Rumor: MS announces Xbox 360 mini-Keyboard

[Zeus]

Several gaming websites are reporting that Gamespot posted news of an official Xbox 360 mini-keyboard but pulled the article down pronto due to a request from Microsoft. The attachment is said to connect onto the system's pad for easy message typing. This will come in useful for the Spring update which will integrate Windows Live Messenger.

<Center><a href="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh_1.jpg"></center></a>


New attachment snaps onto system's standard pad for quick and easy instant message typing.

While Microsoft's Xbox 360 Spring Update will integrate Windows Live Messenger into the system's dashboard for cross-platform chatting, the machine's text-window interface for standard control pads makes lengthy conversations a chore.

To ease the task of typing in messages without the aid of a full-sized keyboard, Microsoft today announced a new text input device for the Xbox 360 controller. The attachment snaps onto the bottom of the controller through the headset jack and features a QWERTY-style key layout with 47 keys.

The keyboard attachment has not been priced or even named yet, but it is expected to see release this summer.


News Source: <A href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150017" target="_blank">Neogaf.com</a>

[Jason Voorhees]

its not needed. cuz, i just use an old usb keyboard.

[weetz]

i actually like the design of that :)

[Freestyle]

i actually like the design of that :)

I Agree...

[poisonousjuice]

this will be a nice alternative to having a keyboard laying around in the living room. now let's just hope they don't slap a huge price tag on it. somehow though, I feel they will.

[Rockman_Joey]

i actually like the design of that :)

Yeah, I could use that also for playing Final Fantasy XI aswell, it'd save a lot of hassle, but I do like that design!

[SSChevy2001]

Wow that so sweet! Cool ass design. How much?

[Templedog]

Fairly positive this is legit.. I have a friend who worked at the firm that designed a lot of the 360 stuff, and he mentioned working something like this once for the controllers.

Pretty sweet-- Looks like it will fit in nicely with all of that messaging stuff they are adding into Xbox Live in the coming update.

[wumpafru1t]

Maybe some games will let you use WASD :)

[matryc]

i'm afraid that the picture is fake, look at the headset socket, it wont fit there, to ONLY one hole...
correct me if i'm wrong..

is spite of that, the desings is great and it can be functional

[IJTF_Cinder]

i'm afraid that the picture is fake, look at the headset socket, it wont fit there, to ONLY one hole...
correct me if i'm wrong..

is spite of that, the desings is great and it can be functional

If you look close enough, it's pretty easy to tell it's a render, not an actual shot.

Otherwise, looks cool and I'd certainly prefer that to a keyboard laying around my living room like someone else mentioned.
Wouldn't buy it if it's $50+ though, which it will probably be. $20-$30 maybe.

[Dark_Vendetta]

Yea I like the design too. If it's not too expensive (30 max.), I'll buy it

[Murc]

I was never a fan of having web browsers on consoles...But if MS is gonna make this good looking attachment...then I dont see why they shouldn't ass a browser (just dont make it IE7...come on MS...surely you have heard of Firefox or Opera).

I dont do the Messenger thing...so I wouldn't have much use for this...but I do see myself buying it IF MS adds browser support...and doesn't rape the customers...aka keep the price at 20-25...after all, it is just an attachment.

[gonepostl]

Usefull eh? Wtf?
http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh.jpg
There is no plausable way to make that an attatchment. Good luck playing Halo with that. How about you just let us plug in our keyboards. We can use our keyboards right? I assume Microshaft wouldn't go that low!
i actually like the design of that :)
Ha, funny!
its not needed. cuz, i just use an old usb keyboard.
If they let yo uuse your own keyboard

[RuneEdge]

Why do we always have to have a smartarse like you on every forum?

[Totalfixation]

Usefull eh? Wtf?
http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh.jpg
There is no plausable way to make that an attatchment. Good luck playing Halo with that. How about you just let us plug in our keyboards. We can use our keyboards right? I assume Microshaft wouldn't go that low!

Ha, funny!

If they let yo uuse your own keyboard


yes they do let you use your own keyboard.

[sigma8]

i actually like the design of that :)
You're joking right? I was going to say something along the lines of "Wow it'd be funny if they actually released that, they'd become a laughingstock!"

