Sony's PlayStation 3 wireless keypad now available for pre-order

Hey, remember that totally bodacious PlayStation 3 wireless keypad we told you about last week? Well if you do -- and you should -- you'll be pleased to know that you can now pre-order the $49.99 accessory at Amazon. Sure, you'll still have to wait till November 30th to get your hands and fingertips on the thing, but at least you can sleep at night, safe in the knowledge that it has your name on it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Kiwi616 @ Aug 25th 2008 5:37PM]

A little pricey considering the controller itself is already $55!

[Static @ Aug 25th 2008 6:36PM]

The entire face turns into a touchpad, has shortcuts to XMB features (can be used from ingame) and it is non proprietary bluetooth. Meaning you can use it for anything else thats bt compatible.

Not a bad price at all.

[vileta2 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:11PM]

I was fearing it would be like $100 because of the touchpad functionality. If I read correctly, I heard that each key can be set to act as part of a touchpad that spans the keypad's surface.

That is awesome.

[superted @ Aug 26th 2008 4:23AM]

@Static - i'm not joking about here, this whole "the whole face is a touch pad" thing...

what does that even mean?

confused!

[nxtiak @ Aug 25th 2008 5:38PM]

Other than the fact that they copied the Xbox 360's Chatpad (keyboard attaching to the controller), how the hell do you type with this crap if it's ABOVE the controller you're holding, you gotta move your hand COMPLETELY off the ps3 controller to type on this thing.

[Flashpoint @ Aug 25th 2008 5:56PM]

when does PSP get one?

[KarlW @ Aug 25th 2008 8:33PM]

It is much less convenient than the 360 chatpad. That said, I'm still getting one - it may not be as ergonomical as products for competitor consoles, but it's the best the ps3 has.

Maybe some enterprising company will create a pad that's below the controller, but I doubt it'll be anywhere near as good - MadCatz has had a similar product for a while, and it's just nasty.

[Kevo @ Aug 25th 2008 5:39PM]

Why is this worth $50?

[Dubb @ Aug 25th 2008 6:04PM]

Don't you know? It's wireless. As Erwos mentioned above, it has it's on bluetooth radio and connects to the PS3 via Bluetooth. On the XBox 360 it uses the data port at the bottom of the controller to send the wireless signal instead of having it's on wireless module built in. That's why the 360 one is cheaper, it integrates with the controller, while the PS3 just snaps on and uses it's own Wireless hardware.

[chefgon_ign @ Aug 25th 2008 6:32PM]

@dubb
That just means that this one is poorly designed. It is essentially useless for any purpose other than being snapped on to the controller, why include duplicate hardware just to jack up the price? This thing is similar to the 360's in function, but totally botched in every way on execution.

Nevertheless, I will still buy one because I love the 360's so much, and I am no longer willing to deal with on-screen keyboards for any reason (nor do I want full size keyboards sitting on the floor next to my couch all the time). A poorly designed keypad is better than none at all.

[Dubb @ Aug 25th 2008 8:06PM]

@chefgon_ign
I completely agree with you, I was just pointing out why it's more expensive then the 360 counterpart.

"why include duplicate hardware just to jack up the price?"

This is Sony we're talking about here, they will do anything to get it's loyal fan base to spend more money on accessories.

[Andy @ Aug 25th 2008 9:34PM]

@chefgon_ign

Its not useless outside of the PS3. It is universally compatible with any Bluetooth device, like a cellphone, a computer, an HTPC, or whatever else you may think of. It does not require power or anything from the controller, and you can use it without connecting it, just lay it down on your coffee table when youre gaming, and pick it up when you are messaging.

[Paulmichael @ Aug 26th 2008 3:32AM]

I love the touchpad thing, but thumb boards are not my thing. I'll take my much faster ThinkOutside bt keyboard over this any day!

[Johan S @ Aug 25th 2008 5:39PM]

Where'd they get these? Did Batman have a fire sale or something?

[rurounij @ Aug 26th 2008 11:03AM]

Looks like batman has a new utility codpiece to go with his utility belt.

[Rob @ Aug 25th 2008 5:39PM]

I want to get one. But, $50 ??? No freaking way. Sony's out of their minds. I'll wait for the clones that are guaranteed to show up eventually.

[w4rh34rt @ Aug 25th 2008 5:41PM]

Da da da da da da da da, da da da da da da da da SPIDERMAN ^_^

Family Guy.. LOL!

[Zorque @ Aug 25th 2008 8:54PM]

That's it. The internet's over. Everybody go home.

[WarMouse @ Aug 26th 2008 12:11PM]

Goddamnit. This keeps making me break out into laughter at work, cluing people into the fact that I'm not actually doing anything productive.

[Striker @ Aug 25th 2008 5:42PM]

Ugh, too expensive for what you are getting, it is just a crappy clip-on keyboard! Why are they charging $50? That is insane! I'm sure my Chatpad is better, and it was only $35, still not cheap for what you are getting, but it is not past the point where something like that can not be worth the money.

[Erwos @ Aug 25th 2008 5:52PM]

This isn't just a slap-on attachment - it has its own Bluetooth radio and everything. Think of it as a second controller which goes on top of your first controller.

It does, certainly, reveal a flaw with how Sony handled USB expansion of the DS3 and SIXAXIS (or, rather, how they didn't handle it).

[peterz @ Aug 25th 2008 5:43PM]

"Novemeber"? Really?

[Taylor @ Aug 25th 2008 5:57PM]

Hahahaha, excellent.
-Taylor

[Tony @ Aug 25th 2008 7:59PM]

Thank God you signed your name "Taylor." I might have never known otherwise!

