Xbox 360's QWERTY thumboard in the wild

If you're one of the few large-handed gamers out there still pining for the bulk-tastic days of the original Xbox controller, then you're sure to have a great time with Microsoft's new "Text Input Device" QWERTY thumb keyboard add-on. The bulk of the TID is all at the base, so it shouldn't be a deal breaker for the small handed, but we'll have to get this in hand to know just how ergonomic it's going to be to type with. An anonymous tipster, who spotted this before it went official, had these encouraging words to say: "The thumboard beats the hell out of the one on my BlackJack, and once they let me play with it I didn't want to put it down." We wouldn't really say TID vs. BlackJack is the ultimate comparison, but it at least sounds like the tipster had a good time. A flickr set from Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog has some solid shots of the TID, which you can find at that fancy little read link below.

[Via Gamerscore Blog]

[DEEZNUTZ @ Apr 9th 2007 3:45PM]

Let the carpel tunnel begin!

[Todd @ Apr 9th 2007 3:48PM]

"...A flickr set from Microsoft [ employee's ] Gamerscore Blog has some solid shots of the TID..."

Say wha? Why are Microsoft employees using Flickr? Shouldn't they be using live.com or MSN homepage?

[D. A. @ Apr 9th 2007 4:18PM]

Now that we have a keyboard, CAN YOU PLEASE ADD AN INTERNET BROWSER! How difficult that would be for MS, since they have 90% of the browser market, but we still need to buy a PS3 or Wii if you want that feature... This could be an optional add-on feature, since I understand some people don't want this feature, but others like myself are LOOKING FORWARD to it, and even considering buying another console for that feature alone...

[Bob @ Apr 9th 2007 4:31PM]

"An anonymous tipster, who spotted this before it went official, had these encouraging words to say: "The thumboard beats the hell out of the one on my BlackJack, and once they let me play with it I didn't want to put it down." "

I had no idea that Peter Moore used a BlackJack! :-)

[Kevo @ Apr 9th 2007 4:32PM]

I don't like the web browser on my Wii or PSP or the PS3. I really didn't even like using IE6 when my PC was hooked up to my 56" HDTV (720p). I was excited about the prospect of internet from the couch, but am now beginning to think that browsers stink on any display that you sit more than 3 feet from. I bet Microsoft has looked into adding a browser but keeps coming to the same conclusion.

I'm going to stick with having the laptop right next to me. I am excited about the update because that laptop is usually open for messenger and now I don't need that!

So to Microsoft, add a browser or don't, I don't care; but I bet if you do decide to offer IE7, people will moan that it's no good.

[chadow @ Apr 9th 2007 5:05PM]

Hmmm.....I have a 58 inch 1080p display and browsers are easy to use and read from across the room on the couch. On my old 52 inch 1080i (540p) max display it was a diffferent story. I think resolution is everything when it comes to usable text when using a TV for a PC/game console monitor. I think as the switch to greater resolution in TV's goes on, it will only become MORE important to consumers to merge PC/game consoles and TV.

As long as the console can put out a good compatible resolution, the browser will be a great addition. I know I want Microsoft to wise up and add it.

[moma @ Apr 9th 2007 4:54PM]

What is this for? Seriously. I don't have an xbox.

[elan @ Apr 9th 2007 5:04PM]

I'm not an Xbox owner, but I'd really like to use one of these things on my PC. I know the Xbox controller is(sort of)compatible with Windows through USB, but is the keyboard attachment usable in Windows as well?

Also, the pre-release rendered shots appeared to use rubber for the keys instead of plastic. They both have their trade offs, but I think rubber would have been the better bet.

[Ben Hobbs @ Apr 10th 2007 2:25AM]

1080i is the same resolution as 1080p, i.e 1920x1080

[zachary.tunstall @ Apr 9th 2007 5:19PM]

A browser would make this much more useful.

[James @ Apr 9th 2007 5:54PM]

The spring update is going to tie into Messenger (I think?) and so the idea is that it will be both easier and more common to write text messages. Obviously, using the on-screen keyboard is utter crap for anything more than about 10 letters, so they needed an alternative.

As for browsing on a TV -- I have my PC hooked up at 720p as well, and I quite like it. I always switch to fullscreen mode on the browser, and usually up the text size by a point or two, but it's perfectly serviceable for checking your email or even reading Engadget.

[3rdsun @ Apr 9th 2007 6:09PM]

I thought Engadget team head Ryan Block got a hands on with the TID. He even said it felt a bit heavy. How come Paul is reporting they need to test it.

[WorldCTZen @ Apr 9th 2007 7:23PM]

So, one of the "official" reasons given for Warcrack not being ported to the 360 was the lack of keyboard input for chatting and accessing all the action bars. Um.. Wonder what this does to that "it'll never happen" reason... Kinda opens the door for lots of player-interactive games (like MMO's) where voice chat with everyone else playing is impractical. Hmmmm.. and there's that handy chat bubble button on there, too.. hmmmm.