That is the most unwieldy looking thing I think I could imagine. You realize how difficult it would be to type on that thing? Imagine a blackberry with frisbees glued to its sides.

Actually using WASD on that...in conjunction with what...the right analog stick? Go ahead and duct tape the space between the handgrips on your 360 controller to fill it in, then get a full no.2 pencil eraser and slice it so that you have 4 shorter eraser bits. Arrange them about a half-inch inwards on the duct tape, and glue them on in a WASD layout...now try seeing how easy that will be to use..

WASD with just your thumb.. yeah that's a winner.

[Ztype]

That thing looks ridiculous

[radius]

strangely looks like a jaguar controller ^^
http://www.atariage.com//Jaguar/controllers/con_JaguarController.jpg

[evilcode]

That actually wouldn't interfere with the way I hold the controller. It would be handy for some things like FF:XI and when they add the MSN support. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but that doesn't mean it won't be convenient for some if it is real.

[spinergy]

I actually quite like it, if someone has fabricated the picture it looks like they have put considerable effort in to do so, surely someone that would have done such a thing wouldn't have overlooked the headset connection, perhaps the headset connection is still accessible underneath the keyboard and the keyboard connects to the 360 wirelessly and separate to the controller but then that raises the question "what is the single hole for?"

[hoky]

Usefull eh? Wtf?
There is no plausable way to make that an attatchment. Good luck playing Halo with that. How about you just let us plug in our keyboards. We can use our keyboards right? I assume Microshaft wouldn't go that low!

Ha, funny!

If they let yo uuse your own keyboard


Um you said it's an attachment and then you say in the very next sentence "Good luck playing Halo with that". What do normal people do with an attachment that isn't need for the game or app they currently running?

THEY REMOVE IT!!!

I rest my case.

[Xenontc]

Um you said it's an attachment and then you say in the very next sentence "Good luck playing Halo with that". What do normal people do with an attachment that isn't need for the game or app they currently running?

THEY REMOVE IT!!!

I rest my case.

QFT. Also that guy is a moron.

[Scorpion3]

Usefull eh? Wtf?
http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh.jpg
There is no plausable way to make that an attatchment. Good luck playing Halo with that. How about you just let us plug in our keyboards. We can use our keyboards right? I assume Microshaft wouldn't go that low!

Ha, funny!

If they let yo uuse your own keyboard

A...it's an add-on, ie it slides into the headphone jack, why would it interfere with gaming?

B. Every 360 game allows Keyboard use.

C. Why not? It's a perfect little keyboard for texting people on Live or for games such as Marvel Universe Online, FFXI, Two Worlds, etc.

You're joking right? I was going to say something along the lines of "Wow it'd be funny if they actually released that, they'd become a laughingstock!"

That is the most unwieldy looking thing I think I could imagine. You realize how difficult it would be to type on that thing? Imagine a blackberry with frisbees glued to its sides.

Actually using WASD on that...in conjunction with what...the right analog stick? Go ahead and duct tape the space between the handgrips on your 360 controller to fill it in, then get a full no.2 pencil eraser and slice it so that you have 4 shorter eraser bits. Arrange them about a half-inch inwards on the duct tape, and glue them on in a WASD layout...now try seeing how easy that will be to use..

WASD with just your thumb.. yeah that's a winner.

What? lmao. My guess is you've never used a QWERTY Keyboard before, have you? They're very easy to use once you master them, and again your whole idea of it not working...why? It's an add-on QWERTY keyboard for those who want to messege on Live without having to use a full size keyboard, if they were so hard to use and so bad, WHY do you think Text Messeging on Cell Phones have been so high in number recently? And that's just using the standard 3 letters per key unless they have a QWERTY keyboard which is featured on most smartphones.

[Silversand]

i actually like the design of that :)I also agree... =)

[Isamu_Dyson]

Erm.. i think gonepostl said that about the controller on a gaming point of view, not for typing messages. He kept mentioning the WASD key combination used in shooters all the time. As a Dreamcast owner you should be aware of that. ;)

[Kenban]

i'm afraid that the picture is fake, look at the headset socket, it wont fit there, to ONLY one hole...
correct me if i'm wrong..

is spite of that, the desings is great and it can be functional

Did you look at a 360 controller before typing this? There is a slot on both sides of the headset jack and they each have two contacts.

