If you don't mind having a wire dangling down over your chest, there are plenty of options for online gamers who want to talk smack amongst their friends over a headset. In the wireless realm however, pickings are a whole lot slimmer. The Xbox 360's wireless functionality uses proprietary technology and Microsoft does not share it easily. Peripheral developer Mad Catz is now one of the lucky few however, as they're currently working on delivering a new wireless headset for use with the console.
Let's be clear here: this is the first time a third-party developer is being allowed to release a wireless headset for the Xbox 360. It's actually a co-branded effort, as the headset will bear the logos of both Microsoft and Mad Catz's Tritton line. There are actually two items in development, wired stereo headphones and wireless Dolby 5.1 headphones. No product specs are available yet, but they're both expected to arrive during the fall 2011 holiday season.
It's funny seeing this news today as I was just talking last night about the wireless headset situation as it relates to Xbox 360. I've had pretty lousy experiences with all manner of wired headsets on the console, whether they cut out a lot or the wire is too flimsy or the like, and I expected the same when I bought my wireless 360 headset several years ago. To my surprise, it worked well and continues to work to this day. The battery life is reasonable; it can't hold up against a full day of hardcore "Call of Duty" gaming, but it's still good for seven or eight hours at a stretch.
That said, a wireless option with Dolby 5.1 sound is pretty tantalizing. Depending on what the price of this sucker is -- and the comfort level, which is equally important if not moreso -- it may be time for an upgrade later this year.