Xbox 360's QWERTY Chatpad gets price, release date

Amidst all the price slashing that's been going on of late, it's easy to forget about the minutiae, but those still keeping an ear to the ground for word on the Xbox 360's QWERTY thumboard can finally rejoice. Microsoft's Chatpad (as it's officially dubbed) will be part of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, which will also include a separate Xbox 360 headset. The two-piece bundle will run users a modest $29.99, which isn't appalling, but it is a tad unfair that a standalone unit (apparently) won't be offered at a lower price point for those who wish to sidestep the headset. Nevertheless, interested parties can mark September 4th down as the date to remember.

[Via Xbox360Fanboy]

[Drew @ Jul 10th 2007 4:31PM]

It's about time they release the chatpad. Hey, at least it's being released before summer is officially over!

[Big @ Jul 10th 2007 8:52PM]

FIRST OF ALL -
is there a way to make the XBOX 360 not automaticaly sign into MSN Messenger?
I couldn't figure out how to disable it (I don't think there was a disable feature) so I changed my password on the computer to block it from signing my PC off everytime the 360 connected to XBOX Live.

SECONDLY
I'm glad the chatpad has a reasonable price. I'll definately pick one up.

THIRDLY:

What good is the chatpad if all you can do is use a watered down version of MSN? You can't even see your contacts photo id's.

XBOX needs to have WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER with full capabilities. I should be able to download pics and other files direct to my HDD.

Furthermore, while were at it, lets get a web browser on the table.

[neal @ Jul 10th 2007 4:31PM]

first.. well im getting me one of those :D

[fred @ Jul 10th 2007 4:42PM]

HAHA So not first. You're kinda sad.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jul 10th 2007 4:35PM]

Now we have a keyboard, I wish they'd put a browser on the damn thing...

[timatl @ Jul 10th 2007 4:59PM]

agreed

[Zeus the God @ Jul 10th 2007 5:00PM]

No. You don't. A browser could only ruin a console. Leave it to the PCs that don't have firmware to have corrupted by viruses.

[birddog @ Jul 10th 2007 4:36PM]

wait you can't plug a keyboard into those usb ports??

[zlionsfan @ Jul 10th 2007 4:39PM]

A USB keyboard works fine with the 360, and you can get one cheaper than $30. (Of course, you'd miss out on the headset ...)

[ben f @ Jul 10th 2007 4:37PM]

or you could use a standard usb keyboard, like I have for the past year.

[The Aggie CEO™ @ Jul 10th 2007 4:37PM]

yea.........

now I dont have to use a Keyboard like on a computer............LMAO!!!

[Stepeh @ Jul 10th 2007 4:37PM]

The headset is because the old headset will not work with the chatpad attached.

[Stridery @ Jul 10th 2007 4:38PM]

yes you can add a keyboard. I have a *coughs*Mac*coughs* keyboard hooked into my 360 and it works fine. (not proud of the mac keyboard but its my only spare usb one... haha)

[nVidiot @ Jul 10th 2007 4:41PM]

I use my wireless keyboard on my 360. Just keep it under my coffee table and whip it out for messeging or entering text for any gaming needs and whatnot. A lot of people don't realize that standard wireless keyboards don't work on the 360.

This thing however would be more convenient in some ways, just harder to type on. If games supported mapping functions to this thing.. now THAT would be useful.

[Vidikron @ Jul 10th 2007 4:54PM]

That's the key. Normal keyboards work, but aren't always convenient for where consumers place their consoles. I plan to get one of these.

[nVidiot @ Jul 10th 2007 4:42PM]

Ugh.. I meant standard wireless keyboards DO work.. my brain is fried form work.

[Peter Carey @ Jul 10th 2007 4:57PM]

Umm, isn't September 25 already the date to remember?

[zach @ Jul 10th 2007 7:06PM]

yes halo oh baby who wants chocolate milk....CHOOOCOOOLATE MILKK

[Z @ Jul 10th 2007 5:00PM]

I really like the Chatpad, but that wireless earpiece looks like the most uncomfortable thing you could ever wear. How long could you wear it before your ear begins to ache? Ten, fifteen minutes?

I can't stand these earpieces that wrap around the ear. They should've made it much smaller and designed it to use an ear-spring like you see on Nextlink BT earpieces - that way, it would stay put and be much more comfortable - especially for long periods of time.

[Manuel @ Jul 10th 2007 5:20PM]

it is light and comfortable, i sometimes forget i am wearing the wireless and find myself walking with this without notice.

