Sony intros wireless keypad attachment for the PS3
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Aug 20th 2008 12:14PM
posted Aug 20th 2008 12:14PM
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Just like the Xbox... But better.
How is it better? This is located on top of the controller, not at the bottom, like the 360's.
It's the same exact thing, except it's got a crappy layout.
I have the xbox 'chatpad', and while it looks dorky, it is great. It isn't in the way at all, is securely attached, and makes 'typing' much much less frustrating.
I can't picture how this one will mount to the controller. I didn't click the link (game stuff blocked at work), but I'd like to see how this mounts to the controller before getting too happy about it.
You can tell just by looking at it that it will clip onto the face of the controller itself, thats why it has cutouts for the thumbsticks and Select and Start buttons.
However, I don't know how reaching _over_ the thumbsticks and buttons to type on it would fare.
its not like you guys could make a better one.
Actually, Hello, I could. I just need to ask Sony for some funding, and I'll have a keypad that's 10,002.56 times better.
This add-on basically reminds me why I dont like PS2/3. Controller is too small. 360's controller feels so much better. The Chatpad on the 360 comes in handy every now and then but I can't play my games with it installed all the time cause its bulky. When I pick up my PS3 I'll get this too.
Hello: Why does someone have to be able to do something in order to judge it. Do I have to like every movie I see just because I've never made one? I probably could design a better one anyway, mine would sit at the bottom of the controller so, you know, your thumbs could reach it.
Here's a start at a better one: How about a bit of forethought on the design of a controller, with the port in an accessible location? Or how about making a PSP that doesn't suck, and using its touchscreen as a keyboard for the ps3 (would bring the number of uses for a psp up to 1)? Or an iphone app that you can use as a keyboard for the PS3 (or any number of other devices)?
I can see that it will 'clip on' the face, as you say, but the large round circular things confuse me. And if it IS on top, which it must be, in order to not block the triggers it would have to stick out, up off the surface... My comment about seeing it mounted on there is more to see how it functions while attached (as well as the rest of the controller that it is latching itself onto), not just to see how it attached.
I agree with LiqwidZero, the 360's has a better layout. I guess I am a bit biased, but I played PS2 WAAAAAY before I ever saw an Xbox, and I honestly can say that as soon as I picked up the Xbox's controller I liked it better. Just the layout is so much nicer. I love the 360 controller, and hate the dualshock, just because of the thumbstick layout. Also, like I said before, the whole keyboard ABOVE the controller seems like it will feel really unnatural, reaching up instead of just moving your thumbs down a little to a keyboard RIGHT BELOW the analog sticks....but maybe that's just me.
Yeah I'm sorry but this is pretty fugly looking..
With the way it's secured it looks like it'd break off too. :P
YES!! just what i need! thank you sony!
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/08/ps3-keypad-1.jpg
@misha:
Thanks for the link. Unit looks like it does not interfere with the shoulder buttons. Can't wait for a review.
Yeah this keyboard looks really cool. I hope the weight distribution will make the controller easy to handle, but I'm sure those Sony engineers already thought ahead. I'll be getting one of these.
that's.... not right.
Shouldn't it go on the bottom?
Just a little tidbit I found on the playstation blog...
"[The Wireless Keypad] comes with some cool features, including a mode that turns the main key area into a touch pad (similar to a touch pad on a Laptop computer). Once in this mode, you can slide your finger on this area to move the cursor on the screen and tap to enter."
Just figured you all would want to know what makes this more interesting than a simple Xbox 360 Keypad.
(Note: I said "more interesting" NOT "better"! I will make my judgement after the product is released.)
Wow,how are you suppose typ using that thing? one finger at a time? come on sony,you can do better design like that!
Looks Like Crap!
Yeah, that's how it works. It's called thumb typing.
You're dumb.
That's not for thumb typing. If it was it would be near the thumbsticks.
It's like putting the keyboard above the screen on a Blackberry.
Yes, it is for thumb typing. Just grab you controller (assuming you're not talking from you ass, and do not have one) and examine the picture and where are your fingers on the controller.
Cmo'n man, think a little. it doesn't hurt.
If you have to move your hands first then it defeats the point of ergonomic ease of use. If I hold my laptop in a different way than under normal use I can type with my thumbs on that as well.
As I said it's like placing a keyboard above the screen on a Blackberry. You can still type with your thumbs it's just a dumb idea.
And that doesn't take into account that if you have to move your hands to grip the keyboard to type on with your thumbs, your fingers will be all bunched up against the L1 and R1 buttons underneath.
That is really cool! I want one! ahhhhhhhh lol -orgasms- >_>
They forgot to mention it's EU only for now
This one looks better than the 360's. I hope Sony doesn't decide to charge an arm and a leg for this. $20 is the most they'd get out of me for that.
Most plug in thumboards for PDA's for 30-40. This one is wireless, so Sony could easily get away with 50-60.
You gotta be kidding me. So you have to reach OVER the dual analog sticks to reach the keys?
My guess from the dimensions is that the top of the sticks are almost flush to a 1/4 inch higher? A picture with it on the controller would be helpful ;^/
Yeah, this is kinda stupidly designed. I have both the 360 and PS3 and I would take the 360 chatpad over this. Although, the trackpad capability is quite nice.
I don't have a PS3 yet (holding out till a slimmer PSthree is released I hope), but this looks like it would be pretty useful.
I have played on friends PS3, and typing things in sucks.
SOLD!! Hopefully ColorwarePC will jazz this up as well...
sweet.......
this damn sure is better than the Madcatz shit that came out earlier this year......
I hope its no more than $30......
sayian...
sweet.......
this damn sure is better than the Madcatz shit that came out earlier this year......
