To coincide with the arrival of Xbox Live MSN Messenger integration, Microsoft has revealed a new Xbox 360 keyboard adaptor for painless text input.
The keyboard device attaches to the standard Xbox 360 controller through the headphone jack and features a QWERTY-style key layout with 47 keys. It doesn't look to interfere with the comfort of the pad either and certainly beats having to drag out a full-size keyboard.
The dashboard update arriving on May 7 will allow 360 users to have up to six chat windows open over the top of normal 360 events, and add MSN contacts with gamertags to your friends list.
The keyboard controller attachment is yet to be dated, priced or even named but we'll try and get you more info as soon as we're done munching on Easter eggs and drinking all of Tesco's beer.
Yes because having your own bulging keyboard helps you play games? Hello? MS get a clue. Now the keyboard idea is good, however leave it to MS to ... over complicate sending messages to your friends and contacts. Make a wireless keyboard that uses the controller port as a connection, implement your ( x ) with identical functions as the controller version. Don't forget size, make it small enough that one can use two hands to type out their messages, but not large enough that they need to buy a new end table...
Yes, if real its a buy, but I can just see the million "QIWUWUWUISSKJDN" I'm going to receive from everyone on my friends list... now that I think about it.. its not that much different from what people say online..
awesome microsoft screws up again. how can they expect people to play their games with that thing attacking their controller. and do they not realize how small those keys would be.
They don't want to enable a full keyboard for gaming, and that's fine. It's a console, use a controller. So having said that, this is a fine solution. It's for quick text chats, not writing your thesis.
Providing it's weighted properly so it doesn't make the controller feel crap in your hand, it will be great. And anybody that's ever used a mobile phone will be able to send messages on it fine.
Why does everyone have to moan about everything?! You're not going to be writing the Bible with it, just detatch it when you're playing a game. If you want an all night MSN sesh switch on your PC or plug in your usb keyboard.
I must applaud M$'s inventiveness (for once) but seriously, how small is that keyboard? Guess they are aiming for kid size fingers and not adults. Ooops is that a dig saying the 360 is a kids consoles?!
I don't know if half of you know what you are talking about. If you don't like it, don't buy it! Its just an attachment, its not coming on every new 360 controller w/o the chance of taking it off. Its for MSN messenger update coming up.
First everyone complains that you will have to use a regular keyboard along with the contoller, now everyone is complaining about the solution. Just stop.
Why does everyone have to moan about everything?! You're not going to be writing the Bible with it, just detatch it when you're playing a game. If you want an all night MSN sesh switch on your PC or plug in your usb keyboard.
Exactly, i won't buy it cuz i don't use MSN, i barely use the message thing on live as it is but this is a quality solution for an added extra on xbox live (MSN messenger)
Do u know how much battery thats gonna take up!!! and who going to but that it a pile of s**t and why dose it have the normal buttons are we meant to play games or something... with that!!!
MS aren't calling to every home and forcing you to use it. I bet when it is released it will be a fine solution for anyone wanting to use MSN through their 360.
Do u know how much battery thats gonna take up!!! and who going to but that it a pile of s**t and why dose it have the normal buttons are we meant to play games or something... with that!!!
You are dumb. Its an attatchment! For MSN messenger on 360. I don't use MSN but I will once the update is out at least just to play around with.
To coincide with the arrival of Xbox Live MSN Messenger integration, Microsoft has revealed a new Xbox 360 keyboard adaptor for painless text input....
this is to coincide with the MSN Messenger integration that .....still hasnt been officially announced??!! ooooook
Do u know how much battery thats gonna take up!!! and who going to but that it a pile of s**t and why dose it have the normal buttons are we meant to play games or something... with that!!!
People should actually read the article they're posting on before they post.
Why are people complaining about the size of this add on, its an add on not a whole new controller for some of the missinformed who have posted whinging about it.
And just how many of us use even smaller mobile phone keypads to send texts every day without complaining about how small they are??
Who the hell is going to game with that thing still attached? I would think it would be a decent solution for writing a text message to ask "what game do you want to play?" and then unplugging it when you play. I still don't understand why "young people" feel the need to game and chat and watch a DVD and check their email all while talking on the phone...Kids suck.
If anyone here has used a Treo or similar mobile device they will know that typing on those little keyboards is pretty good. As stated above, its not like your typing a bible.
About time this came out, there were screens of this back in 2005
I think it looks good, I'm sure anyone who uses msn on the 360 a lot (when the update is out) will find this hand sized device very, um handy?
Great little attachment, more useful than that 6 axis s**t, I'm sure.
On a side note all you cry babies, giving negative feedback about an optional peripheral, that's clearly only aimed at people that will need/want it. Should stick you dummies back in your mouths and shurrrrrrrrrrrrd up, plain irritating.
I'm into it. Just waiting for them to announce voice messages / video chats on MSN now!
The keyboard plugs into the jack, right? Therefore you don't need it in all the time, right? So you can take it out for when you're gaming.
No, it's an entire controller, no seperate keyboard to put into the jack, otherwise it would be a keyboard attatchment,and not a keyboard controller
Read the article, "The keyboard device attaches to the standard Xbox 360 controller through the headphone jack and features a QWERTY-style key layout with 47 keys".
Great idea and nice design for MSN Messenger communication, I'll definitely pick one up. It's not always convenient to talk out loud on your headset (late night gaming or when youre watching a movie for instance) so this is a great alternative.