[radius]

The pic is clearly computer generated btw

[s00pcan]

That would help a lot opening roms and such on a pc using the wireless receiver. The mic port wouldn't be usable with the current wired headsets though.

[Templedog]

lol just because it's a render doesn't mean it's "FAKE"... that's typically how it works you know, someone has to design it, do a rendering, get it all approved and then it goes off to engineering/tooling before it's actually produced. Doesn't mean it's real, but this looks pretty good- and that controller model is spot on. Certainly doesn't make it fake.

[kronikdaddy]

Kinda reminds me of the Jaguar controller, I liked the jaguar controller so i think it's kinda cool.

[btotheg]

Looks pretty cool looking to me. I will reserve judgment until I actually get to touch the thing and see how easy it is to type with ect. But from the look of it, it doesn't look to add THAT much excessive bulk and it looks very nice. Now let's hope it comes in black because I want the elite!

[cmdwedge]

I actually like the look of that a lot. Keep in mind that it's not for gaming, it's for typing. I like the idea of snapping it in if and when I need to type messages to Friends on Live, and clip it out when not needed.

It's not designed as a controller replacement.

I'd buy one for $30USD without a second thought. It looks really professional and doesn't ruin the look of the Xbox controller. Neat!

[gonepostl]

Why do we always have to have a smartarse like you on every forum?
Rather be a smartess then a dumbass right?
Looks pretty cool looking to me. I will reserve judgment until I actually get to touch the thing and see how easy it is to type with ect. But from the look of it, it doesn't look to add THAT much excessive bulk and it looks very nice. Now let's hope it comes in black because I want the elite!
You smokin crack? It's a qwerty keyboard compacted into a extremely small space between the left and right holster handles. How on earth could it not add significant weight? I got a test for ya. Pick up the keyboard that your typing on right now. K, ready? Now add that to your 360 controller.
Kinda reminds me of the Jaguar controller, I liked the jaguar controller so i think it's kinda cool.
Right, how'd that work out:rolleyes:

[spinergy]

I got a test for ya. Pick up the keyboard that your typing on right now. K, ready? Now add that to your 360 controller.


I have a small foldout keyboard thats used with my PDA it weighs next to nothing

[Dark_Vendetta]

If someone needs the official site:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0408-im.htm?WText.camp=TS1-InstantMessaging&WText.campSrc=Home
And maby(!!) we have Divx support :eek: (look at the end of the feautres).

[DEDDOA]

While not spmthing I would find to my tastes (my 360 is on a desk so a normal keyboard is better for me), it is not bad. Regardless of what the nay sayers have to say, that size is very useable. It overlaps the pad grips so is actually larger than the gap between. I put my remote tv remote keypad (which has a qwerty keyboard inside and is easy to use) next to my pad and it looks around the same size, and if anything the pad looks better as it has less and larger keys. Given that most console users don't play at a desk, this would ideal for a lot of people. It certainly beats lugging a bulky keyboard around with you. If MS ever add full messenger support, e-mail and a web browser, this would no doubt make a lot of people happy. You never know somthing like this may find use in games, I can see how it would work in rts games easily, assigning unit groups and functions to keys.

On a side note, I had wondered why there were connector points in those slots, I thought they were there to keep the headset connector straight. You never know, if ms do release a motion sensor it may just plug into that instead of buying a completely new pad. An upgradable joy pad, and there was me thinking only nintendo did stuff like that. And before I forget, give us mouse support as well :D

[DEDDOA]

Rather be a smartess then a dumbass right?

Then I guess it's a shame you fit into the latter then these days, especially with comments like below.

Pick up the keyboard that your typing on right now. K, ready? Now add that to your 360 controller.

Err somehow I don't think it's going to be the same weight as a normal keyboard somehow, infact I suspect it will weigh very little, plus it's positioning means if you can just as easily type with your thumbs, so I don't see how what you said compares. I get the worrying feeling if this was a PS3 pad addon you would doing the old, telling people to shut up who critisized it etc :rolleyes:

[RuneEdge]

Rather be a smartess then a dumbass right?
So everyone else is a dumbass cuz they have an opinion different from yours? :rolleyes:

You smokin crack? It's a qwerty keyboard compacted into a extremely small space between the left and right holster handles. How on earth could it not add significant weight? I got a test for ya. Pick up the keyboard that your typing on right now. K, ready? Now add that to your 360 controller.