I hope its no more than $30......
super saiyan 2
CccccccCCCcCcCcOMBO BREAKER!!! lol :P
wow that doesn't look cumbersome.
We can use it for all the RPG games that the PS3 doesn't have.
We know, Aggie. We know.
Top heavy controllers FTL.
WOW! Now for those of you putting another operating system on your PS3, well this comes in handy for ya.
why does it have to be so small? something that goes in your shirt pocket should be for thumb typing, somthing that you will just throw on the side of the couch when finished might as well be full size.
I don't think it would work for installation - unless they have some pass through thing, that keypad takes up the USB port on the controller, so the only way you could connect would be bluetooth, which is very unlikely to be working during your installation.
wow I'm out of time. My 360 rrod'ed so I stopped paying attention while I'm too poor. I didn't even know about the 360 chatpad. Is it being applied to any games? The first thing I thought when I seen this was fast keys for mmorpg's.
I guess it depends. Since for any typing on the 360 the dashboard handles it, then yes. But if you mean games like FFXI than idk. I would think microsoft would code i so it goes through just like any other keyboard.
Sony's new Motto:
Just like Xbox, only crappy!
it's just kinda understood that Sony copies stuff. Sony had no plans to put an accelerometer in the controller until the wiimote was announced also. It's not a new motto.
I'll get one of these to keep on the non-rumble dual shock that came with my system, and I'll use it for the browser. My rumble-enabled dual shock will be for gaming.
I'll admit, the 360 controllers feel better, but I find them frustrating to use because MY 360 IS ALWAYS FRIGGIN' BROKEN!!! That, and I need to use expensive power amps and home theater systems to hear my games over the noise of the bloody 360. I love the 360, but I just sold mine out of sheer frustration.
It might've come out a year ahead of the PS3, but I would've waited if I thought they'd make it better. Of course, Microsoft likes rushing crappy things out and then making patches for years to come (ME, Vista, Mrs. Gates)...
Oh no he dih-ent.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/playstationblog/2781722342/
Does NOT look nice to use >.<
and how the hell does the trackpad work? Unless all the keys are capacitive.
man that thing looks pretty bad.... its way too "high" up on the controller to be useful. the whole point of those things are you "thumb" to type with them but thats too high up to be useful to thumb with. weight will be interesting because that thing could make the controller top heavy (the 360 pad adds quite a bit of weight)
Hmm, $50 for Nintendo to release a laser-styled keyboard for the Wiimote? :)
Why would you need a keyboard for the Wii? The Wii Remote does great job with typing in informaition.
doubles as a batarang!
don't own a ps3 but i'm psyched to get one of these for my carputer, THANK YOU SONY finally i can throw this other wired garbage away
Thanks Ryan for the flicker link. Stupid web filter at work blocks "gaming" sites. >_<
Looks decent. I imagine this could also change the way I hold the controller. With this attached unit resting on my index fingers, I could use 4 fingers for the sholder buttons. Then again, I'm so used to using only two fingers...
I'll take two. Oh, and can I get them in white please? KTHXBYE!
damn, that sucks, its already uncomfortable to use a PS3 Controller
Great the sidekick comes to the PS3.
I'll stick to a real keyboard.
What do you mean Mr Engadget or else Mr. Joshua Topolsky when you are saying that this should really help us with our multi-lingual training ?
Are indeed expecting to learn other languages from a PS3 Keyboard add on, or that's just your idiotic sarcasm ?
I personally find this pretty handy and probably cheaper, without the need of buying extra batteries every time the non rechargeable keyboard run out of batteries, or mess up with cables, except if you considering of buying a fashionable plus expensive plus BIG rechargeable wireless one.
Please less sarcasm and more news next time.
why the hell did they put it on top they could just as easily revers the thing and make the keypad at the bottom like the xbox one, the only reason i can thing of it being at the top is to plug into the mini usb port for power or stability, but seriously how the hell is someone gona type with it your just gona end up accidentally pressing buttons on the controller
I think the reason why the pad is on top of controller is... patent of MS?
If they removed the Sony logo I would've immediately thought it is some new device for Batman...
This has issues.
The placement is awful, up and away from where the thumbs of the user usually reside. Atop that, there is a 'lip' to the edge of the keypad which separate the keyboard from the user placement even further.
Is the keyboard back-lit? The one on the 360 is, which helps tremendously when in a dark rec-room.
puus the fact that (I don't know this, but I can tell just by the look) the home, start, and select buttons are machanical, which means they just press on the buttons underneath them. This makes them harder to press and doesn't give the same feedback.
Hell yes! I don't type a lot but when I do occasionally search the web it's a pain using the controller to type and a keyboard is out of the question for our living room.
It's about time they release one. I have the Xbox 360 chatpad and it just sits there perfectly. It doesnt get in the way for anything, I still play games with it on, and its very accesible and easy to type on.
Now this PS3 version I dont know, the keys on top seem a lil more out of the way. Im still definitely going to get this, but so far from what I see I dont really like it as much, only cause its on top and seems a little out of the way for reaching with your thumbs.
Either way, I'll get it when it hits the stores :P
im pretty sure if sony made this thing attach at the bottom of the controller it would interfere with way you hold the controller hence affecting your game play . Texting is an add on and not a main component for most games . this seems like the best option in my humble non-industrial designing opinion
Include a tiny mouse, and you've got yourself WASD for FPS games.........well, not really.
USB Keyboard > This POS
Irony at its finest.
It looks like it doubles as a codpiece as well.
Woah, so that was actually a USB host port on the top of the controller?
super saiyan
3 levels and you still fail.
I have to agree, they should've put it where the 360 chatpad is.
Are you all failing to see the point here? It can also be used with cellphones for texting ect. I would by it just for that!