Chatpad Messenger Kit will cost $30 [update 1]

by Dustin Burg { Jul 10th 2007 at 1:50PM }

Eagle-eyed fanboy reader lee\ sent in a tip telling us that our long awaited Chatpad (which was announced back in May) has been priced and now has its own page up on Xbox.com. The Chatpad will be part of what is called the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit which will also include a separate headset and retail for $29.99. No other new Chatpad news or surprises that we haven't already known are detailed as we'd still like to have a look at the separate headset. Though, we're banking on seeing all the goods later tonight. So fanboys, is $30 worth paying for this text input kit or will you pass and put the money towards a new game?

Update 1: We just found out (via some searching on Xbox.com) that the Messenger Kit's release date will be September 4th.

[Thanks, lee\]

Tags: chat pad, ChatPad, e3, e307, peripheral, text input device, TextInputDevice, xbox 360 chat pad, Xbox360ChatPad

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

big pat @ Jul 10th 2007 1:56PM

if i can respond to the IM's wittout it opening the guide and hampering my gameplay...then of course $30 would be a small price to pay. its really not all that expensive in the first place, and it would make multitasking alot more effortless.

ill go for it.

Modeps @ Jul 10th 2007 1:56PM

I wish it was $20, but $30 is not particularly unreasonable. If they would include some MS points, I'd be sold for sure... now I just have to mull it around a bit.

DeadPlasmaCell @ Jul 10th 2007 1:59PM

hah, I knew it.. I'd pick it up @ $30. New headset, new input device.

Gemini Ace @ Jul 10th 2007 6:10PM

$30 is too much. It should include an arcade game or something for that price.

Jai @ Jul 10th 2007 1:59PM

30 bucks, of course. I believe thats an acceptable price for texting :)

Adam @ Jul 10th 2007 2:02PM

Wouldn't it be a good idea to make messenger remotely usable on the 360, before releasing kits for it?

Blaine Train @ Jul 10th 2007 2:06PM

When is this gonna be out. I've been waiting for this since the spring dashboard update.

DjDATZ @ Jul 10th 2007 2:04PM

Fuck yes! for $30 US or probably $35 CAD, I'll definetly buy this.

Grindstone @ Jul 10th 2007 2:09PM

I'll wait for user feedback. I can get a keyboarrd for less than that. Plus, I haven't had a need for chat on the 360 yet.

GregA @ Jul 10th 2007 2:11PM

Wow, it looks like there are going to be a lot more mmo's for the 360. But I have to say a plain old wireless usb keyboard already works pretty good in Phantasy Star Universe.

Iced_Eagle @ Jul 10th 2007 2:11PM

I would be excited, but MS still hasn't fixed the bug where if you created your XBL account while underage, you can never access MSN Messnger (even after you're 18, it never reflects your status as an adult and no way to change it).

I have yet to use Messenger since I'm still labeled as a "child account", even though I'm over 18.

Brian @ Jul 10th 2007 2:11PM

If it makes playing FFXI easier when typing, then yes.

Jon @ Jul 10th 2007 2:15PM

Yea I would, $30 for the pad and a headset is worth it to me, also been waiting for this since the Spring Dashboard!

Neeko @ Jul 10th 2007 2:19PM

sounds like a good deal. Now i just need more friends..lol

chenry @ Jul 10th 2007 2:31PM

I'll wait. Right now I just stick a keyboard on there if I really need it. But I don't use MSN through the xbox, it's irritating to have people IM me when I'm in a firefight :P

"No baby, I can't chat right now I'm getting shot at by the Locus"

Lharmon @ Jul 10th 2007 2:25PM

This is ok. I'm just using a wireless keyboard. It's easy to type on, and I already had one so it was free. If you have a usb keyboard, that will work as well. Not to mention, I'm using it now and not whenever this thing is available.

Gemini Ace @ Jul 10th 2007 6:10PM

And I still don't get why they have to include a different headset with the thing.

Tony Bowman @ Jul 10th 2007 2:32PM

i'll probably pick one up. i don't want to put down my controller during a game to swap over to a full usb keyboard to respond to a quick IM.

$30 is totally reasonable.

hans @ Jul 10th 2007 2:50PM

how did you get your wireless keyboard to work with the 360?

Gyp Joe @ Jul 10th 2007 3:51PM

If I could use it from Media Center without goining to the dashboard everytime they definitely, yesh!

dunnypop @ Jul 10th 2007 2:43PM

I was expecting $50 for this.
$30 is pretty good with a headset. Nice, now I'll have 2 headsets.

