Xbox 360 QWERTY thumb keyboard is official

The years old rumors of a QWERTY Xbox controller are true. Microsoft is finally launching a QWERTY thumb keyboard for the Xbox 360, a welcome addition for those of us who don't want yet another keyboard sitting around in our living room. Unfortunately, this officially marks the point where the Xbox 360 just has too freaking many peripherals, and starts to look a bit like it's grubbing. Still, if you want to use the Dashboard's new chat features you'll probably want to snap one of these up right quick. The details you need to know:

• The thumb keyboard plugs into the headphone / data jack on the bottom of the controller. It comes bundled with its own headset, since it doesn't pass the signal through, and cannot work with current peripherals.
• The keyboard is backlit; the chat bubble icon in the photos will be an MSN icon.
• It will be released in the summer. No word on how much, though.
• We got a chance to check it out. The tactility is nice, but it's a bit heavy with all the rest of the weight of the 360 controller.

Gallery: Xbox 360 QWERTY thumb keyboard is official

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[Andy @ Apr 11th 2007 10:56PM]

Sweet, now bring on the internet browser...

[kerunt @ Apr 9th 2007 12:06AM]

Cool stuff, render looks great, too! I hope it's not too big or too expensive...

[Mat @ Apr 9th 2007 12:09AM]

Can you say Sega?

[kingofwale @ Apr 9th 2007 12:13AM]

another handset? man, microsoft is really pushing hard for more money.

how much will this come out for? 79? 89? dollars? Geez

[technabob @ Apr 9th 2007 8:48AM]

Here's Microsoft's official announcement....
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0408-im.htm

[Dragod @ Apr 9th 2007 12:27AM]

I wouldn't pay any more than $25 for this, if at all...

[tiuk @ Apr 9th 2007 12:32AM]

I'd much rather get a small wireless keyboard (they work with the 360).

[kerunt @ Apr 9th 2007 12:35AM]

Can a regular keyboard+mouse combo be used with the 360? I don't own any console (and never did), but would consider a 360 if I could use a regular keyboard and mouse. I don't dig the controllers/joysticks...

[andrew @ Apr 9th 2007 1:16AM]

usb keyboard works for messenger and dashboard stuff, but no key and mouse support in games (yet)

[kerunt @ Apr 9th 2007 1:47AM]

Thanks for the info. Too bad there's no in-game support :(.

[Bob @ Apr 10th 2007 7:31AM]

you can get more technicail details in the following link
http://www.mobilephones-info.com/xbox360/xBOx-360-reviews.htm

[Jypson @ Apr 9th 2007 12:35AM]

None for me, but I can imagine it would come in handy for some.

[kingofwale @ Apr 9th 2007 12:37AM]

>Can a regular keyboard+mouse combo be used with the 360?


you mean while playing first person shooter games?? no, xbox can't do that.

I've heard stories that PS3 can, but I haven't tried it on mine yet.

[Jay @ Apr 9th 2007 12:44AM]

Great this white keyboard is gonna look great with the Black Elite Controller right next to the white HD-DVD add on.

/sarcasm

[BloodFalcon @ Apr 9th 2007 12:54AM]

That keyboard has got to be for nothing more than chat cause it would be hard as hell to play a game with it at the bottom of the grip. So, that makes me why they bothered to include a mic jack in it. Is it for internet chat?

If the keyboard is just for chat then it is damn near useless unless you are too bothered to simply fire up your PC for chatting.

The 360 controller looks like the atari Jaguar controller with that thing on it.
http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/jaguar.jpg

Like connecting a Sidekick 2 to it or somethin.

[tome711 @ Apr 9th 2007 12:56AM]

Thats so cool.

[Tom @ Apr 9th 2007 1:03AM]

You can plug in ANY USB keyboard (wired, RF, Bluetooth, etc.) into the Xbox 360's USB port and it will work for typing messages. This comes in handy for games that support it, such as "Phantasy Star Universe" and "Final Fantasy XI".

[Alex @ Apr 9th 2007 1:08AM]

Atari Jaguar controller?

[LlamaChili @ Apr 9th 2007 1:24AM]

@3: It plugs into the current controller. I'd really really doubt it will cost an arm and a leg, and while I'm sure they're not losing any money on it, it won't be a money grab because you won't need it for games.

@10: I don't think it'll get that much in the way. Holding a 360 controller in my hands, my fingers don't really wrap around all the way, so they'd probably just barely hit the back of this. We'll have to see when it comes out however.

@author: "Unfortunately, this officially marks the point where the Xbox 360 just has too freaking many peripherals, and starts to look a bit like it's grubbing"??? As far as I can tell, every single peripheral that Microsoft makes, including this one, has been hotly requested by the community, including Engadget and partner sites Joystiq and Xbox 360 Fanboy. It would be grubbing if all of them were required to play something, but with the exception of TotemBall, is there any game that requires anything other than a controller (wired or wireless) and either a HD or MU? I think it's like J said way back at E3 '05... it's all about choice, right? If you want your 360 to just be a game system, it is, but if you want to make it your living-room hub and have everything connected wirelessly, you can too...

[Eric Pham @ Apr 9th 2007 1:27AM]

Sorry that thing is dumb, my usb keyboard works just fine for talkin smack.

[John VerSteeg @ Apr 9th 2007 1:36AM]

Suppose it will work with the Wireless 360 USB Receiver in Windows?

