Sony to Release Wireless Keypad Add-on For PS3 Controllers

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Sony has announced a new wireless keyboard attachment for Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers, named simply the Wireless Keypad.

Some of the features of the new Wireless Keypad include bluetooth connectivity, automatic pairing with the PS3 via the included USB cable, a full QWERTY layout, and dedicated shortcut keys for one touch access to XMB features such as your "Friends" and "Message Box".

One additional and rather unique feature of the keypad will be it's "touch pad" mode. In this mode, a user doesn't type on the device, rather, he/she can slide a finger across the keyboard, much like a touchpad on a laptop, and move the cursor around the screen either in a game to select an option or in the web browser, to make for easier navigation. How well this feature will work is yet to be seen.

Sony also promises to utilize the Wireless Keypad in more and more exclusive software titles, including the hotly anticipated LittleBigPlanet, allowing for in-game text based chat, should you want to keep your microphone turned off.

You can expect to see the Wireless Keypad on store shelves this fall, if you're in the US, and by the end of the rest worlwide. A price has yet to be announced

View: Sony Wireless Keypad

(3 replies) #1 +Skwerl on 28 Aug 2008 - 18:16

Is it just me, or does this look almost silly enough to be an April Fool's joke in August? That looks like a really big thing to latch onto a game pad.

#1.1 RPDL on 28 Aug 2008 - 20:13

It won't really make a difference whether it is big or not, as it is in fron of the controller and not between the handles like the xbox360 keyboard controller.

#1.2 +DARKFiB3R on 28 Aug 2008 - 21:19

(RPDL said @ #1.1)

Does the Xbox 360 one make a difference? I was thinking of getting one, and the PS3 one too.

I'm just glad they are both qwerty

#1.3 Swordnyx on 31 Aug 2008 - 11:26

Interesting how you can say that as a positive "feature". I think it's hideous.

(1 reply) #2 TheNay on 28 Aug 2008 - 23:12

Looks really stupid, your L1/2 buttons are covered it looks like.. ermm..

#2.1 pjak on 29 Aug 2008 - 03:22

no, i think it sits on the controller and doesn't cover any buttons... see this picture to see what I mean.

#3 Kreuger on 29 Aug 2008 - 18:00

Does the Xbox 360 one make a difference? I was thinking of getting one, and the PS3 one too.

The only difference to me is the weight of the controller, it never interfered but I got used to it. I'm worried the same about this one. It looks like it would pull the controller downward. More so than the 360 one. But seeing it on the controller, it actually looks alright.

your L1/2 buttons are covered it looks like

I'm sure if it covered them, it would have buttons on it and that'd be uncomfortable so as pjak says, I doubt it covers them.

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