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PlayStation 3 Keypad to Bring Thumb Typing to PS3
Posted by Mark Wilson at 1:38 AM on August 21, 2008
Sony has just announced a keypad peripheral that sits on top of a DualShock 3 and SIXAXIS to allow QWERTY typing (it also appears to have its own Bluetooth connection and power source). A lot like the keypad Microsoft released a while back for the 360, it also has a touchpad for mouse support as well (that could even be used in some games). The pad will come in 8 different configurations/languages for PAL regions this November and there's no US release announcement yet. [Kotaku] UPDATE: We just received the full press release. It's coming to America, but still not dated.
TOKYO, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS(TM) and DUALSHOCK(R)3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.
The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation(R)Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.
Equipped with Bluetooth(R) functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar) such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily manoeuvre the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.
More and more exclusive software titles that will support text chat feature are scheduled for release towards the end of the year including LittleBigPlanet(TM) (SCEI).
SCEI will vigorously promote various measures to introduce new entertainment world that can be further enriched through the network, including PlayStation Home.
Release date and price of this product will be announced later in each region.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
D_Zarster
Posted 2:10 AM 21/8/08
great.. -.- I would like one thou
D_Zarster
JCM1223
Posted 2:06 AM 21/8/08
First Achievements and now this... PS3's next great game 'Tools of War'
JCM1223
ttech10
Posted 2:48 AM 21/8/08
[farm4.static.flickr.com]
ttech10
Dunny0, Team T/A
Posted 2:48 AM 21/8/08
Looks like the existing third party keyboard...
Not sure if it's MadCatz or who, but this looks a lot like it.
Dunny0, Team T/A
BaseVilliN
Posted 2:46 AM 21/8/08
Why on earth would they put the keys on top of the controller?
BaseVilliN
Sockatume
Posted 2:41 AM 21/8/08
Looks like there's a "hold" button (with the finger) which disables the keys. Nice.
Sockatume
enchantedgoose
Posted 2:37 AM 21/8/08
if i had a ps3 i would want this...
enchantedgoose
xaflatoonx
Posted 2:35 AM 21/8/08
I likes!!
i will get one.
xaflatoonx
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
Posted 2:35 AM 21/8/08
..okay, there's the picture, then.
Looks, uh....how the hell am I going to use that?
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
Posted 2:30 AM 21/8/08
Waiting to see pictures of this...going to hold off on connecting a real USB keyboard/mouse until then. I have faith in Sony to develop good peripherals.
man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.
krobinso
Posted 3:15 AM 21/8/08
Hickeroar: The touchpad could be the greenish blue nub on the top left. Kind of like the red IBM trackpoint nubs on IBM laptops. You could use it with your left finger kind of like using the L1\L2 buttons.
krobinso
odnet
Posted 3:02 AM 21/8/08
I like it, no reason they have to reinvent the wheel, MS keypad attachment works well why not just adopt what works.
odnet
Leathersoup
Posted 3:01 AM 21/8/08
wow. I'm glad Sony never copies anyone else. It's all about the innovation. ;)
Leathersoup
Hickeroar
Posted 2:56 AM 21/8/08
Not a bad looking rig. Where's the touchpad though? I can see a button to "enable" it, but where's the actual pad?
It would also be nice if the keypad were below the controller, not above it (like the 360s). It makes for more natural thumb typing that way.
If this comes out and is actually a decent device, I'll be getting one for sure.
Hickeroar
Rabid Penguin
Posted 2:54 AM 21/8/08
@Dunny0, Team T/A: Yeah, MadCatz makes one right now. This does look a little better though. I just don't see why they would put the keypad at the top of the controller...
Rabid Penguin
Voohoo
Posted 3:31 AM 21/8/08
Oh and why have a touchpad when Sony can innovate with "motionpad." Mouse control w/SIXAXIS ftw!
Voohoo
D_Zarster
Posted 3:30 AM 21/8/08
", a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface."
wow.. thats special.. I wonder how that will work out
D_Zarster
Voohoo
Posted 3:28 AM 21/8/08
@Rabid Penguin: Uh, obviously so it doesn't look like they TOTALLY ripped this off from Microsoft, that's why, duh.
btw, I really do wonder how it feels with the pad up there. One would think that putting it below would be more convenient for your thumbs.