[KC @ Apr 9th 2007 7:36PM]

Wouldn't a full sized qwerty keyboard be better for an MMO? I can't imagine trying to type ALT-1, ALT-0, etc.

[Squirrels @ Apr 9th 2007 7:54PM]

As one who has large hands and loved the original Duke controller, I don't feel like this in any way is bringing back the feel of the original controller. The "Duke," as it is lovelingly called, was excellent for the large-handed gamer because of the size of each hand...extension? What exactly is that called? Either way, the thickness of the controller and the distance of the joysticks and keypad was excellent for those with long fingers.

However, this little attachment looks horrendous ergonomically...how on earth are one's thumbs supposed to reach down and inwards when the joysticks and buttons are located a sizeable distance northwards? It seems like the new qwerty attachment will be generating a little of its own "nintendo thumb" from the old days...

[Big @ Apr 9th 2007 8:36PM]

I have large hands and I hated the "DUKE". I perffered the S controller because it felt much more refined and easier to deal with.

"The DUKE" ran the black and white buttons, way to high up and it was simply too large.

The S controller is like playing with a PS2 controller that is slightly heavier and has an easier to use LEFT analog knob.

I am so glad the 360 controller copied most of the S's design and came out a bit smaller cause it feels great even after a few hours of play.

[Kyle @ Apr 9th 2007 11:01PM]

I have a mixed feeling about browsers on large screen tv's... My living room has a 65 inch T.V. which uses 1080i (it's a bit old) from my ps3, and personally I have had a wonderful experience browsing online, since the latest firmare revision. The browser is well designed, and has a zoom feature which makes it possible to read text, make youtube videos fullscreen, etc. BTW, youtube videos generally look suprisingly good, as good as SD television, even on such a large screen.

[n4cer @ Apr 9th 2007 11:52PM]

If you use your Xbox 360 as an MCE extender, you may be able to browse the web w/ this addon.

http://www.anpark.com/software.aspx

[Nick @ Apr 10th 2007 12:22AM]

Well I've got to say that my 76" 1080p HDTV displays text just perfectly. oh wait.. I don't actually have a tv to those specs... but it was pretty cool to pretend and brag in front of all of the other tech geeks.

[moma @ Apr 10th 2007 1:18AM]

Why rank my comment low? I am asking you what you use this for. Do I have to go and buy an xbox to find out?

Never ceases to amaze me how rude and arrogant bloggers are.

[Dustin @ Apr 10th 2007 1:48AM]

moma, it's a keyboard for xbox 360

you couldn't figure that out?

[zoara @ Apr 10th 2007 7:52AM]

Dustin, moma didn't ask what it was, they asked what it was for. Different question, and perfectly reasonable at that (moma isn't the only one who can't understand the marking down of the comment).

I'm in the same boat as Moma - I don't have an Xbox and I can't understand what it is for, either. Seriously. Why do you need to type while playing games? No other console I have played has felt hindered by the lack of a keyboard.

It seems from the comments that this is intended for text chat during games, and for IM. Is that all it's for? Seems to me like not such a big market for such a device.

[Dustin @ Apr 11th 2007 10:41AM]

If you are a user or video game consoles (and if you aren't, why bother commenting?) then you would have an idea when something like this would be used.

Also, take the time to note that there are other consoles with keyboards. PS1/2/3, Dreamcast, Gamecube, etc. have keyboards with arguably less functionality than this will. But they still sold as well.

[sgraphics @ Apr 10th 2007 2:49AM]

I think it's a little miracle.

[Mike Botros @ Apr 10th 2007 3:54AM]

As far as the browser goes, for now I'm happy that they don't have one. I don't want an entry point for possible xbox360 viruses. However likely it would be.

[Tony C @ Apr 10th 2007 7:38AM]

Umm... The BlackJack's QWERTY thumb board SUCKS, so most any other would be better. The buttons are too tiny and cramped close together. The only thing I like about the BJ is some of its key layouts, like period and comma, which are on native keys instead of having to shift like the BlackBerry.

Now if someone says that it's close to, on par with, or better than a "full" size BlackBerry keyboard (no SureType for me, please!) -- the gold standard -- *then* maybe I'll think it's good.

[bob @ Apr 10th 2007 4:16PM]

well the xbox 360 does have a 10 million + installed user base. microsoft would probably make a few quid profit on each one sold ..thats a hefty amount of cash.
i used to have a 360 and typing in anything like a chat message was extremely time consuming with the controller . now I think even messenger is usable through xbox live so this device makes perfect sense .
however I will wait till they make the console less noisy before i purchase another one.

[Nick R @ Apr 10th 2007 8:37AM]

reminds me of the atari jaguar... only this is a lot smoother.