Whoa -- DiNovo Mini has a hidden PS3 compatibility switch

We actually didn't catch this when we toyed around with Logitech's DiNovo Mini the other night, but the eagle-eyed team from Engadget Chinese just pointed out that there's a switch inside that allows you to select between PC and PS3 modes. We're not 100 percent on what it switches around -- it's Bluetooth either way, after all -- but we're assuming some of the function keys get remapped. Pretty hot -- and definitely less dorky than the useful-but-ridiculous 360 Chatpad.

[Eric @ Jan 7th 2008 2:45PM]

What's wrong with the 360 Chatpad exactly? Seems ot be a pretty good piece of hardware from where I'm sitting. Adds functionality, doesn't get in the way, and doesn't require a whole new device.

[Jon Graft @ Jan 7th 2008 2:48PM]

The fact that it is a Microsoft product makes it fail. :-P

[ScreamingSkull @ Jan 7th 2008 3:04PM]

Yeah I didn't get that either.. I guess if you're just going to sit around and text chat with other people using a ps3 then it's a good thing? I like my chatpad because it's integrated pretty nicely into my black controller and I don't have to search around for anything else, I can send texts and keep on playing in no time.

[Don @ Jan 7th 2008 5:55PM]

I love the chatpad, personally - I am hoping that they will expand it to game use, so that RTS games and flight sims can be made for real on the 360. I am hoping for an Ace Combat 6-engined flightsim w/o the "Dance with the Angels" storyline.

[Itsuru @ Jan 7th 2008 2:47PM]

I used to think everytime I saw a keyboard or mouse with a PS/2 connector that Sony had branched out into strange and unnecessary accessories. I won't fall for it again.

[StrangeBum @ Jan 7th 2008 3:03PM]

Haha..I was thinking the same thing. Of course, that was back in my younger years, before I understood what PS/2 actually was. I now, know what the difference is, but that was the first thing I thought of when I saw that picture too. Hah.

[h0mi @ Jan 7th 2008 3:02PM]

"and definitely less dorky than the absurd-but-ridiculous 360 Chatpad"

For $120 more, it better be.

[Bazza @ Jan 7th 2008 3:05PM]

Thats not a fair comment on the 360 chatpad. Its not a third party solution like the dinovo, at least xbox have an integrated first party solution.

If a third party made something similar for the 360, OF COURSE they would but more aesthetics into it. Would it be better if there wasnt a first party solution like the chatpad at all?

You can always use a wireless keyboard, mine works fine.

[stickmanfc73_ @ Jan 7th 2008 3:08PM]

Just the usual hate. I expect more from blog sites like these but I guess I shouldn't.

This news of this 'hidden' switch is old as the first time this a story about the Mini was posted. In the read link there is a video of the device and the woman previewing it flips it over and hits the switch. Geez you guys suck.

[Organic_Shadow @ Jan 7th 2008 3:09PM]

No dongle
or
No buy

END OF STORY

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Jan 20th 2008 1:23AM]

The dongle is for people without built-in bluetooth. Otherwise it will automatically pair up sans dongle.

[Rk @ Jan 7th 2008 3:17PM]

Now I've never had a problem with Engadget posts, I've always seen the value. However this ridiculous blogger cannot justify taking a random jab at the 360 Chatpad, just because his beloved PS3 doesn't allow for a first party solution to talking to his full 2 friends. I'm sorry that was below the belt, but seriously, that was NOT objective journalism. This device looks totally unneccesary.

[ScooterDe @ Jan 7th 2008 5:32PM]

Agreed. Methinks Nilay did not get his choice under the xmas tree from Engadget's own Holiday Gift Guide for Him (or just plain didn't read his employer's article):

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/24/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-for-him/

[Tid @ Jan 7th 2008 3:29PM]

"absurd-but-ridiculous"

Not only is Mr Patel more than a little biassed, he also thinks absurd and ridiculous mean different things?

[YETI @ Jan 7th 2008 3:50PM]

BTW Tid

Absurd and ridiculous do mean different things Einstein.

[Major Malfunction @ Jan 8th 2008 8:53PM]

YETI...

They are synonyms, so they mean the same, or nearly the same. But lets not belabor the issue. Einstein.

[Tid @ Jan 7th 2008 4:09PM]

Hardly different enough to make that phrase sensible

[moo083 @ Jan 7th 2008 4:11PM]

My guess on that switch, is that the keyboard is actually two bluetooth devices, so you can have the keyboard paired with a PC and a PS3 and not have it use both at the same time. So when you flip that switch, you turn the PC bluetooth reciever on and the PS3 bluetooth reciever off, or vice versa. Which is great for people like me who have both hooked into their TVs.

[pop @ Jan 7th 2008 4:33PM]

This is old news ... you can even read the deets on the Logitech site as of 36 hrs ago ...

[wolvergram @ Jan 7th 2008 5:09PM]

moo083, lets hope your right about the pc/ps3 bluetooth switch. nothing sucks worse than pairing keyboards between 2 systems constantly. I also hope the d-pad on this thing is functional enough to not have to grab the sixaxis for navigation.

[Neebs @ Jan 7th 2008 4:51PM]

"absurd-but-ridiculous"

Don't those mean the same?

[Jagster @ Jan 7th 2008 9:37PM]

"and definitely less dorky than the absurd-but-ridiculous 360 Chatpad"

Is it just me or does anyone else here think the 360 Chatpad is much better designed and looks like it provides is purpose in a very ergonomic and streamlined fashion. It sure beats having to put down the controller to pick up another devide to type with; that is what I would call ridiculous. Sounds like the blogger has on major bias glasses on.

[mrklaw @ Jan 8th 2008 6:35AM]

why the hate for the comments? This isn't designed as a 'chatpad' which is all the 360 one does. This is IMO more usable as the PS3 has a web browser, so here you have a mini keyboard + mouse for sofa browsing.