Bolt-on controller keypad for PS3 unveiled

Promises to make chatting easier

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20 August 2008 21:56 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Following Microsoft's bolt-on keyboard, Sony has on Wednesday launched its own keyboard offering for its PlayStation 3 controller allowing gamers to more easily type in information.

Coming to the US in late November and the rest of the world before the year's out (read December) the wireless keypad fits the standard PlayStation 3 controller and allows gamers to type far quicker than using the rather pathetic on-screen keyboard as they have been forced to do since the dawn of time.

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.

Rather than just offer a bunch of QWERTY keys, Sony has added a Communication Button and a Message Box Button in for good measure allowing, you guessed it, users to jump to pre-set features on the XrossMediaBar menu system such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play.

Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily manoeuvre the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.