Right, how'd that work out:rolleyes:
Theres HUGE difference between the keyboard that you'd be typing on right now and the one that would attach to the pad. I've seen keyboard attachments for phones that are the size of a credit card and weigh as much as a floppy disc.

[Ed_209]

I have the Sidekick 3 (aka hiptop III) and the qwerty keyboard on that is awesome. I thought the idea of tapping a bunch of sentences with my thumbs would suck at first, but it actually works pretty well. I have a usb keyboard in my living room, but it's lying on my floor... so it kinda sucks having to type something out when you have a setup like that, it's much more convenient if you just had the buttons built into your controller.
It won't take away the headset port either from the looks of it, but I am kinda curious how the keyboard will actually connect to the device. Will the keyboard give off a wireless signal on it's own or is the game system going to recognize it through the headset port? It's hard to imagine that a headset port is going to be able to transmit keyboard signals to the 360. If the keyboard gives off a wireless signal on its own, expect this thing to cost just as much as the wireless headset

[DEDDOA]

I have the Sidekick 3 (aka hiptop III) and the qwerty keyboard on that is awesome. I thought the idea of tapping a bunch of sentences with my thumbs would suck at first, but it actually works pretty well. I have a usb keyboard in my living room, but it's lying on my floor... so it kinda sucks having to type something out when you have a setup like that, it's much more convenient if you just had the buttons built into your controller.
It won't take away the headset port either from the looks of it, but I am kinda curious how the keyboard will actually connect to the device. Will the keyboard give off a wireless signal on it's own or is the game system going to recognize it through the headset port? It's hard to imagine that a headset port is going to be able to transmit keyboard signals to the 360. If the keyboard gives off a wireless signal on its own, expect this thing to cost just as much as the wireless headset

if you look at the 2 slots either side of the headset slot, you will see that they have 2 metal conection tabs in them. I suspect they are esentially the 4 points for usb (2 power 2 data). So I expect they just connect through the pad like a usb pasthrough on a printer, scanner etc. I hadn't noticed them myself until this was brought up, but it does give a good opportunity for cheap pad upgrades.

"If" a motion sensor is released i suspect a lot of people would be happy if they could just buy an add-on instead of a new pad, though there will be the usuall complainers here if it was :D

[OblivionX]

this is useful but I just switch my keyboard from my pc to the 360 when I want to type messages. And msn again good, but my pc and 360 are in my room so I can just change to my pc channel. And this keyboard will be really light weight. There really isnt much in a keyboard. Especially one of this scale.

[zetsurin]

I think this is a great idea. I currently plug a USB keyboard into my PS3 and if anything like that ever came out for it I would snap it up in an instant.

[Biznarie]

I have the Sidekick 3 (aka hiptop III) and the qwerty keyboard on that is awesome. I thought the idea of tapping a bunch of sentences with my thumbs would suck at first, but it actually works pretty well. I have a usb keyboard in my living room, but it's lying on my floor... so it kinda sucks having to type something out when you have a setup like that, it's much more convenient if you just had the buttons built into your controller.
It won't take away the headset port either from the looks of it, but I am kinda curious how the keyboard will actually connect to the device. Will the keyboard give off a wireless signal on it's own or is the game system going to recognize it through the headset port? It's hard to imagine that a headset port is going to be able to transmit keyboard signals to the 360. If the keyboard gives off a wireless signal on its own, expect this thing to cost just as much as the wireless headset

I agree, this would be better then putting down your controller and typing. This way when your in game you can type small messages to your team while playing. Although something like this i would need to try out to see if it is good, the idea is good lets see how they put it into play.

[sigma8]

What? lmao. My guess is you've never used a QWERTY Keyboard before, have you? They're very easy to use once you master them, and again your whole idea of it not working...why? It's an add-on QWERTY keyboard for those who want to messege on Live without having to use a full size keyboard, if they were so hard to use and so bad, WHY do you think Text Messeging on Cell Phones have been so high in number recently? And that's just using the standard 3 letters per key unless they have a QWERTY keyboard which is featured on most smartphones.