Why are people making negative comments about this addon?
Surely its the same as offering PC gamers a gamepad? YOU might not need it, or want it, but enough people will do.
Does it affect your game experience? Not REALLY, Infact I can see it aiding MMORPGs.
ALSO, theres no HUGE marketing campaign/hype from Microsoft on this product, which suggests to me they arent considering it as major as the HD-DVD drive announcement.
To finish, I get a feeling certain people are trying to force negative spin on something MS, purely as a counter for the negativity surrounding their brand of choice's machine. Apologies that I had to make this last comment, but it does seem to be that way...
i think every console ends up with a strange or bad peripheral at some stage to be honest! No one has to buy this, its not exactly going to effect people who have no interest in it, even though it does look rubbish!
Should cater well for the (relatively small) MMORPG crowd. My own 'entertainment centre' does't really cater for a USB keyboard, so I'll most likely get this with Age Of Conan or Marvel Universe.
Ok, now I consider myself to be a PS3 fanboy of the most insane caliber, but tbh, its a nice wee addition the to 360 controller that shouldnt impinge on you gripping it too much.
Rumble AND a usb keyboard. The PS3 seems to be running out of reasons to buy it compared to thr 360. Heres to hoping for th PS4
Who the hell is going to game with that thing still attached? I would think it would be a decent solution for writing a text message to ask "what game do you want to play?" and then unplugging it when you play. I still don't understand why "young people" feel the need to game and chat and watch a DVD and check their email all while talking on the phone...Kids suck.
I agree that for a console it's better than a normal key bord. It's just a prelude of things to come. Since it is msn messenger it won't be long before hotmail is included. And after hotmail ofcourse their browser. All part of microsofts big plan
awesome microsoft screws up again. how can they expect people to play their games with that thing attacking their controller. and do they not realize how small those keys would be.
can you read? its an attachment. You plug it in for Messenger, then take it out when playing games. Thats not too much work, is it? Maybe this simple act will burn off a few pounds you know, so you're fingers dont push 4 keys at a time.
for now they just release msn, but soon it will be browsers... and mmorpgs and soon u cud rule the world from ur 360... or ofc u cud just talk to people. if u really think its that bad then dont buy it, evry1 says its chunky but if u look at the picture compared to a real 360 controller it only just comes out past the handles of the thing so its not that big.
It seems to have the same idea as the GameCube keyboard/controller peripheal, except more compact & obviously with more use in mind, though to be honest it does look like it could be a little ockward to use.
To those who are comparing it to texting on their phones, you seem to have forgotten that most people tend to text using just their thumbs, not all of their fingers (unless you're one of those stupid people who can still only type using their index fingers ).
Anyway, I can see this being quite useful because it'll mean you won't have to keep changing what you're holding just to type a 5 second message, though during a time like in a Halo 3 deatmatch it's not something you'd want to be doing in the first place
To those who are comparing it to texting on their phones, you seem to have forgotten that most people tend to text using just their thumbs, not all of their fingers (unless you're one of those stupid people who can still only type using their index fingers ).
Wouldn't you also use your thumbs on this one as well though.
It's a good idea, if it gets some success then maybe we will see better versions of such devices in the future until they are perfected and accepted as standard.
Not sure about having it instead of a headset. Though I guess that just shows it's not really meant for use in game, unless you're scared northerners will laugh at your gay southern accent.
I think its alright. As usual the tidal wave of nay-sayers are in full force, but for what is (an attachment as opposed to new pad), it'll more than likely be relatively cheap. I've tried using my USB keyboard for typing short messages, and its just a huge pain in the a$$. As an alternative for kicking in short messages (and not War and Peace), this is a great alternative.
What on God's Earth is that thing? Has a randy 360 controller been having it away with a Speak & Spell? Why can't they just release a USB mouse & Keyboard (wired & wireless version) and just be done with it.
IMO, not too bad a design. The keys look about on par with the main buttons which isn't too bad at all. I've got a 'keyboard' on my P990i mobile phone - now THATs useless - it is a Sony after all. javascript:emoticon('')
MS aren't calling to every home and forcing you to use it. I bet when it is released it will be a fine solution for anyone wanting to use MSN through their 360.
so people arent allowed to have negative views about it? Thanks for the update.
so people arent allowed to have negative views about it?
People can have whatever view they want of it at all - you just get the impression from some members of this forum that this keyboard has just destroyed half the earth and plunged us into darkness for eternity..
Thats thing is sweet ----- i wouldnt pay more than Ł10 for it considering i can get a usb keyboard for like Ł3 and hook it up and the controller only cost like Ł18
Whilst I can appreciate what a lot of individuals say about this keyboard looking a bit clunky hanging off the bottom of your standard controller. Just bear in mind when your trying to reply to a message or keep up on a conversation. Lets face it, it's going to be very handy indeed! The only short fall I'm worried about is the price tag it's going to get stuck with, with any luck it'll be around the Ł15 mark as otherwise I doubt it'll sell that well as USB keyboards are cheap and equally as compatible. Alright a wireless keyboard would be perfect and perhaps eventually Microsoft will start to pay more attention to it's customers when they say what they want, but until then I'm counting down the days till this keyboard hits the shelves as it's going to make XboxLive and a whole lot more a great deal more user friendly.
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and why dose it have the normal buttons are we meant to play games or something... with that!!!