[jmp @ Jul 10th 2007 5:04PM]

I hope they are going to make it available in black for Elite owners...that would be cool.

[WhackMushroom @ Jul 10th 2007 5:06PM]

wow they were serious about this thing then ... cool .. yeah ...








ugly baby.

[andy @ Jul 10th 2007 5:06PM]

What I want is the controller with the speakerphone and keyboard built in.

Why all the add ons?

[Sneak @ Jul 10th 2007 5:17PM]

This is great. $30 is reasonable - but they should bundle it with a wireless controller for like $65. And for as much as I hate to admit it, this is a really innovative, elegantly designed product. If it works as well as it looks like it does, my hat's off to Microsoft on this one.

[DeadPlasmaCell @ Jul 10th 2007 5:30PM]

Amen.. $30 is a great price for what you're getting, I would have paid $30 for the chatpad alone. Sure you can do the wireless keyboard thing, but it's clunky and takes you out of the game by having to put the controller down, type your stuff, grab the controller and start back up again, but with this your hands never leave the controller.

[Lord HowitHurtz @ Jul 10th 2007 5:27PM]

I think I'll stick to using one of the 4 usb keyboards i already own. Sure they have a cord, but how often do people text? Almost every message I've received over live has been voice communications.

[VedicHymn @ Jul 10th 2007 5:37PM]

It's bundled with a headset because the jack at the bottom of the keyboard isn't the standard Xbox 360 headset jack.

They've said this plenty of times.

[spookshow @ Jul 10th 2007 5:45PM]

finally, i am sick of having my keyboard sitting right under my media center's keyboard... only need one. too much overkill. plus i need a usb extension cable just to reach where i sit for the keyboard (too many wireless devices in the room means too much interferance to add another wireless kb in the room)
this means i will be one of the ones that will buying this.
i think it is a perfect addon

[Sam @ Jul 10th 2007 6:03PM]

I'll get it and I think its a good deal. And I can permanently move my wireless keyboard over to my new PS3.

[Twist @ Jul 10th 2007 6:19PM]

I can't stand the standard headset's dongle thing that plugs into the 360 controller so I know this thing will probably bug the hell out of me as well. I wouldn't mind having something like it that didn't attach to the controller though.

[Gizzer @ Jul 10th 2007 6:23PM]

....Am I the only one that thinks that Microsoft could herald a whole new era of gaming with this keypad?

You could finally play games like World of Warcraft with this thing: Just think - standard XBox voice comms for team chat and raiding, then a fully functional (although small) keyboard for text chat plus the multiple keys required to play a proper MMORG. ...Not all of us want a fully blown PC to play these things.....

[Adan Galvan @ Jul 10th 2007 6:56PM]

Gizzer, good point. With that many extra keys you could do mmorpgs, real-time strategy, etc. Let me the good times role!

The only down side is that many will say the added complexity is bad for gaming. I for one welcome the possibilities!

[karmaghost @ Jul 10th 2007 7:07PM]

"but it is a tad unfair that a standalone unit (apparently) won't be offered at a lower price point for those who wish to sidestep the headset"

You wouldn't want to sidestep the headset as the one that comes with the 360 won't work with the chatpad.

[JWolf @ Jul 10th 2007 7:47PM]

Is the headset the same as the wired one that is currently available only with a different connector to be compatible with the chatpad? I don't see any pix of the headset anywhere...

[shakeboy2k @ Jul 10th 2007 7:57PM]

If this works in Windows I'm so getting one for my HTPC.

[shakeboy2k @ Jul 10th 2007 7:58PM]

Awww, man...it connects to the controller? Nevermind I guess.

[birddog @ Jul 10th 2007 7:58PM]

just checking.

[Big @ Jul 10th 2007 8:58PM]

I have the WIRELESS HEADSET cause I got sick of the cord always ripping out. What I am interested in is knowing why the hell they didn't include a pass through headset jack. Doesn't make any goddamned sense.

[Big @ Jul 10th 2007 9:07PM]

if the Chatpad had Keypad overlays, you could use the keypad like back in the days of ATARI JAGUAR.

A different keypad button for a different function. That would make the MMORPG fans very happy.

[Penguin Warlord @ Jul 10th 2007 10:20PM]

Microsoft still hasn't adressed the issue of not being able to use messenger if you have A Windows Child Account. Even if you've since passed the ripe old age of 18 you can't use it. If I could use msn on my 360 than I would definately buy this.