Wow you are a funny person indeed. I can probably type faster than you can think. I don't mean that as an insult. I probably type faster than I think too. Despite that, you do know that QWERTY keyboards were actually designed to SLOW TYPISTS DOWN, and the QWERTY layout is a relic from the typewriter era, where typing too fast meant the drums inside the keyboard that printed the letters would jam.

Modern layouts like DVORAK were created to provide a more efficient layout that would yield faster wpm, but never really caught on. Why? Because tradition and familiarity often trumps efficiency.

And you apparently didn't read my message. Someone said that the add-on, as pictured, would be potentially great for games, allowing someone to play them WASD-style (given your utter misunderstanding of that point in my message, I can only assume you have no clue what this very important QWERTY-related term is...it's the layout a PC-gamer uses for movement/strafing).

I am fully aware that as a thumb-typing keyboard, that mockup keyboard would be similar to a blackberry, albeit a blackberry with 2-3 inch bumpers on its sides, which would make the center keys more annoying to hit. Whether it works well or poorly for blackberry-style thumb-typing, it would work HORRIBLY for WASD style movement/strafing, as WASD requires you to use four fingers (all except the thumb and pinky), which would leave you without being able to grip it with your left hand.

[sigma8]

It will never beat this, btw:

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-23-49-en-70-1xe.html

[sigma8]

The pic is clearly computer generated btw
Fully agree. I think if you used that, the balls of your thumb would constantly be resting on the keyboard keys.

If they do decide to go blackberry style, they'll have to recess the buttons a bit, not make them stick up.

[Ahmed_p800]

WTF?!?!?!

http://archive.gamespy.com/e32002/special/e3pics01/DSC00020.jpg

http://image1.play-asia.com/350/PA.02498.004.jpg

http://www.whitedog.co.uk/catalog/images/ps2_itype_sony_pad.jpg

http://www.ncsx.com/2002/ncs061702/Monday/ps2_netplay_keyboard.jpg

Anyway.....Im gonna get it when its released

I LIKED IT!!!

By the way ive tried many USB keyboards and they didnt work....

[Reset]

Wow you are a funny person indeed. I can probably type faster than you can think. I don't mean that as an insult. I probably type faster than I think too.
who ever said anything about how fast you can type? and what does that matter? you dont have to buy it. and you aren't everyone. wpm aren't that important for instant messenging anyway.
And you apparently didn't read my message. Someone said that the add-on, as pictured, would be potentially great for games, allowing someone to play them WASD-style (given your utter misunderstanding of that point in my message, I can only assume you have no clue what this very important QWERTY-related term is...it's the layout a PC-gamer uses for movement/strafing).
im pretty sure he was joking.
QWERTY keyboards were actually designed to SLOW TYPISTS DOWN, and the QWERTY layout is a relic from the typewriter era, where typing too fast meant the drums inside the keyboard that printed the letters would jam.
It wasnt desinged to slow down typists, (some argue whether it slowed down or actually increased maximum type speed).but Im not gonna go crazy talking about qwerty, anyone can look at its wiki if they need to know the crap ur tryin to spue. but a relic is usually something that isnt used by millions of people every day. dvorak and the new colemac layout are more of a hardcore tool because like you said, familiarity is a ***** to overcome.

http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=356... just one of many different views on qwerty and dvorak out there

what kind of keyboard layout are you using right now? if its dvorak, your just to harcore and type to fast for me to comprehend your thoughts. :rolleyes: do you suggest MS try to change the standard that is set in place in nearly every english keyboard.

[sigma8]

who ever said anything about how fast you can type? and what does that matter? you dont have to buy it. and you aren't everyone. wpm aren't that important for instant messenging anyway.I know that. I was responding to Scorpion's enlightening comment about how QWERTY layouts can really allow for some crazy-fast typing!

im pretty sure he was joking.We can hope.

It wasnt desinged to slow down typists (some argue whether it slowed down or actually increased maximum type speed).but Im not gonna go crazy talking about qwerty, anyone can look at its wiki if they need to know the crap ur tryin to spue. but a relic is usually something that isnt used by millions of people every day. dvorak and the new colemac layout are more of a hardcore tool because like you said, familiarity is a ***** to overcome.