[BigD145 @ Aug 25th 2008 5:44PM]

Haha. I called this one.

[lanejasper69 @ Aug 25th 2008 8:52PM]

I call seconds!!!


Lane Jasper
1234 ABC street
San Diego, CA
92067

;-)

[WarMouse @ Aug 26th 2008 12:04PM]

Looks like someone's getting signed up for the Church of Latter Day Saints newsletter.

[John @ Aug 25th 2008 5:49PM]

I already have about $250 in PS3 peripherals. Considering I can just hook up a wireless keyboard with a USB adapter and keep that in my lap if I'm desperate for typing, I don't really see the point in this...

[joey @ Aug 25th 2008 5:53PM]

LOL you guys wine too much, its not a bad price considering that you can also use it as a touch pad. I wont be buying it though.

[Christian Walters @ Aug 25th 2008 6:07PM]

and when will the touch pad feature EVER be usefull? As a third analog stick or something?

[OnlyShawn @ Aug 25th 2008 6:58PM]

if i can use this as essentially a wireless keyboard/trackpad for my media server mac mini, rather than having to have a full keyboard/trackpad laying around next to my couch, then this is WELL worth my cost, compared to the alternative.

[computer.dude.28 @ Aug 25th 2008 7:04PM]

@Christian Walters
The internet browser.. it uses that little mouse cursor.. make sense?

[Woody @ Aug 25th 2008 6:12PM]

It's too pricey for me. I don't use the internet browser enough to want to spend $50 on one of these. If it was $20 I'd consider it.

[LiqwidZero @ Aug 25th 2008 6:17PM]

Use a keyboard.

Simple. Cheap.

[h0mi @ Aug 25th 2008 6:17PM]

$50? Please. $20-30. At least the chat pad on the 360 comes with a mic.

[Rudy @ Aug 25th 2008 6:40PM]

thats exactly what i was thinking...

[David @ Aug 25th 2008 6:35PM]

Am I the only one who wants multimedia controls on the controller??? I have a 360 and I'd love to be able to change the song, play/pause, and control the volume without having to open the stupid half-dash.

[hfm @ Aug 25th 2008 6:40PM]

is there a picture out there of this thing actually attached to the controller... I'm trying to picture it, and it doesn't look very friendly... and how do you continue to use L1/L2 & R1/R2 .. it looks like it covers them up..

[The Joker @ Aug 25th 2008 7:45PM]

http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/playstation/ps3_keyboard00.jpg

Looks good to me. $50 isn't that much. I'm not sure I need this but I may pick one up.

If you consider that the ps3 controller is small, you should still easily reach the buttons with your thumbs.

[Curly @ Aug 25th 2008 6:50PM]

Poor Design , looks like you have to take your hands off the controller completely to type , might aswell buy a wireless keyboard for half that price and lay it on your lap.

[Harrison @ Aug 25th 2008 10:27PM]

There's this thing called thumbs that you could use. But that's just me.

[Photojourno @ Aug 25th 2008 7:10PM]

The only thing it's gonna block or cover is the SELECT, START, and PS button. But as you can tell from the pic, it has it's own that'll overlay on top of those three buttons.

The two curved arcs next to the SONY logo is gonna be directly above the trigger buttons L1 and R1. You can tell by the big circular shapes on the thumb pad area of a PS3 remote. So essentially the keypad is going to protrude out forward of the Sixaxis controller like an awning.

[Nytrojen @ Aug 25th 2008 7:48PM]

Lol... "bodacious"! Radical, dude!

[recon @ Aug 25th 2008 7:49PM]

here's a pic with it on the controller

http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/08/keypad_01.jpg

[gabe @ Aug 25th 2008 8:14PM]

who has the freakishly long fingers to type on that?

sony fanboys?

[The Joker @ Aug 25th 2008 8:25PM]

well certainly not those stubby-fingered XBox kiddies.

[nxp3 @ Aug 25th 2008 9:42PM]

That thing is not bad...but the fact that I got a controller that's 55 already they could have made it cheaper...maybe 40. I got a bt keyboard already also. If you guys want a cheap one...the clone by madcat or was it pelican existed for sometime now...it mounts the same way, but uglier and no touch pad. I'm just wondering what the heck I'm going to use this thing for. I don't chat except the ocasional messaging and I'm too lazy to bring out the bt keyboard even, but if this thing was on the controller I might be inclined to wip up a msg or 2. I also have the the pelican controller charger and it has 2 usb charger on the side for this sort of thing.

[lanejasper69 @ Aug 25th 2008 8:50PM]

It looks like it would take a bit of getting used to, but I don't think you'd have to take your hands off either, just have to "choke up" on the controller a bit, but the over lay of the start, select, and PS button make that irrelevant. At least it looks that way. hmmm......

[carg0 @ Aug 25th 2008 9:07PM]

$50??

are they out of their f%&*ing skull? it better come with something else.

[arkweld @ Aug 25th 2008 9:10PM]

I knew it would be overpriced at $50. Twice the price of the 360 chatpad.

The touch pad is a useless gimmick considering the browser controls are already in the controller. I guess if you want to not use the joysticks conveniently located under your thumbs to control the cursor, you now have the option of grappling with a inconveniently placed fake trackpad.

Save your money on this doofy piece of proprietary crap and spend $20 more on an Apple bluetooth keyboard. It's small and easy to store, won't turn your controller into an ergonomic design disaster, you can actually type on it and people won't laugh at you when you attempt to pair it with another computer or phone.