Every Xbox One Includes a Chat Headset

In a blog post published alongside a new Xbox One Day One edition unboxing video on Xbox Wire, Microsoft revealed several new details regarding its upcoming console and accessories as they unboxed the new machine, said to be one of 20 final-spec Xbox Ones in the world so far.

Most notably, the Xbox One Day One edition will include an Xbox One Chat Headset, reversing the policy Microsoft announced in June. (Note: IGN has confirmed with Microsoft that the Chat Headset will be included in every Xbox One and not just the limited-edition Day One versions of the console)

Xbox Wire editor Lisa Gurry explains the chat on Xbox One offers three times the sampling rate of the Xbox 360 and that the lightweight earpiece with its bendable, rotating mic boom (which can be worn on either the right or left ear) tips the scales at only 44 grams. You can also control the volume and mute without taking your hands off the controller, as those buttons are placed at the connection point with the gamepad.

The Xbox One controller, which Microsoft reiterated features more than 40 design improvements, will allow you to play wirelessly with standard AA or rechargeable AA batteries (or via the standard micro USB port for wired play). The micro USB cable (not included) will charge the batteries if you are using the Xbox One Play & Charge Kit, although it will not charge generic rechargeable AA batteries.

Albert Penello, director of product planning for Xbox One, elaborates here, explaining that when you plug a micro-USB cable into the controller for wired play the internal radio is actually shut off and all data is transmitted through the wire. In this mode you’ll actually be able to use the controller without batteries.

Penello also notes that the HDMI cable included in the box is a Category 2 HDMI cable, rated for 1080p, 3D and 4K, according to the HDMI 1.4 spec. He also explains that, while the built-in wireless on Xbox 360 just supported single-band A/B/G/N @ 2.4ghz the Xbox One wireless radio is A/B/G/N, but supports dual-band 2.4ghz and 5ghz frequencies.

The Xbox One console itself, the Kinect sensor and even the HDMI cable and the power supply all have a “liquid black” finish.

IGN has contacted Microsoft for further details, including the length of the included HDMI cable, and we'll report back once we receive a reply.

Splinter Cell Blacklist: 7-minute video brings you up to speed

Here's a new Splinter Cell Blacklist video that offers a look at Sam Fisher's new gadgets and weapons.

You'll also be briefed on the game's plot, introduced to members of 4Th Echelon and given a look at some of the new tech including the Paladin aircraft and the Strategic Mission Interface.

We said in our most recent Splinter Cell Blacklist preview: "There's a lot of Chaos Theory in Blacklist, reintroducing as it does moveable bodies, multi-route levels and adversarial multiplayer. Unlike the Splinter Cell's of old, however, that playstyle doesn't inform the whole game. Some missions see you steadily creep through a darkened dock like old Sam, while some let you rampage through a Middle-Eastern village in broad daylight. Crucially, both Sam's feel true to Splinter Cell."

The Splinter Cell Blacklist release date is set for August 20 in North America, August 22 in EMEA territories and August 23 in the UK.

Target cutting Vita price to $200, claims report

US gamers will be able to buy a PlayStation Vita for $199.99 at a Target store from August 18, according to multiple online reports.

Scans of an alleged Target promo flier surfaced online today showing the sale price for "all PS Vita portable systems" starting August 18 - 24.

A drop to $199.99 on both the Wifi-only and 3G versions of Vita would represent at $50 or $100 (respectively) discount on the Sony handheld, which has struggled to sell at its current retail price.

Target stores local to this editor claimed no knowledge of an impending price cut, but that doesn't rule out the validity of the reports.

Sony declined to offer specific Vita data in its first quarter financial report recently, instead bundling together Vita and PSP sales, which came in at just 600,000, down from 1.4 million in the same period a year earlier.

But a Sony exec was willing to admit that the Vita "is not performing that well" at retail.

Sony's latest hardware sales guidance remained unchanged from its May outlook, with the firm still expecting to sell a combined total of five million handheld systems in the year ending April 2014.