows Media Center extender functionality; notably, the entire Media Center button has been removed. More likely, this button provides instant access to the still-mysterious live TV service announced at E3. We've asked Microsoft to clarify.

For now, soak in the pictures in the gallery below, and watch Major Nelson show off the headset in the video past the break.

New Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and Remote

Source: Major Nelson

Tags: bluetooth, headset, microsoft, peripherals, xbox

Reader Comments (66)

OH SHIT!!!

I didnt even know the new 360's had Bluetooth in them!!

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
they dont.... see article above

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

see:
"It still connects to the Xbox 360 "through the console's standard radio frequencies," "

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Downvote me.....

I read too fast....smh....the headset doesn't connect to the 360 via bluetooth

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

thats ok we all have our days :)

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

They don't.

From the post:
'It still connects to the Xbox 360 "through the console's standard radio frequencies,"'

@louiedog

Sorry. I didn't meant to keep at that. I posted seconds after refreshing the page and your comment was still the only one on the page. Now there are 8. This seems to be happening frequently on Joystiq lately.

they dont.

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

ummm they don-

oh wait.

i dont know why the original wireless headset has such a bad rap. yeah the first ones had some issues but those have dissappeared. Now if we could convince everyone that the kinect was NOT intended as a xbox live mic things will be better.

@Protege420 This is going to be awesome, because now you can use just one headset for ps3 and xbox 360 :-)

@Sled
i do like the sound of that

@Protege420

I've had two of them, and they're both terrible. Googling for other feedback and playing with others who have them has only reinforced that belief.

1) Crappy speaker quality – my $30 Bluetooth headset sounds better. Also, the weird foam padding has completely fallen off of my headset.

2) Crappy mic quality! Everyone I'm playing with agrees it sounds terrible, just like the one I had before sounded terrible. Similarly, I can hear it when playing against other gamers with the wireless headset.

3) Proprietary! $50 and I can only use it with my Xbox? ... uhh, not a good value!

4) Charging cable uses a tiny pin and a power plug instead of a USB cable. I ordered a USB cable with that tiny DC pin on it so I could recharge the thing from my Xbox ... which is near where it lives. Every Bluetooth headset I've ever owned has a mini-USB charge port on it.

I'm curious if this new headset will sound better (can check over Bluetooth) – if so, it might be the Xbox radio that's eating the quality of my current headset, and not necessarily the headset itself. But since it only works with an Xbox, it doesn't really matter.

@chrisgrant
hmmmm number four...... better update your product information

@Protege420

I don't follow ... "update your product information"?

@chrisgrant - I believe the DC charger only came with the originals. From what I've been told (mine did have the DC charger), the newer ones ship with a USB charger so while that may have been an issue when you (and I) purchased, it isn't one anymore.

I have one of the first ones to hit the shelf & I never had near the issues that other people did. I took the foam piece off the mic on one of my numerous broken 360 wired headsets & put it over the mic on the wireless one and that seemed to fix any audio issues as nobody I played with ever complained after that.

My only standing issue with the headset and it's one that appears to continue is that the mute & volume are up at your ear. Having to reach up to your head to adjust those isn't very convenient, especially when it comes to playing a shooter or a racing game. I much prefer having those controls at the controller level like the original Xbox & the pre-chat pad 360 headsets.

@Mcmax3000
that sums it up perfectly thank you

Why does Microsoft hate Windows Media Center?

@Mr Hett because its usefulness has expired....this coming from someone that use to use it on a PC in a room that didn't have a TV to watch TV.....im its current state its just balls.....if the 360 is getting live TV then no reason Media Center shouldnt as well.........other then the fact that they are trying to kill it....

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi

How will the 360 be getting live TV without a tuner?

I have a cablecard tuner in my PC, do they expect me to stop using that and use their IPTV service?

@Mr Hett the internet of course....

IPTV is on its way to being how TV is going....and from what I remember I think that Live TV is dependent on your Cable provider anyways......so if thats the case then you wont be able to cancel your current cable and still have IPTV from them....could be wrong tho...I dont remember the details to good on that

@Mr Hett Media Center was held back by the cable/sat companies for too long on the live TV side. The other main features, streaming music/movies/pics, is something that's built into nearly every device you buy these days. So having a dedicated system + extenders for that is a huge waste.

I tried for years to make an MC based system in my house using cable and it was always a pain int he ass, way more trouble than it was worth. I switched it u-verse, which is based on MC and I've gotten everything I wanted my MC based system to be wtih the exception of streaming my own movie rips. Though in those cases, I just switch to the 360 and do them from there. I'm waiting for two of the 360 u-verse kits to come in and then I won't even have to switch.

@Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi
wmc actually has live tv, at least for us in the UK and Ireland :P

http://go.sky.com/watch/windows-media-center/

So, these work without an adapter, huh? Does that mean the 360 has always had bluetooth but was always referenced as "standard radio frequencies"?

@Stormbarrier read the article, it switches from xbox frequencies to bluetooth frequencies

@Stormbarrier

This was asked above, the 360 does not have bluetooth. The bluetooth is for other devices like phones. The headset will connect using the same frequencies as the controllers and other wireless headset.

@Sled

I did read the article, and it doesn't actually say it switches frequencies. The article, and the source, says the headset can support bluetooth. I'm curious if the headset has two separate radios in it or if the bluetooth radio on the headset is compatiblewith the 360's "standard radio frequencies".

@Stormbarrier - It has both. The 360 does not have Bluetooth in it. It does now & forever will use the proprietary format. This one just supports Bluetooth as well.

