keypad
Latest
Tron gaming peripherals soothe your nostalgia with calming blue light (video)
We don't have the foggiest idea whether Tron: Legacy will serve to reboot Disney's venerable light cycling franchise, but it's certainly got peripheral vendors in high gear -- you'll be able to hack the ENCOM Digitizing Molecular Laser with a genuine Tron keyboard and mouse or toss virtual light discs with an Tron-themed Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii controller this holiday season. Gaming favorite Razer crafted this $130 laser-etched keyboard with swappable numpad and programmable macros; it will ship alongside a $100, 5600dpi laser mouse in October, and PDP will provide the console controllers for $50 at an unspecified date. We were bummed to hear that the Xbox 360 and PS3 pads are wired, but in retrospect that might be a good thing -- by comparison, Razer's detachable keypad is just begging to be thrown at an MCP-generated foe. See all the new Tron toys lit up in a video after the break. (Caution: video loads automatically.) %Gallery-96137%
Openmoko brings improved keypad / scrolling and math equations to WikiReader
It sort of blows our mind that OpenMoko has managed to sell more than a smattering of its $99 WikiReaders (you know, considering just how limited in scope this thing is), but evidently there's a huge demand out there for improvements. The company has just rolled out its Spring 2010 update, which adds math equations, fluid scrolling, and enhanced navigation. Reportedly, the latter comes in the form of an improved touchscreen keypad, which is said to make "finding Wikipedia entries easier and faster and makes enjoying one of the largest reference archives known to mankind even better." We won't bother pointing out the gross exaggerations in that there comment, but at any rate, existing users can download the update today free of charge. Don't all hurry over at once and crash the servers, okay?
Wireless USB keyboard / touchpad is more than the sum of its parts
A free PDA that came with a magazine subscription in 2002? An early Peek prototype? No, this is the humbly named USB Wireless Handheld Keyboard and Touchpad that's now available from USB Geek, and it just might be the sort of device you never knew you were looking for. As the folks at CrunchGear have noted, while the device is simply being marketed as an all-in-one wireless touchpad and keyboard, it actually has all the makings of an ideal HTPC controller -- not to mention an entirely reasonable price of $62. No multitouch, no LCD -- just a plain old trackpad, a wireless USB dongle, and a QWERTY keypad that should be adequate enough for tweeting your reaction to the TV show remake du jour. Video after the break. Update: And here comes a review!
Blazepro's Wireless PS3 Keypad is 80% cheaper than Sony's, and it costs less too
Oh it's boxy alright. But what Blazepro's Wireless Keypad for the PS3 lacks in highfalutin curves is more than made up for in price: just $11 compared to the $50 you'd have to pay for Sony's own Bluetooth Wireless Keypad. Unfortunately, there's no mention of included rechargeables and Blazepro's keypad communicates with the PS3 via a 2.4GHz USB dongle instead of using the PS3's built-in Bluetooth. Shame, but at least it includes a "Leap-frequency communication solution" and "strongly anti-jamming." Maybe you should just wait for the reviews.[Via DCEMUUK Forums, thanks Craig]
Use your Blackberry as a PS3 remote and keypad
Got a Blackberry? If you do, then you could turn that smartphone into a cheap and practical solution to some of PS3s peripheral needs. Unity4Life's Games|Shadow will turn your phone into a remote control for both DVD and Blu-ray playback features, as well as turn it into a keypad for internet browsing or other text-heavy inputs.The add-on for the phone costs $39.99 and will be available this upcoming April. At that price, it's a rather attractive option as opposed to going for the official wireless keypad which costs $10 more (with no remote control features either). Check out Games|Shadow in action after the break.[Thanks KidQwik!]
USB Wireless Keypad is perfect for number-crunching on-the-go
Brando's new USB Wireless Keypad is probably just what you're looking for, if you're looking for a wireless keypad, of course. It's got the standard keypad keys, 13 hotkeys, and a totally sweet built-in trackball. It's no Optimus Aux, or anything, but we imagine this pad will be best put to use whilst counting huge piles of coins (or any hard currency) in a public library or adding up intense columns of figures on the subway. 3,700 coppers and it's yours.
RIM patents a keypad with wings
Someone in RIM (probably someone high up) apparently said, "Hey, you know what'd be great? A candybar Pearl that's narrower for no apparent reason," which caused a team of engineers with advanced degrees to spring into action and craft this doozy of a patent app. The concept is that you start off with a numeric keypad slapped onto a handset that's too narrow to handle even an abbreviated SureType configuration, and when the time comes to type, you swing out ridiculous wings that house the extra keys you need. Obviously, we have no good excuse for giving RIM a hard time about this until it appears on an actual product -- a doomed-for-failure product, may we add -- but you think they could've just saved the application fees on this one, you know?[Via Cellpassion]
Engadget reviews the PS3 wireless chatpad
Engadget got their hands on the recently released PS3 wireless chatpad peripheral and they seem to have mixed feelings about it. They were generally happy with typing aspects of the keypad, although they felt the buttons were a bit small and they didn't provide enough tactile feedback. On the other hand, the touchpad functionality was said to be lacking precision and "just doesn't work very well." In summary, the peripheral is perfect for those of you who are typing away all day on your PS3, but the $50 price tag is simply too expensive in their opinion. Take a look their full review here.Oh, and the best part of the review? Their picture gallery which includes a comparison picture (as seen above) with the infamously complex Atari Jaguar controller.Update: A tip from the PS Nation about calibration:1. Go to Internet Browser2. Activate Touch pad (the hand with index finger pointing)3. Hold blue and orange shoulder buttons for 2 seconds until the light flashesNow your touch pad should be calibrated. ENJOY!