The definition of "relic" I was using was this one: an object, custom, or belief that has survived from an earlier time, but is now outmoded. There's plenty of things people, or even just Americans do in particular that is pretty outmoded. Like personal checks :P Ever have to wait in line behind someone paying with a personal check? ugh.. why is that even allowed?

I tend to put faith into wikipedia, perhaps more than is warranted, so I'm not going to dispute what the article it has for QWERTY, but either way you read it, the QWERY layout was primarily designed because in an ABCDE layout, there were key combinations that were too fast and would cause keyboards to jam. At the time, the primary concern was not speeding things up, but slowing things down, so to presume that the QWERTY layout was intentionally designed to reduce "super fast" combinations, like "de" or "hi", yet to optimize other key combinations that might otherwise be slower, is a stretch.. I don't think initial keyboard layout designers were applying analytics to their layouts in order optimize overall typing speed at the expense of certain superfast jam-happy combos. The goal was simple: stop jams.

what kind of keyboard layout are you using right now? (if its dvorak, your just to harcore and type to fast for me to comprehend your thoughts:rolleyes: ) do you suggest MS try to change the standard that is set in place in nearly every english keyboard.

No, I'm not suggesting any of that. And I would love to try DVORAK, but they're a little hard to find and I don't want to repaint all my keys. And hey, so I type fast. Most people talk faster than they think..I'm not an exception. I can talk faster than I can type, and probably, can type faster than I can think...unless I'm on some sort of roll.

But think about it.. If you ever have to pause typing, then you type faster than you can think :P

[Reset]

well that made much more sense to me. I still feel it was designed to seperate common heads, not to slow down the typist perse is all, I mean before it was simply aplhebetical. It was designed so a person typing the same speed that jammed on the preivious setup would not jam when typing at that speed on a qwerty setup. so a person typing at max speed on a qwerty setup was simply less prone to jam, but people were able to type just as fast.

I agree there was probly some dumb luck in its design working so well, but there isnt enough evidence to suggest the newer ones are really even faster.
thats why we still use qwerty, it has never been proven to be slower.

I guess maybe well just have to agree to disagree on this since it appears to be an opinion thing. but really this turned out to be an interesting discussion, I never even heard of dvorak before you mentioned it. :o

[Reset]

But think about it.. If you ever have to pause typing, then you type faster than you can think :P
lol, I dont type that fast. when I pause im trying to remember the sentence I was thinking of typing before I finished typing the one I was on.

oops. didnt mean to double post, srry.

oh yeah, the topic, personally I like the design as well as some others. I'm sure typing could be an issue for smaller hands, but it looks like the best possible design to me.

[gonepostl]

yes they do let you use your own keyboard.
Highly doubtfull. I know you can currently use it for limited functions on the 360. From a computer standpoint it makes it extremely fishy that they just HAD to make it a controller port primary. Technically yes keyboards do work with the 360 but that doesn't mean that they can't disable the function. And to be fair there has been no documented announcement that you'll be able to use your own keyboard. That's just an assumption of yours;)

[gonepostl]

Then I guess it's a shame you fit into the latter then these days, especially with comments like below.



Err somehow I don't think it's going to be the same weight as a normal keyboard somehow, infact I suspect it will weigh very little, plus it's positioning means if you can just as easily type with your thumbs, so I don't see how what you said compares. I get the worrying feeling if this was a PS3 pad addon you would doing the old, telling people to shut up who critisized it etc :rolleyes:

Right, and I'm the dumbass. Great backing of evidence that a keyboard will weigh less "just cause". Critisize? K let's just think about all the ignorant sh1t microsoft has done in the past week. They've floated a ship on the side that says "microsoft loves you" at a Ps3 launch, hired graffiti artists, sent beer to australians, and there's tons more however I can't remember how much they've done at the moment, and that's the fukin point. So fuk you my friend cause I could give 2 sh1ts. You are the latter fuktard.

[sigma8]

lol, I dont type that fast. when I pause im trying to remember the sentence I was thinking of typing before I finished typing the one I was on.

oops. didnt mean to double post, srry.

oh yeah, the topic, personally I like the design as well as some others. I'm sure typing could be an issue for smaller hands, but it looks like the best possible design to me.
Yes, well I have some foot-removing from mouth to do. According to engadget, that design is legit and they've tested it.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/09/xbox-360s-qwerty-thumb-keyboard-is-official/

I still think it looks impractical. It's good that you can detach it, but I think the world would be better off with a wireless compact-sized keyboard, that was maybe a little smaller than a laptop keyboard, but bigger than a thumb pad. It doesn't appear that you'll really be able to type while controlling a game with the design we've been seeing.