I plan on getting a Windows Phone 7 smartphone in the fall, also will be looking for a bluetooth headset to go with said phone.. I think this will be perfect.

I hope that this one at least has better voice pick up. The original wireless headset always required me to talk louder then I wanted to.

@System Has Failed
Maybe I never noticed that because I always talk loudly :$

My friend put up a montage and I was in a party with him when he was recording, at one point you can just hear me really loudly DX

@iceytoa1

I usually do too, but when its night and the kids are in bed I try to talk quieter and my friends always say I keep cutting in and out. That is my only gripe with the microsoft headsets, no way to set voice sensitivity

Getting a WP7 in the fall, huh? I got one this spring, and let me just say, IT IS AWESOME. Most of my siblings have Droids, and Windows Phone blows them all out of the water.

That being said, when you go in and tell your cell phone service rep that you want a WP7, be prepared for them to talk crap about it and push you towards an Android. They know nothing.

@Mouthsmasher

LOL I have a friend with a LG Optimus 7 that talked me into looking at a WP7 phone, I'm probably gonna get the Samsung Focus, unless Rogers releases another phone with WP7 by the fall. Thanks for the heads up on the reps, I generally don't listen to them anyways, always speaking opinion and never fact

Plus, Mango is gonna make WP7 even more awesome, I think the only gripe I have seen that isn't being addressed in the update is no flash... but with HTML and IE9 who cares :P

@Mouthsmasher
Agreed, I went into a phone store and they said "You look like the kind of person who'd want an iPhone!?"
"No, I hate them, I hate Apple, I hate iPods, do I still look like I want one"
They then claim I was the pickiest person they'd ever met.

Its a shame that ear loop on the headset NEVER lasts... I've had a couple break on me in the same place.. on that "c" part that clips to the earpiece.

Hopefully this is made of better plastics..

I HATE this new design. The best thing about the current version is that it all sits outside of the ear, it's easily the most comfortable wireless headset I've ever used. I can't stand the cylindrical pegs that go in the ear for the speaker, and I hate the wire that goes around the outer ear ... I'm sure this will be just as uncomfortable as every bluetooth headset with the same features, at least for me.

Well it's about time that Microsoft designs a better headset. Hopefully now I can have a good wireless headset. Though I have to say, I still think Sony's PS3 headset is better. I mean, this new 360 headset is massive compared to the PS3's. And the PS3's already works fantastically with my cell phone. Plus it has the charging dock, with the added benefit of being able to continue chatting in desktop mode while it charges. Eh, I'll still probably get this new 360 headset though. It does look like an improvement, I just wish Microsoft had gone farther.

I like the sound (and look) of the headset working with other devices. I have the reach designed wireless one. Looka nice but friends can never hear me unless I'm yelling into the piece of crap. If the sound quality is good on this one I think I'll be getting this :-)

Nice headset design, but I think I'll just keep using one of the 3-4 wired ones that I've amassed over the years.

Definitely getting one of those remotes for the living room Xbox though!

I like that remote. I'm getting 1 of those.

The headset looks nice. When it releases, I'll try of them out. I'd like to have 1 wireless headset for both consoles.

So £35-£40 in the UK by my Estimate?
I love my wireless ear piece don't get me wrong but that's just too much.

Tritton WarHead's here I come!

Ok the real question now is can it be paired with your Xbox and your phone at the same time so while you are gaming you can answer your phone ?

If it can do this I'll definitely be picking one up

After buying three seperate "official" wireless headsets and having all but my latest one (which is on it's death bed) I have decided to go 3rd party. Sorry MS but I have no faith in any accessory of yours save you controller.

Sorry for the double post.

After buying three separate "official" wireless headsets and having all but my latest one (which is on it's death bed) I have decided to go 3rd party. Sorry MS but I have no faith in any accessory of yours save you controller.

So, does this mean kinect will become obsolete....I thought that kinect was to be used for controlling media, why need a remote when there's kinect?

@DjRon360 - Uhhhhhhhhhh... No.

They've always sold a media remote for the 360, since day one. This is just an updated version of that with a button for the Live TV service that they're introducing.

Turtle beach> any microsoft mic configuraton.

@Adhesive

Turtle Beach < any possible headset alternative on the market (even a string attached to a tin can)

Fact

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New Xbox 360 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth, Remote with Live TV button coming this November

New Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and Remote

Reader Comments (66)

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:42AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:43AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:44AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:44AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:44AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:45AM louiedog said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:47AM louiedog said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 2:15PM PedoJokerBear said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 3:50PM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:42AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:47AM Sled said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:49AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:50AM chrisgrant said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:14AM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:37AM chrisgrant said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:40AM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 12:43PM Protege420 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:43AM Mr Hett said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:47AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:54AM Mr Hett said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:56AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 12:03PM oolzie said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 12:34PM lyons said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:45AM Stormbarrier said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:48AM Sled said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:48AM System Has Failed said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:02AM Stormbarrier said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:44AM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:47AM System Has Failed said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:20AM iceytoa1 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:51AM System Has Failed said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 1:09PM Mouthsmasher said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 2:44PM System Has Failed said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 2:47PM System Has Failed said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 3:20PM iceytoa1 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:51AM NebsiNsaNe said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 10:54AM Epoque said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:11AM razgriz94 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:18AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:18AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:18AM MLC said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:18AM iceytoa1 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:35AM oOWallaceOo said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:36AM JustinSaneV2 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:37AM JustinSaneV2 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:36AM JustinSaneV2 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:38AM DjRon360 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:47AM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 11:55AM Adhesive said

Posted: Jul 26th 2011 9:35PM Anticrawl said

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