NEO1X @ Jul 10th 2007 2:56PM

I can't help but think ATARI Jaguar

poprocker @ Jul 10th 2007 2:48PM

thanks for that update. It's nice to know when this thing actually comes out now.

Brian @ Jul 10th 2007 2:50PM

$30 is perfectly reasonable. I can't wait to use this with Counter Strike: Source!

martin_alvis @ Jul 10th 2007 2:53PM

any news on the UK release date/price? As I understand you guys pay $60 a game which should be around £30 over here, though the usual price for us is about £50. So I'm guessing this will be about £20 in UK.
My Internet won't let me connect to live till September 3rd anyway so this is another reason to look forward to the 9th month

murph @ Jul 10th 2007 2:57PM

hey, what happened to "available this summer"?

Drunkenshaolin @ Jul 10th 2007 3:02PM

thats about 15pound over here in uk..seems ok

benheck @ Jul 10th 2007 3:20PM

Oh noes! They turned it into a JAGUAR controller!

aZTEKv2 @ Jul 10th 2007 3:24PM

but does it come in black?

Alex @ Jul 10th 2007 3:25PM

is the headset wireless? If not, why bother with it???

Ian @ Jul 10th 2007 3:40PM

Because the chat pad covers up the normal headset port. This one plugs into the chatpad.

dirt junkie @ Jul 10th 2007 3:48PM

$30 is too much IMO should be more like $20-$25 and why the hell does it have to come with a wired headset??? OMG i already have 2, 1 that came with my Xbox and 1 with the Live vision camera. What the hell am i gonna do with a 3rd? no point selling on eBay as they anit worth shit. Really disapointing. Period.

SteveMB @ Jul 10th 2007 4:10PM

dirt junkie, not everybody has a headset so they could get a headset WITH the chatpad. And besides, who doesn't want multiple headsets? You could use one if the other died. I think the price is pretty good, not sure why you would complain about $5.

http://www.ps3nuts.com

brad @ Jul 10th 2007 4:18PM

i just wish live was aim compatible, that' the only im i use and this would be useless to me otherwise

Monkey @ Jul 10th 2007 4:24PM

Any USB keyboard works on the 360, been using my wireless keyboard since it launched

O_o @ Jul 10th 2007 4:29PM

If the keyboard works when the controller's hooked up to a PC, I'll buy it. It'd be great for when I'm too lazy to lean forward

thrillho @ Jul 10th 2007 4:39PM

the reason it comes with a headset is because the standard one wont fit with the chatpad in, the chatpad uses those proprietary connectors, and doesnt have them on the bottom of the pad, just a headset port.

jamie @ Jul 10th 2007 5:07PM

Reminds me of the Atari Jaguar controller.

RHP @ Jul 10th 2007 5:11PM

If I'm not mistaken, this headset has a different input, because the chatpad covers up the existing headset port. At least that's how it appears in the picture. Perhaps that'll change.

As far as a wireless headset for the 360, one is already available.

Leatherface @ Jul 10th 2007 5:20PM

So that's £15? Or rather that'll be £30...

Porno Panda @ Jul 10th 2007 6:24PM

$30 is an ok price, but that probably the case because we're used to paying absurd amounts of money for the simplest things nowadays.

Will it be coming out in black for the elite?
If not itll look weird with my black controllers.

thrillho @ Jul 10th 2007 6:50PM

"40. And I still don't get why they have to include a different headset with the thing.

Posted at 6:10PM on Jul 10th 2007 by Gemini Ace"

Look at the port on the chatpad vs the standard 360 headset, its missing the data ports on the left and right, so you need the headset they will provide, unless you already go wireless with your headset... get it??

Tarl @ Jul 10th 2007 6:54PM

Yeah, I'll pick one up. I was actually expecting it to be at least $10 more.

h0mi @ Jul 10th 2007 6:54PM

$30 seems excessive. $20 is more reasonable.

REXKIX @ Jul 10th 2007 9:01PM

I don't understand how this is so much more favorable to using a full-sized USB keyboard.

Daryl @ Jul 10th 2007 9:16PM

September 4th. Noooooooooooooooooooooo ...

I was hoping for much sooner than that!

jay luv @ Jul 11th 2007 4:14PM

$30 is way too much!

I can buy a regular USB keyboard $4.

Why does this add on have to cost $30. That is crazy and BS for M$ to ask for that much. They probably only pay $3 to make it. All the input is done by the controller, this thing has no sophisticated electroncis in it at all. They could of left the headset port the same as the old one. Guess they want you to feel you are getting a deal by giving us another damn headset. If it is a wireless headset then yes, it would be a deal.

M$ is asking way too much!