[indierocker]

Hands-on pics

http://gamerscoreblog.com/team/archive/2007/04/09/543811.aspx

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/452525729_cee22f7cd9.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/452527581_885cce5cb7.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/452506020_379da19793.jpg?v=0

[sigma8]

Nice pics. I didn't see that "in-use" one before. I maintain that it's unwieldy. It definitely looks like using the d-pad or right analog would potentially cause your hands to rub all up on the keys.

Maybe there is some uber nifty "ejection" button that flings it away from the controller.

[mr_dimsum]

After seeing this last night on Kotaku, I actually had a dream about typing on this - as weird as that sounds..

[Xenogears V]

However it is cool!.

[11111]

that's cool i wont be buying this.

[DEDDOA]

Right, and I'm the dumbass. Great backing of evidence that a keyboard will weigh less "just cause". Critisize? K let's just think about all the ignorant sh1t microsoft has done in the past week. They've floated a ship on the side that says "microsoft loves you" at a Ps3 launch, hired graffiti artists, sent beer to australians, and there's tons more however I can't remember how much they've done at the moment, and that's the fukin point. So fuk you my friend cause I could give 2 sh1ts. You are the latter fuktard.

Sigh :rolleyes:, so bitter and so very like that which you critisize others for. Where is your evidence that it will weigh more? It's not a matter of "just cause" it's a matter of why on earth would they make a mini keyboard that weighs as much as a full size one, are they making with lead or somthing :rolleyes:. Common sense says it will weigh less simple as that. or if you want a comparisson more like your own, pick up a small tv remote and the pad, that is more like it, and unless you have next to no strengh in your hands, that is not that heavy at all.

As for all that other stuff, that was just a case of hijacking the PS3 launch and stealing some of the focus from the PS3. It's a common business tactic, so what? Are you just pissed that it took the spot light from the PS3, are you really that much of a fan boy? :rolleyes:

Highly doubtfull. I know you can currently use it for limited functions on the 360. From a computer standpoint it makes it extremely fishy that they just HAD to make it a controller port primary. Technically yes keyboards do work with the 360 but that doesn't mean that they can't disable the function. And to be fair there has been no documented announcement that you'll be able to use your own keyboard. That's just an assumption of yours;)

Why on earth would they disable a funtion like that, that is just grasping at straws to put a negative slant on it. The keyboard works fine now for sending messages and navigating the dashboard, they have no reason to stop that. All they have done is given those who would rather not have a big bulky keyboard with them whenever they wanted to use one, a small compact option that fits on the pad. It is a nice addition for those who want it, not some sinister plot to take full size keyboard access away from those that use it. Lol you critisize me with a "just cause" line and then go on to invent somthing over the top and try to make it somthing that is going to happen. Sad, really sad

[DEDDOA]

Nice pics. I didn't see that "in-use" one before. I maintain that it's unwieldy. It definitely looks like using the d-pad or right analog would potentially cause your hands to rub all up on the keys.

Maybe there is some uber nifty "ejection" button that flings it away from the controller.

Yeah I agree with that, it does look like you could potentially knock the keys. Well hopefully there is some sort of key lock, it would be a pain in the arse if you kept bringing up the messenger box by accident. Mind you if the thing can be added and removed during play, as needed, it may not be so bad. just pop it in or out as needed.

[Daggerer]

Integrated support for the new Xbox 360 text input device. Note that this device includes a new wired headset.

Says this on xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0408-im.htm?WText.camp=TS1-InstantMessaging&WText.campSrc=Home) under "Other new features" so the reason it only has one hole won't mean you wont be able to use your headset, as you will be getting another one that you will be able to use at the same time as using the keyboard.

[Scorpion3]

Wow you are a funny person indeed. I can probably type faster than you can think. I don't mean that as an insult. I probably type faster than I think too. Despite that, you do know that QWERTY keyboards were actually designed to SLOW TYPISTS DOWN, and the QWERTY layout is a relic from the typewriter era, where typing too fast meant the drums inside the keyboard that printed the letters would jam.