Voohoo
Dunny0, Team T/A
Posted 3:26 AM 21/8/08
"Why is it on the top?"
Because that's where the USB port is?
Dunny0, Team T/A
leaverus
Posted 3:26 AM 21/8/08
It's a controller thong...
leaverus
f0rge
Posted 3:21 AM 21/8/08
wtf? how in god's name are you supposed to type on that thing?
f0rge
mr30gZune
Posted 4:03 AM 21/8/08
That looks just plain weird.
I'm glad tho that they atleast have a keyboard controller.
Ya here that M$. GET TO WORK!
mr30gZune
avidgator
Posted 3:56 AM 21/8/08
Any inclination if they intend to supply PC drivers? IMHO, the absence of these is one of the fundamental flaws with the counterpart for the XBOX controller...
avidgator
Playstation
Posted 4:23 AM 21/8/08
@CutePuppyz: I think that looks nice. Beside you haven't tried it yet, so let's give this a benefit of the doubt shall we?
Playstation
Playstation
Posted 4:22 AM 21/8/08
@man in gauze is king ramses II, silly.: thumbs perhaps?
Playstation
CutePuppyz
Posted 4:21 AM 21/8/08
@Voohoo: Exactly what I was going to say. That thing looks horrible to type on.
Ever since the Dell deals on the 360, I have been thinking maybe 360 will be my choice between that or the PS3...and I've always hated XBOX. The keypad for the 360 controller looks way comfier than this...
The only thing I can say about the design of this fugly fugly device is that at least they didn't use the Spider-Man font on the buttons like they did on the Sony Mylo 2.
CutePuppyz
Sockatume
Posted 4:20 AM 21/8/08
"Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface."
Am I imagining it, or is there just not enough blank space on there for this to be feasable? Maybe on the flat edges it could work?
Sockatume
StealthNinja
Posted 4:09 AM 21/8/08
Like I stated it should be like a Sony Vaio UX 490 UMPC with the sliding keyboard!
StealthNinja
StealthNinja
Posted 4:08 AM 21/8/08
Me likey, it makes me think; when will they just add a UMPC lcd touch screen, and have the qwerty keyboard slide out from underneath like Sony's Vaio Ux 490 UMPC, and have the controller button functions on top next/ and around on both sides of the screen; just like Xboxes 360 Zune computer phone! Plus, make it wireless/ cordless and blue tooth enabled with a Motorola styled S-9 head set but that's H20Audio.com water proof, with an arm band too! Plus, add a Carl Zeis 10 megapixel lens with a 10X optical zoom, and have a camcorder mode that can record over 150 frames per second and take SLR shots too! And it might as well have a SSD hard drive system like Samsungs or better! But until then, this is a cool gadget for a PS3 controller.
Tchao.
StealthNinja
witnessx
Posted 4:06 AM 21/8/08
Its looks like a jock strap for nerds!
witnessx
banned4life
Posted 4:48 AM 21/8/08
LOL. Fail. The ergonomics of that thing are atrocious. At least with the 360s take on this you can move your thumbs over and type. WTF are you supposed do with this? Did they do ANY usability testing?
banned4life
efenili
Posted 4:31 AM 21/8/08
eh, its not so hard to pull out my BT Aluminum Apple keyboard when lots of typing is needed. I don't think this honking thing hanging off my controller.
I'd have to move my hands up and down anyways
efenili
CutePuppyz
Posted 5:05 AM 21/8/08
@Playstation: Sure. I will, but just look at the thing. Does that thing even look comfy? Do a mock try and place your hands over your PS3 controller and try to air type. You have to reach UPWARDs to type on this type of keypad.
Whereas on the 360 chatpad, you just reach below and type. Much more ergonomic than this one...At least on the 360 pad your fingers wont have to hover OVER the control buttons...
@banned4life: I agree with ya.
CutePuppyz
Sockatume
Posted 5:54 AM 21/8/08
@CutePuppyz: Actually, it's pretty comfortable to hold a PS pad with your palms by the sides and the thumbs and fingers above. You shift your grip up, rather than down as on the 360 chatpad, but it's a pretty similar result. I'm more worried about it making the controller topheavy than anything else, but it should be fine on a DS3.
