The Wii Keyboard -- just exactly what the name suggests
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Jul 8th 2008 11:24AM
posted Jul 8th 2008 11:24AM
[Thanks, John]
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They should have called it the "Wiiboard".
"You should call it Dunder Mifflin-finity. You know, push the words together."
Haha, priceless.
'Wii Kiiboard' - would be equally bad!
Wiiji board would have been better!
rofl.
why can't they just make it like a normal keyboard?
You can already plug a normal USB keyboard into the Wii and it'll work just fine.
Wow, $30 so I don't have to write a 4-10 letter name with a Wiimote? If you pay me $30, I'll input your name for you!!
this would come in handy surfing with the web browser too though
People can say what they want about the Wii's digital keyboard, but it's a hell of a lot more intuitive than the PS3's keyboard- of course one can just purchase a real bluetooth keyboard for the PS3, which would be better than this blackberry-esque Wii-board...
You can use USB keyboards/mice on the PS3 too...
@hurricane
"of course one can just purchase a real bluetooth keyboard for the PS3"
I said that...
Wait, are you correcting me, saying you can use USB in addition to Bluetooth, or was I right and you just didn't see that I pointed out you can use third-party keyboards? I'm confused.
don't worry , its just a glitch in the matrix.
This looks like that keyboard pad attachment for the Dell x51 made by belkin.. in fact I think it is... O_O
http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/ae/d7/85/28575011-177x150-0-0_Belkin+SnapNType+Mini+Keyboard+for+Dell+Axim+X50+X.jpg
Belkin Pad for Axim
Copyright or conspiracy..........hmmmm
.....where the hell you attach the damn thing to?
They should have called it the Wii GeeBoard
the wii is taking over the world!
What are the function keys used for?
I haven't sent a message or browsed the web with my Wii in months, but can't recall any possible use for function keys.
useless.. i just plug in my old logitech usb wireless keyboard and i'm good to go..
I guess I could see FUTURE uses for this if the nintendo network allowed some type of chatting in games...but for now...utterly useless!
I use my Gyration wireless mini keyboard with my Wii and it works fine... If that works, any USB keyboard should work. Is this fugly one wireless, USB, or does it plug into the Wii Remote? Anyone know?
@looseinthedeuce - having a keyboard makes YouTubing (most of what I use my Wii for anymore) much more bearable... not just for inputting names.
It's a carbon copy of the Gameshark/Madcatz PS3/PC keyboard (linked above) which I have, and which is great.
If it behaves like that keyboard then the Wii version will have the following Pros:
1) it's wireless
2) small footprint, as it's a thumb keyboard measuring 4inches x 2inches (much smaller than a gyration)
3) it costs ~$30 (much less, by about ~$100, than a gyration).
4) battery life is roughly forever (charged 2x in 6mo with moderate use)
cons are it's not backlit.
someone was asking about the space key. It's in the usual spot doing dual function as backspace. backspace is activated by pressing the "symbol" key and then the space button. and yes the FN key is for the function keys, which are useful in an htpc setting.
On second thought i guess I could use it to type up lengthy engadget comments if I decide that browsing the web on wii is actually worth my time....
Better yet Wii-G-Board
Let's see... I'm gonna just type this email...
"Dear"
Wait a minute... uh where's the ******* spacebar???
I sure hope those arrow keys are activated by the SYMB key and not the FN key, otherwise that would be quite awkward!
I'm guessing the FN key is to access the Function "keys" (F1-F10) across the top.
Sheesh, 30 bucks seems a bit pricey. Still, I would probably get a lot of use out of this thing. Why couldn't they just shape it like a normal keyboard though? Seems like that would be awkward to type on.
1) Why use this over an el-cheapo wireless keyboard?
2) It IS useful, I actually chat on my Wii on occasion and I surf on it too
Where exactly does this connect?
Actually, you can't even use a USB keyboard with the Mii Channel. It mainly only works with the web browser.
...as a previous user pointed out: Why not just use a standard USB keyboard?
if USB keyboards really do work (I don't own either PS3 or Wii), I'm guessing that a lot will buy it simply based on branding and lack of knowledge about regular USB keyboards working.
Myself, I really dislike the keys and their colour (along with the text colour).
I'd buy it if it was wireless. I don't want a USB cable running across the room.
Oh c'mon Nintendo, this one is a no-brainer...the Kiiboard. I expect a portion of the sales for my brilliance, ahthankyou.
Putting the FUN back in the FUNction key.
Extra points to Engadget for use of the verb 'light-sabering'.
But yeah, can't really see too much demand for this little kiiboard.
Did Microsoft have a patent for attaching keyboard between gamepad grips? I hope some other companies would make one for PS3 like Xbox messenger kit.
And that looks same but color with PS3. But thumb keyboard is not so bad as it appears. Sometime it's more comfortable than regular ones because I don't need to set position to type.
I would really like a bluetooth keyboard that looks like a standard PC keyboard (with number pad off to the right) that works with the wii. I'm not interested in rubber buttons or chicklet-style keys. I want keys with plastic caps and at least 3mm of travel.
USE A REGULAR USB KEYBOARD! ARGH!!!
I would really like a bluetooth keyboard that looks like a standard PC keyboard (with number pad off to the right) that works with the wii. I'm not interested in rubber buttons or chicklet-style keys. I want keys with plastic caps and at least 3mm of travel.
To me this seems like something that falls in the same category as the Palm Foleo mini-laptop that they canceled last year because they decided there was no market for it... I don't see a big market for it, particularly if USB-based keyboards work just fine.
To me this seems like something that falls in the same category as the Palm Foleo mini-laptop that they canceled last year because they decided there was no market for it... I don't see a big market for it, particularly if USB-based keyboards work just fine.
A little too late I say...
YOU CAN USE A NORMAL USB KEYBOARD, GENIUSES
Why don't you people get it through your skulls?
People, People you're forgetting this is a causal gamer console. And my prediction is that it will sell like mad. Everyone is forgetting that all of us visiting this site probably jammed a USB keyboard into all our current gen boxes and found the work. Just look at the Wii Fit....
Since when do kids get QWERTY keyboards?
Suggested this on a forum about 2 years ago :)
But yeah, why not just go for a wireless USB keyboard? Most work since firmware update 3.3 anyway... at least, that's the newest version at the time of me writing this. I'm using a Logitech Wireless Desktop Lx710 to write this from my Wii now. Works fine!
This is the same keyboard available for the PS3. It's weird and kinda clunky (it requires a USB dongle).
What the hell is that? It looks like something Apple Shit out.