Xbox 360 to get keyboard controller attachment

That two year old rumor that the Xbox 360 was to get a qwerty keyboard attachment has been resurrected, with the appearance of another Gamespot article (leak?) referring to a 47 key keyboard which snaps onto the Xbox 360 controller and communicates through the headset jack. Gamespot says that the peripheral is to be used in conjunction with the cross-platform instant messaging capabilities to be added to the Spring dashboard update. Apparently it'll be available in the Summer for an as yet unnamed price. Bring on the tired thumbs.

[Thanks, Jack W]

Update: Looks like Gamespot ganked the post. What could it mean?

[Jason @ Apr 8th 2007 2:05PM]

Screw that. I want a full keyboard and mouse.

[Dean @ Apr 8th 2007 2:07PM]

Kinda cool, but you could just plug a USB keyboard into your box for the same functionality, except you can use your hands instead of just your thumbs.

[Sindre Strandum @ Apr 8th 2007 3:18PM]

Dont you mean fingers? You dont type with your whole hand do you?

[Steven Hartig @ Apr 8th 2007 2:16PM]

finally! I've been waiting on this one for a long time, I can't bare to use a full-size keyboard.

[Anonymous.Skull @ Apr 8th 2007 2:58PM]

This is actually pretty darn sweet. It's gonna have to snap in real tight, though - I expect that if it's real, it'll have a plastic piece that extends up the back to support strong typers. I'm used to typing on my Sidekick 3, and find it's pretty fast once you get the hang of it. If this image is a mock-up of a real product, the keyboard is nearly identical to the Sidekicks, which is one of the best thumb QWERTY keyboards on a mobile phone - if it's a fake, well... wishful thinking.

[Webber @ Apr 8th 2007 3:21PM]

Gamespot has two strikes with MS now

[Leaker @ Apr 8th 2007 3:18PM]

the only problem i see is the fact that i got HUGE hands and when i hold a controller where it looks like the keyboard is my palms/fingers go

[BloodFalcon @ Apr 8th 2007 3:25PM]

This keyboard attachment looks alot like a SIDEKICK 2.

Frankly, If Microsoft does produce a keyboard attachment - HOPEFULLY they will be bringing an internet browser to my Xbox360 too.

And it that is the case...I'm with {Jason} - give me the choice between this device and a regular USB Keyboard and Mouse.

I remember the days when I used to play Quake 2 on my Pc and use the keyboard to talk smack to people under the tags {Argon Buddha} and {Hollowpoint}. Now all I got to do is just "talk smack" to em with the Xbox headset. Since 360's come with the headset, this keyboard attachment would only be useful if 360 got a internet browser. Though it would help for typing messages on xbox live - I've gotten used to voice chat and hunt&peck typing via controller.

[BloodFalcon @ Apr 8th 2007 3:29PM]

I will tell you this though... If this is the working model of the upcoming QWERTY keyboard, I HOPE AND PRAY that it has more tension in the headset jack than the actually Xbox Live Headset has.

While I'm playing R6:Vegas for extended periods of time, I tend to get the cord tangled on my clothes/body and it gets ripped out the jack because the little prongs holding it in aren't tight enough. I'd hope that wouldn't happen with this keyboard.

[charlie @ Apr 8th 2007 3:37PM]

If they don't simultaneously offer support for USB keyboards I'll... well, I'll do nothing, but I will be annoyed that yet again, Microsoft is making Xbox users pay an inflated rate for an inferior proprietary product where they could have allowed their customers access to a wealth of excellent products built for an open standard.

-They make you purchase their proprietary hard drives instead of allowing you to slip in a standard 2.5" SATA drive. You could buy a 120GB 2.5" SATA drive for $80 shipped online. Their proprietary model will probably be $199 MSRP.
-They make you use their proprietary flash memory cards: $49.99 for 512MB. You can buy a 4GB CompactFlash card for about $50 shipped, or a 512MB model for under $15. USB flash memory drives are cheap and would be convenient too.
-If you want a wireless headset, its a proprietary $49.99 model for you. A decent bluetooth headset can be had for under $30.

So now how much are they going to charge for a thumb board when most people would much rather use a full-size USB keyboard that they have laying around, or at worst could go buy for $8. People who want wireless probably would have appreciated being able to use the wide selection of bluetooth keyboards available

[kitt2112 @ Apr 8th 2007 5:52PM]

WOW you know charlie now that you put all those points together, you make a very good point, it really shows how in M$ terms they give the customer a choice. a choice to spend more money for ever little upgrade, makes the ps3 look a allot better deal.

[azz0r @ Apr 9th 2007 4:21AM]

You can already use a USB keyboard on the 360 O_o

Those pictures look like a complete controller, you can't see the bit it joins, hope it isn't a whole separate controller.

[ElusiveH @ Apr 8th 2007 3:43PM]

@charlie, they have offered USB keyboard support since LAUNCH. Try to actually plug things in and test them before you go off on dumb rants.

[MearWolf @ Apr 8th 2007 4:11PM]

lol, that's what i did, i just thought "hm, usb port, usb keboard, huzzaa, it works" lol

[Danf @ Apr 8th 2007 4:41PM]

so does that mean that you could have a pc-style interface for the 360?

that'd be really nice for shooters

[kingofwale @ Apr 8th 2007 3:58PM]

how much weight will this add to the already heavy 360 controller?

