Sony has announced a new accessory that’ll make life easier for all you PS3 owners - a wireless keyboard that clips on over the front of your controller. This should make in-game messaging and browser navigation a lot faster… Click through for the full spec sheet, and keep those ideas for other peripherals coming…
For more about the Leipzig Games Convention, click here.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS™ and DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.
The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation®Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.
Equipped with Bluetooth® functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) such as “Friends” and “Message Box” during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.
Wireless Keypad For PLAYSTATION®3 To Be Introduced This Holiday Season Worldwide
More and more exclusive software titles that will support text chat feature are scheduled for release towards the end of the year including LittleBigPlanet™ (SCEI).
SCEI will vigorously promote various measures to introduce new entertainment world that can be further enriched through the network, including PlayStation Home.
Release date and price of this product will be announced later in each region.
Wireless Keypad Product Overview
Product Name
Wireless Keypad
Product Code
CECHZK1JP (For Japanese market)
Product Color
Black
Hardware Specification
Weight : Approx 60g
Voltage: DC 3.7V
Operating Temperature: 5℃～35℃
Built-in Bluetooth® Ver.2.0
Keypad Layout: QWERTY layout
Battery Specification
Built-in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Battery Capacity: 610mAh
Looks good, I want one.
Comment by Robothamster — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
A welcome addition, will certainly make Home easier to use withut a headset!
Comment by MrGilder — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
This was the best announcement from Sony yesterday. I, personally, am sick of trying to type with the Virtual Keyboard, so this is extraordinarily welcomed.
Comment by Heartsbane — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
…I’ll stick with my full size USB keyboard thanks..
Comment by BlueGene — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
I had something very similar when I had a 360. It’ll be good for chat etc - but even more useful given the PS3’s web-browsing capability. If the price is reasonable, I’ll be getting one!
Comment by Aragorn1001 — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
I’ll probbaly end up picking one up.
Though I love my super thin aluminium Apple bluetooth keyboard.
The touch pad (like on those walkmans) really sets this out from the crowd.
Comment by Tony Nibbles — Aug 21, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Yep, it’s the touchpad aspect that I like the sound of. I have a foldable Bluetooth Keyboard already but it’s a pain to use with a controller as you have to put one down to use the other.
Comment by Robothamster — Aug 21, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
I’ll pick one of these up if the price is right, I’ve tried searching for small Bluetooth keyboards before and the only ones I found were far too expensive to justify! If this comes out at sub-£30 it will be a winner.
Also true to Sony’s Open Platform philosophy you will be able to use this with any bluetooth device like your smart phone or PDA etc.
Another feature that catches my eye is the Touch Pad Button that “allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad” - as weill as being handy during web-browsing I can see this being used as a novel way to control some games as an optional control method.
Comment by Apnomis — Aug 21, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
I’ve finally got it
threespeech must be a newspaper, because they’re always publishing yesterdays news
Got all this info elsewhere yesterday, thanks but no thanks
Comment by Chris — Aug 21, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
I almost bought a ‘madcatz’ version, so glad i didn’t!!!!
Comment by Phil — Aug 21, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
@chris
Cheer up mate, I for one can’t be bothered to search through google everyday for news. So a day after the announcement is cool by me!!
Comment by FuriousOne — Aug 21, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
now, if only they bought something similar out for the PSP,
that thing is crying out for a mini keyboard!
i’ll stick with my USB apple pro keyboard/mouse on my PS3 fanx
reading comments above, why do PS3 users prefer Apple keyboards?
is it because the sleek sexy styling goes well with the PS3?
i note Sony can announce the clip-on but no mention of price, typical.
Comment by mobiletone — Aug 21, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
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