Modern layouts like DVORAK were created to provide a more efficient layout that would yield faster wpm, but never really caught on. Why? Because tradition and familiarity often trumps efficiency.

And you apparently didn't read my message. Someone said that the add-on, as pictured, would be potentially great for games, allowing someone to play them WASD-style (given your utter misunderstanding of that point in my message, I can only assume you have no clue what this very important QWERTY-related term is...it's the layout a PC-gamer uses for movement/strafing).

I am fully aware that as a thumb-typing keyboard, that mockup keyboard would be similar to a blackberry, albeit a blackberry with 2-3 inch bumpers on its sides, which would make the center keys more annoying to hit. Whether it works well or poorly for blackberry-style thumb-typing, it would work HORRIBLY for WASD style movement/strafing, as WASD requires you to use four fingers (all except the thumb and pinky), which would leave you without being able to grip it with your left hand.

That's it? Your arguement is "I don't like it"? Well, good for you, they're not making it just for you, they're making it for everyone that is either pro-360 or at very least unbiased. I could see you saying that if the PS3 were to make one of these, it'd be a bargain!

[thebox]

Usefull eh? Wtf?
http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/3606hhh.jpg
There is no plausable way to make that an attatchment. Good luck playing Halo with that. How about you just let us plug in our keyboards. We can use our keyboards right? I assume Microshaft wouldn't go that low!

Ha, funny!

If they let yo uuse your own keyboard

Why would you be texting someone in a Halo match????
If you do all you have to do is attach it when you want to text, and take it out when do don't!!!!
Your welcome for the tip!!!

[ghostuk]

i'm afraid that the picture is fake, look at the headset socket, it wont fit there, to ONLY one hole...
correct me if i'm wrong..

is spite of that, the desings is great and it can be functional


Integrated support for the new Xbox 360 text input device. Note that this device includes a new wired headset.

[shinryuuken]

with 60 buttons, the controller even surpasses atari's jaguar..lol

[sigma8]

That's it? Your arguement is "I don't like it"? Well, good for you, they're not making it just for you, they're making it for everyone that is either pro-360 or at very least unbiased. I could see you saying that if the PS3 were to make one of these, it'd be a bargain!
Firstly, did you quote the right message of mine? Because the one you quoted wasn't so much about my personal opinion, so much as my more substantial argument that it would be impossible to use a WASD style control system with the gamepad comfortably. I don't think that's MS's intent, and someone else here commented that the person who suggested that was probably joking, in which case my response becomes irrelevant.

You seemed to take issue with my response, though...which AFAIK nobody disagrees that it would be horrible for WASD-style gaming.

If they made one for the PS3, my initial reaction would be "that's ridiculous". Just like my initial reaction for the GC one (and I loved my GC). Is it possible that it's comfortable and well done? Sure. But the picture seems to provide evidence that it is bulky and would probably get in the way if you kept it plugged in while gaming..

You can argue that their intent is that you are supposed to remove it while gaming...that's completely fair. Or that it's comfortable to leave it while gaming...which I don't agree with, based on these pics. But I need to handle one myself to know for sure.

I have never been a fan of 101-button controllers on any platform.
(101...is an exagerration..anything about 20 is probably already too many)

IMO, the first crappy controllers were the Intellivision ones.. Those had like 19 buttons I think? With 15 of them in a grid arrangement (like buttons on a pushbutton phone + 1 extra row). It was keyboard-like. Granted, this wasn't for typing.. But all those extra buttons made the entire controller a lot less comfortable than it could have been.

To be fair to MS, I know they are not dumb, and this will likely be one of the best possible implementations of a full gamepad keyboard.. I just think the concept, as a whole, is a bit ill-concieved.

Even on a phone, the inclusion of full keyboards reduces their comfort factor as phones.. unless it's a concealed slide-out keyboard and the phone has a separate set of phone buttons. This new 360 controller thingy isn't slide-out, it's more like slide-on. Which means you may need to frequently detach it. At which point, why don't they just have it be a separate wireless mini-keyboard?

Ultimately, yes, I don't like the idea of it. It boils down to that. But I have my reasons, and I don't think they are too crazy. The proof will be in the pudding, of course.