United Keys OLED Display Keyboard and Keypad hands-on
Well, any doubts of legitimacy have certainly been quelled: United Keys rushed us over an OLED keyboard and keypad today, and they're certainly the real deal. We're naturally utterly un-blown-away by the product -- you get what you pay for -- but it's still a relatively unique and interesting product, and wears the mantle of "the poor man's Optimus" quite well. Read on for our full impressions.%Gallery-39198%
PS3 wireless keypad available now from Gamestop
Well, online at least. Although a specific release date (other than "early December") for the PS3 wireless keypad peripheral was never announced, Gamestop's webstore shows that the keypad is now available for sale. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have them in stock at Gamestop's brick and mortar locations yet. The price is still a steep $49.99 plus shipping. Checking out other retailers, it looks like Buy.com is taking pre-orders to be shipped on December 5th for $44.99 but slaps on a hefty shipping charge of $6.18. Amazon is the least pricey, at $49.99 with free shipping, but they aren't sending their stock out until December 15th. Will you be snatching up one of these at 50 clams?[Via IGN]
Chatpad coming to Europe November 28th
SCEE has confirmed to Eurogamer that the PS3 controller chatpad add-on will be making its way to European stores before its American release in "early December." Specificially, Europeans will be able to get their hands on the full qwerty keyboard controller expansion on November 28th for the price of £24.99. No price in Euros has been revealed yet. A touch pricey, but the chatpad will be very handy for those who prefer to text chat rather than using a headset. Games like LittleBigPlanet can only benefit from it, not to mention the imminent Home open beta. Might be worth grabbing just for that.
PS3 keypad officially coming first week of December
Although we've pretty much unofficially known since August, Sony's VP of Sales, Ian Jackson, confirmed that the PS3 keypad will make its way to retail during the first week of December. The peripheral is currently listed for the rather outrageous disagreeable price of $50.%Gallery-30063%
PS3 chatpad officially coming in December
Sony's VP of Sales, Ian Jackson, confirmed to Joystiq that the PS3 keypad will make its way to retail in the beginning of December. The attachment connects to the top of the PS3 controller, giving users easy access to a very tiny keyboard. Unfortunately, amazon.com's listing of the device still shows a $50 price tag -- a price point which only 2% of you agreed with.
PS3 peripheral charging AC adapter announced
Those of you with only two USB ports can now rejoice -- Sony is releasing the above AC Adapter for the Japanese market on December 18th for 2,800 yen (about $28 USD). This peripheral will allow you to charge your DualShock 3/SIXAXIS controllers or any other accessories independent of your PS3, thereby freeing up those precious USB ports. The wireless keypad will also debut in Japan on the same day for 5,500 yen (about $55 USD). Keep in mind prices in Japan tend to be higher, so when these products debut in the US, they will likely retail for less. [Via Engadget Japanese]
MTV Multiplayer gets its hands on the PS3 keypad
We all looked on the announcement of the PS3 Keypad at Leipzig with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Finally, QWERTY keyboard input directly on our controller, but why is it above the thumbsticks? MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo got his hands on the device and snapped some photos (with his mouth, presumably) to show how comfortably the keys can be reached from a normal playing position. Of course, we're not really sure exactly what Mr. Totilo thinks of the contraption as a collection of images was practically all his post had to say on the matter. We were hoping he would come to some sort of conclusion, but instead we're left to decide for ourselves whether it looks comfortable to handle. Our thoughts? We need to try it for ourselves, but it seems like it won't be too much of a stretch. What do you think?
New Optimus Aux shots show a sexier vision
Yeah, barebones shots are fun and all, but we're never ones to turn down some cleaned-up press renders. The newly-redubbed Optimus Aux (farewell, Pultius) has had its keys scrunched together for optimum hotkey action, and we've got a shot of the rear port configuration after the break, in addition to a comparison to the Maximus to round things out nicely. Face it, Art Lebedev loves you very much. Also, your wallet.
PS3 keypad listed at $49.99 on Amazon.com
Although no official details about the PS3 wireless keypad's pricing or launch date (beyond "late November") have been released, Amazon.com is shedding a little light on the situation. The online retailer currently has the peripheral listed at $49.99 with a ship date of Nov. 30.Although the date may be a placeholder, an Amazon representative informs us, "Pricing details come from our vendors. So that is the price that Sony gave us." Once again, Sony hasn't made any official statements about pricing, but retailers seem to be getting some details.A recent poll on PS3 Fanboy showed that 46% of responders would pay no more than $20. Only 4% of participants would actually pay the current listed price for the peripheral.%Gallery-30063%
How much would you pay for the wireless keypad?
An amazon.com listing shows the newly announced PS3 wireless keypad arriving on November 30th for $50. While this date and price is far from final, we were wondering how much our readers would pay for this peripheral. We're thinking $50 is a bit too high, and we're hoping this is nothing more than a placeholder price from the online retailer.
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.
GC 2008: PS3 wireless keypad with mouse input [update]
click for extreme closeup At its Leipzig Games Convention press conference today, Sony unveiled a wireless keypad peripheral that attaches to the top of the PlayStation 3 controller (presumably into the mini-USB port). The keypad also features a "touchpad mode" for mouse input. Pricing was not revealed, but the device will be released in 8 different languages. It's worth noting that MadCatz released an attachable thumbpad for PS3 in April 2007.Update: Added official keypad images (see gallery below). Does this thing double as a codpiece?PlayStation.Blog clarifies that the Wireless Kepad includes a mode that turns the key area into a touchpad, allowing users to control an on-screen cursor with their fingertips, tapping to activate a link. The keypad also features two short-cut buttons, enabling quick access to the XMB's "Friends" icon and the "Message Box." The pad also can be paired with other Bluetooth devices (e.g., a smart phone) and will be released in late November.%Gallery-30063%
