Sony intros wireless keypad attachment for the PS3

The news is flying fast and furious out of the Leipzig Games Convention today (we actually just got hit in the eye with a flying piece of news). Apparently Sony is launching a wireless keypad attachment that snaps onto the top of a SIXAXIS or DUALSHOCK3 controller into the mini-USB port. The pad features a "touchpad mode" for mouse input, and can be paired with phones and other gadgets via Bluetooth. No word on pricing, but the pad launches in November, and the add-on will come in eight different languages, which should really help us with our multi-lingual training.

[STIEN @ Aug 20th 2008 12:16PM]

YES!! just what i need! thank you sony!

[misha @ Aug 20th 2008 1:06PM]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/08/ps3-keypad-1.jpg

[NHAnimator @ Aug 20th 2008 1:13PM]

@misha:

Thanks for the link. Unit looks like it does not interfere with the shoulder buttons. Can't wait for a review.

[Albert @ Aug 20th 2008 2:32PM]

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.

[Chris @ Aug 20th 2008 3:29PM]

that's.... not right.

Shouldn't it go on the bottom?

[MastrCake @ Aug 20th 2008 5:42PM]

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.)

[who? @ Aug 20th 2008 12:16PM]

Just like the Xbox... But better.

[LiqwidZero @ Aug 20th 2008 12:18PM]

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.

[a @ Aug 20th 2008 12:22PM]

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.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 20th 2008 12:36PM]

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.

[hello @ Aug 20th 2008 12:49PM]

its not like you guys could make a better one.

[LiqwidZero @ Aug 20th 2008 12:56PM]

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.

[Flashpoint @ Aug 20th 2008 12:59PM]

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.

[Zorque @ Aug 20th 2008 1:03PM]

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.

[a @ Aug 20th 2008 1:29PM]

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.

[Jarhead2012 @ Aug 20th 2008 4:13PM]

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.

[bluestriker @ Aug 20th 2008 4:44PM]

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

[MarcBot @ Aug 20th 2008 12:17PM]

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!

[Mental Issues @ Aug 20th 2008 12:36PM]

Yeah, that's how it works. It's called thumb typing.

[Lucky @ Aug 20th 2008 12:44PM]

You're dumb.

[arkweld @ Aug 20th 2008 12:58PM]

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.

[Marcelo @ Aug 20th 2008 3:10PM]

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.

[arkweld @ Aug 20th 2008 10:07PM]

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.

[Zeth Ethereal @ Aug 20th 2008 12:17PM]

That is really cool! I want one! ahhhhhhhh lol -orgasms- >_>

[Tomheivers @ Aug 20th 2008 12:19PM]

They forgot to mention it's EU only for now

[Rob @ Aug 20th 2008 12:19PM]

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.

[BigD145 @ Aug 20th 2008 1:08PM]

Most plug in thumboards for PDA's for 30-40. This one is wireless, so Sony could easily get away with 50-60.

[bamboo @ Aug 20th 2008 12:21PM]

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.

[Syphon Filter @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM]

You gotta be kidding me. So you have to reach OVER the dual analog sticks to reach the keys?

[Frankenstein Black @ Aug 20th 2008 12:32PM]

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 ;^/

[Abuzar Baloach @ Aug 20th 2008 6:14PM]

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.

[Frankenstein Black @ Aug 20th 2008 12:24PM]

SOLD!! Hopefully ColorwarePC will jazz this up as well...

[The Aggie CEO @ Aug 20th 2008 12:25PM]

sweet.......

this damn sure is better than the Madcatz shit that came out earlier this year......

I hope its no more than $30......

[El Taco @ Aug 20th 2008 10:30PM]

sayian...

[The Aggie CEO @ Aug 20th 2008 12:27PM]

sweet.......

this damn sure is better than the Madcatz shit that came out earlier this year......

I hope its no more than $30......

[El Taco @ Aug 20th 2008 10:31PM]

super saiyan 2

[Zeth Ethereal @ Aug 20th 2008 12:30PM]

CccccccCCCcCcCcOMBO BREAKER!!! lol :P

[arkweld @ Aug 20th 2008 12:36PM]

wow that doesn't look cumbersome.

We can use it for all the RPG games that the PS3 doesn't have.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 20th 2008 12:38PM]

We know, Aggie. We know.

[Zeus.:God @ Aug 20th 2008 12:38PM]

Top heavy controllers FTL.

[ma5t3rw1tt @ Aug 20th 2008 12:45PM]

WOW! Now for those of you putting another operating system on your PS3, well this comes in handy for ya.

[james @ Aug 20th 2008 12:53PM]

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.

[John @ Aug 21st 2008 7:44AM]

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.

[chefgon_ign @ Aug 20th 2008 12:53PM]

Sony's new Motto:
Just like Xbox, only crappy!

[El Taco @ Aug 20th 2008 10:42PM]

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.

[Russ @ Aug 21st 2008 9:58AM]

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.

[Ryan @ Aug 20th 2008 12:56PM]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/playstationblog/2781722342/

[Phoenix @ Aug 20th 2008 1:03PM]

Does NOT look nice to use >.<

and how the hell does the trackpad work? Unless all the keys are capacitive.

[aaron @ Aug 20th 2008 1:08PM]

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)

[computer-repair.ie @ Aug 20th 2008 12:58PM]

Hmm, $50 for Nintendo to release a laser-styled keyboard for the Wiimote? :)