Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Headset Gains Better Bluetooth in Free Update
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is releasing a free update that adds Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio support to its 2024 Xbox Wireless Headset.
– This Bluetooth LE update enables features like potentially better battery life, lower latency, and high-quality voice chat on compatible Xbox handhelds.
– A key benefit is “super wideband stereo,” which maintains audio quality during two-way voice communication, a feature now available for Bluetooth LE headsets in Windows 11.
– The update also includes a shared audio feature for Windows 11, allowing audio to stream to two output devices simultaneously.
– This significant free update is exclusive to the 2024 headset model and follows a recent price increase for the product.
A significant free update is now enhancing the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset with advanced Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio capabilities. This upgrade, available for the 2024 model of the headset, introduces a suite of improvements that elevate its performance and versatility, particularly for gamers using modern handheld devices.
The integration of Bluetooth LE Audio promises several tangible benefits. Users can expect better battery life and reduced latency during gameplay. A major advancement is the delivery of clear, high-quality voice chat when the headset is paired with Microsoft’s handheld systems like the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. This addresses a common pain point with older Bluetooth Classic technology, which often forces a severe compromise in audio fidelity when enabling two-way communication.
Microsoft initially previewed this enhanced audio concept last August, branding it “super wideband stereo.” This feature, designed to maintain premium audio quality during voice calls, is now accessible on Windows 11 for any compatible Bluetooth LE headset. Furthermore, the update enables the shared audio feature from Microsoft’s Insider Preview, allowing a single PC to stream audio simultaneously to two different audio outputs, such as two headsets or a combination of headphones and speakers. It’s worth noting that while super wideband stereo is live for Windows, its rollout for the Xbox Ally devices is imminent, with official communication stating it is “coming soon.”
This substantial firmware enhancement is exclusive to the refreshed 2024 version of the Xbox Wireless Headset and is not available for the original 2021 model. Delivering this level of new functionality at no cost adds considerable value to the product. This move may help soften the impact of a recent price adjustment for the headset, which increased from its original $99 to a current $119. The update also subtly reinforces the growing convergence between the Xbox ecosystem and the PC gaming platform, hinting at a future where the lines between dedicated consoles and computers continue to blur.
(Source: The Verge)