[Richard @ Apr 9th 2007 1:42AM]

I can't wait for this! Not having to keep a regular keyboard by my recliner will save a lot of space. Hopefully it's cheap though.

[Pat @ Apr 9th 2007 2:36AM]

It just needs a food tray on the side with a drink holder/cooler on the other. Possibly a (small) microwave on the front for the Hotpocket's?

[srw985 @ Apr 9th 2007 6:33AM]

i wont buy this, when I can already use any old USB keyboard ive got lying round with my 360

[hawk @ Apr 9th 2007 6:50AM]

yesterday, it was all, "oh, that's a photoshop!"

STB anyone who said that. :)

[Anthony Kuske @ Apr 9th 2007 7:05AM]

But does it play DivX

[Flying? @ Apr 9th 2007 7:10AM]

I think it's awesome for Web browsing or chating (MSN, Skype, etc.) on TV (HTPC)... if the analog stick can be used as a pointing device, and if the controller works with windows !

[John @ Apr 9th 2007 8:12AM]

I hope this doesn't suck the life out of our wireless controllers batteries, I have enough trouble getting my headset to work in some games. Though this will save a ton of time when migrating live accounts at friends houses..

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Apr 9th 2007 8:29AM]

That's looks terrible. Release of such controller when population is demanding for dedicated FPS controller (a-la WiiMote). Especially since Xbox360 is best know for its shooters - not writing features...

But on other side, it is also might hint that MSFT is open to ideas and innovations for its Xbox360. That makes chances for dedicated FPS controller even bigger than before.

[DANIEL @ Apr 9th 2007 6:48PM]

Is it going to come in black ????

[arman @ Apr 9th 2007 9:55AM]

Anyone else notice the new support for H.264 video and MPEG-4 Part 2 video support.

[Mike @ Apr 9th 2007 9:57AM]

Can I hook this on to my X-Plorer controller? It's impossible to write a txt message with the guitar!

[Nick @ Apr 9th 2007 10:30AM]

those of you complaining about the gameplay while its really heavy and might get in the way, didn;t they say it attaches to the controller through the headphone jack? Clearly that means you can connect and disconnect which will allow for smooth gameplay. However I think it will be a bitch to type but ultimately a good decision by microsoft to try and compete with ps3. However we all know that ps3 because of its wireless bluetooth capabilities has much better future. Can someone PLEASE tell me, why they are willing to sell an hddvd drive seperate but wont sell a 360 with the drive already in it?!?! Does not make sense to me, unless microsoft knows something we dont. In which case, hd --- might join with bluray? combo drive? .... orrrr just a switch to bluray--- either way i cant buy an elite and like a guy above me said have a white controller and white external... THATS DUMB!

[Frosty @ Apr 9th 2007 10:29AM]

That looks, put simply, dumb.

How awkward is a controller already without having that giant thing in your hands...

[Gadget Chick @ Apr 9th 2007 11:22AM]

perfect, im planning on getting a 360 for the summer so this will be cool...hopefully it wont cost more than $30.

[James @ Apr 9th 2007 12:05PM]

I'd say this is probably targetted at the early-teen FPS demographic -- they're not twenty-something geeks like myself who have half a dozen USB keyboards just lying around, and if it comes down to buying a tethered USB 'board or this gadget (for, one hopes, about the same price), the tiny wireless gizmo will win every time. A good move on MS's part -- but not one I'll plan on picking up any time soon.

[oeoirico @ Apr 9th 2007 3:00PM]

I like the idea but I don't like the design. It's set too high up and looks like it would be hell to contort your thumbs to use it. The keys should be more ergonomically angled so that you can't accidentally kit keys (like the enter button) with the pads of your hands while typing.

[Kyle @ Apr 9th 2007 6:09PM]

This is a really cool product, im highly interested in it, but does anybody out there know if it will come in black to match the xbox 360 elite?

[TimD @ Apr 9th 2007 10:41PM]

Well, if the rumors are true that Age of Conan will be cross-platform capable, this would be one way of giving XB360 players the ability to communicate via text with players on PCs.

[ryanworrell @ Apr 10th 2007 8:57AM]

Those complaining about this, saying you can plug any keyboard in and use that. I for one like this. I have a HTPC in my living room as well with a wireless keyboard and mouse, not to mention MCE remote, TV remote, AV Receiver remote, and rf fan/light remote. My coffee table is begging for room as it is.

[NovaLand @ Apr 10th 2007 12:24PM]

Once again: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/03/25

[barturtle @ Apr 14th 2007 4:47AM]

Okay, so it's not the most comfortable looking device, but if it will work with PCs for FSX, I'm sold.

[barturtle @ Apr 14th 2007 4:43AM]

Okay, make it work with PCs for PSX and I'm sold

[Another_Andreas @ Apr 21st 2007 11:21AM]

I realize it's a bit late to add my two cents, but jumping back to the question about keyboard and mouse support for the 360, well, I hate to burst bubbles, heh, actually, I like bursting bubbles. Take a gander at this:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/xcm-xfps-xbox-360-keyboardmouse-adapter-in-action-223963.php

[Mark @ May 12th 2007 8:33PM]

Thank you LlamaChili for clarifying that with the other ppl talking down about this. It is a great idea for a peripheral and I feverently hope it gets made and marketed. I could seriously use smth like this!