I see this is just a push for the 'rumoured' *wink wink* messenger thing.

still no Browsering?

[Freddy C @ Apr 8th 2007 4:01PM]

Well, it'll be a lot easier typing in those Microsoft points codes with this baby =) ...

[Zorque @ Apr 8th 2007 4:09PM]

No, because that wasn't a first party product.

[Jack Ward @ Apr 8th 2007 4:27PM]

I first noticed the controller this afternoon and posted it on my blog, i then decided to send it into Engadget, and was cool when it got posted, they were the first to notice that it had gotten removed. but i managed to salvage the images of it.

was really shocked to see it removed off gamespot, just adds to teh suspision. Great piece of kit though

[Sam @ Apr 8th 2007 5:26PM]

I'll just keep using the wireless Logitech keyboard I have hooked up to my 360 already.

[Nathan @ Apr 8th 2007 5:27PM]

They will have made this for the 360 Dashboard update on May 2nd - as it has msn capabilities, so you can chat while watching movies/playing games.

[Steven Jacobs @ Apr 8th 2007 5:27PM]

Awesome idea...but its fake. If it were a real, then the current xbox live headset would be able to plug into this. All it has is a headphone jack....its missing the two slots either side of the jack to work properly.

[ssuk @ Apr 8th 2007 5:44PM]

If MS had any ambition of launching an internet browser for the 360, they probably would have done 360 internet explorer 7 or something by now. Wouldn't have taken much, a bit of code alteration and maybe streamlining it to the dash board and that's it. I wonder why they haven't done this already though, there has to be a reason. =/

[smfrazz @ Apr 9th 2007 1:44AM]

Why does it have to be about MS wanting more money? DO they need it? No. If they only had a few peripherials all you PS Fanboys and MS haters would be bitching. Find something orginal to complain about, even if it is fake.

[roffelmeh @ Apr 8th 2007 5:57PM]

yes i want to pwn i up with my mx518

[imthedarkcyde @ Apr 8th 2007 5:58PM]

This should be great for MMOs like Age of Conan

[Jake @ Apr 8th 2007 6:09PM]

Something tells me that there is a disgruntled worker at Gamespot is getting fired as we speak.

[Peffer @ Apr 8th 2007 7:08PM]

What would be the need? they already have a converter that you can just plug your keyboard straight into. friggin pointless.

[Josef F @ Apr 8th 2007 7:55PM]

For those interested in a wireless keyboard to use with their 360, pick up a Gyration wireless keyboard and mouse combo. The receiver is USB and the keyboard is a pretty small profile. Gyration mouse doesn't do anything, but there you go. Makes sending a message a little easier.

[Wolfticket @ Apr 8th 2007 7:58PM]

I hope (assume?) this will work with a pc via crossfire. If so this would be sweet for a (my) media centre, for the odd bit'o typing I need to do when not gaming/listening/watching/etc.

[Penguin Warlord @ Apr 8th 2007 8:54PM]

SWeeeeet. I would definately buy this if they integrated messenger into the 360

[pimpdee976 @ Apr 8th 2007 9:02PM]

this is stupidest thing i ever seen in my life
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?55live

[Brad @ Apr 8th 2007 9:03PM]

does anyone know if you can hook up a usb keyboard. i want to try it but i can't yet

[fred @ Apr 8th 2007 9:18PM]

yes, you can.

[Nelson76 @ Apr 8th 2007 10:57PM]

This is awesome. A whole keyboard is way to big and just another device to have laying around. If you want a full keyboard and mouse then go use a computer. This attachment is for MSN messenging service that they are adding to Xbox live.

[remedy @ Apr 8th 2007 11:34PM]

Was this type of keyboard/gamepad seen on the Atari Jaguar or Sega Saturn in japan years ago?

[Michael @ Apr 9th 2007 1:05AM]

Will it work with my ColecoVision? ;-)

[whiskey @ Apr 9th 2007 3:20AM]

Forget about the XBOX 360, think about using this as the ultimate control for your htpc! (frets of fire anyone?)

[rob @ Apr 9th 2007 3:29PM]

Hi - just want to give you a heads up - blogsmithmedia and pr.atwola.com are playing havoc with your page load time. Its taking over 30 seconds to fully load and both those sites are shown loading in the status bar.

[Joe @ Apr 9th 2007 4:40PM]

Hahaha now maybe 360 games will use text chat (like PC games before voice).

[almulla.ahmad @ Apr 10th 2007 3:56PM]

kinda too small for typing.

[Jason @ Apr 11th 2007 2:41AM]

I had a really good read on this, very detail,
and very useful information.Thanks.

RM to Zune
http://www.rm-converter.net

[Scott The Juggernaut @ Apr 16th 2007 12:58AM]

Whats funny is how a few days ago I was just thinking about how great it'd be for the 360 to have instant message capabilties. And now they did it with this little device. But quick question, please someone get back to me. Will it work with AIM? Cause my girl keeps yelling at me to get on when I'm playing Halo 2. So will it be able to work with AIM?

[WizardEyes @ May 16th 2007 8:07PM]

Looks cool only it looks more like its part of the actual controller then an attachment so MS will prolly make us buy the actual controller itself with it apart of it insted of an attachment. as far as a mouse goes im good on that the control stick works good for me