Sockatume
Playstation
Posted 6:48 AM 21/8/08
@CutePuppyz: I hear ya. The same thing goes for 360 pad a while ago. But surprisingly it works just well.
Playstation
CutePuppyz
Posted 8:46 AM 21/8/08
@Sockatume: Just enable Analog cursor moving. It'd probably work better too.
CutePuppyz
Kartune
Posted 9:10 AM 21/8/08
looks good
i dont see why you wouldnt just plug in your wireless keyboard and mouse though?
but if they are going to use it for games then i guess its kinda cool.
Kartune
Rabid Penguin
Posted 11:02 AM 21/8/08
@Voohoo: I wonder how that conversation went.
Boss: "We don't want to make our keypad look exactly like Microsoft's. How can we accomplish that?"
Employee: "We could make it suck."
Boss: "I like it. Make it happen."
Rabid Penguin
smartboydan has a headache
Posted 11:14 AM 21/8/08
@Rabid Penguin: Sony got one thing right. You don't have to have it.
smartboydan has a headache
Titus_Andronicus
Posted 10:52 PM 21/8/08
can anyone else see the inherent design flaw?
thumbs at the bottom of the controller. keyboard at the top.
hmm.
Titus_Andronicus
DONAR
Posted 2:22 AM 22/8/08
Ok, I understand not putting it at the base of the controller to avoid lawsuits from Microsoft, but are they coming out with 4 inch thumb-extender peripherals so you can actually type on the bloody thing?
DONAR
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
Posted 3:06 AM 22/8/08
Since Giz doesn't want to let me embed images today...
[www.amazon.com]
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
Posted 3:05 AM 22/8/08
Finally, the PS3 pad is as advanced as a third-party PS2 pad I picked up for 7 bucks.
HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak
VideoVampire
Posted 3:40 AM 22/8/08
Looks ok I guess we can get used to it.
VideoVampire
Prey521
Posted 3:10 AM 23/8/08
HAHAHAHA! This is pretty ridiculous! Good job there Sony, first Bluetooth for remote control and now this POS?
Prey521
techni
Posted 6:15 AM 25/8/08
Using Bluetooth was a great idea though.
And those idiots claiming Sony copied MS need to know a PS2 controller had this before 360
techni
StealthNinja
Posted 3:31 AM 26/8/08
To bad that, Sony doesn't have the 360 degree toggle controls like on their Play Station gamer pad/ controller; built like The XBOX 360 Zune phone, where it's small but could be introduced to be Sony's UMPC VAIO PlayStation/ PSP/ and a Handy Cam Cyber Shot with 10 + Megapixels and more than a 10X optical zoom! But think about it, Sony's Vaio UX 490 UMPC has the same styled keyboard but it's discretely hidden underneath, so that it slides and stores away to save space. And it's Bluetooth, and wifi, and a wireless system with a wireless T-1/ DSL modem with a GSM sim card, that's better than SKYPE! And has GPS, and interet web browsing. And a Biometrics system. It already has a 40 gigabyt hard drive that could be turned into a 300 gigabyt hard drive like Samsung's UMPC's ssd hdd! Plus, with the same remote controller concepts, but add motion sensors to it like Wii's or XBox's new remote controller with it, and have it being capable of watching TV too would be nice. And have the software applications that can transfer Blueray discs to Play on this concept like a UMPC, and all of Sony Playstation games and PSP games and PC games, with any other file too, then that would be so awesome for a road warior business man on the go.
StealthNinja
usernamegoeshere
Posted 6:52 AM 21/8/08
@CutePuppyz: I did that when I saw this. Well, I haven't tried it with my DS3 yet (I'm at work) but I tried it with my stapler and it seemed more natural for me to have to stretch my fingers up rather than down. It felt more comfortable. The reason why I never bought the pad for my 360 was the unnatural and not-so-ergonomic feel I got when I tried using my friend's. So, for me at least, this seems like a must-buy. The one thing that bothers me is the possible obstruction of the triggers.
usernamegoeshere