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Engadget reviews the PS3 wireless chatpad

by Alan Tsang { Dec 22nd 2008 at 2:40PM }

Engadget got their hands on the recently released PS3 wireless chatpad peripheral and they seem to have mixed feelings about it. They were generally happy with typing aspects of the keypad, although they felt the buttons were a bit small and they didn't provide enough tactile feedback. On the other hand, the touchpad functionality was said to be lacking precision and "just doesn't work very well." In summary, the peripheral is perfect for those of you who are typing away all day on your PS3, but the $50 price tag is simply too expensive in their opinion. Take a look their full review here.

Oh, and the best part of the review? Their picture gallery which includes a comparison picture (as seen above) with the infamously complex Atari Jaguar controller.

Update: A tip from the PS Nation about calibration:
1. Go to Internet Browser
2. Activate Touch pad (the hand with index finger pointing)
3. Hold blue and orange shoulder buttons for 2 seconds until the light flashes
Now your touch pad should be calibrated. ENJOY!

Chatpad coming to Europe November 28th

by Jem Alexander { Nov 18th 2008 at 11:45AM }

SCEE has confirmed to Eurogamer that the PS3 controller chatpad add-on will be making its way to European stores before its American release in "early December." Specificially, Europeans will be able to get their hands on the full qwerty keyboard controller expansion on November 28th for the price of £24.99. No price in Euros has been revealed yet.

A touch pricey, but the chatpad will be very handy for those who prefer to text chat rather than using a headset. Games like LittleBigPlanet can only benefit from it, not to mention the imminent Home open beta. Might be worth grabbing just for that.

New Live bundle with Chatpad and PGR4 for $69 [update]

by Dustin Burg { Sep 26th 2008 at 1:30PM }

Update: According to Xbox.com's accessory page, this new bundle will be available at retailers on October 7th.

By golly, that Live 12 month bundle rumor turned out to be true. Over on Xbox.com, a new listing for a 12 month bundle called the "Xbox LIVE Messenger Gold Pack" popped up and is listed at $69, which is actually a pretty darn good deal. Included in the Messenger Gold Pack is a 12 month subscription to Xbox Live, a Chatpad, a wired headset and a copy of Project Gotham Racing 4. Not too shabby, especially for those in the market for Live subscriptions and Chatpads.

[Thanks, Lightsout565]

Typing on PSP alleviated by Xbox 360 chatpad mod

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 7th 2008 at 11:40AM }

Do you want an alternative to PSP's current keyboard? Perhaps you'd like to rip open an Xbox 360 chatpad and use it to connect it to a PSP? That's exactly what the clever folks at Acidmods did. A remarkable feat of engineering, indeed -- but we'll patiently wait for the official keyboard peripheral, due next year.

Video is embedded after the break. (Warning: video features music which may or may not be incredibly annoying.)

[Via Engadget]

Continued →

Stootsi offering 360 Messenger Kit for $15 [update]

by Dustin Burg { Feb 5th 2008 at 2:30PM }

Update: Going once, going twice ... sold out!

If you're in the market for a super nifty chatpad text input device for your 360 (one piece of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit), then look no further than Stootsi. Available right this very moment until they're gone are open boxed Messenger Kits for the rock bottom price of $14.99, which works out to be 1/2 off retail. Though, one has to account for the rather high $6 shipping charge they tack on. Stootsi. Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. Under retail. Buy if you want. Okay? Awesome.

[Thanks, PreacherMan23]

Messenger Kit not delayed, we repeat, not delayed

by Dustin Burg { Sep 6th 2007 at 1:30PM }

There has been a half a dozen or so rumors floating around the internets as of late surrounding the release of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit. The kit should have been available September 4th, but some are saying that they've received emails from online retailers stating the item has been pushed back into October while others say that they simply can't find them in stores. Well, it's our duty to find you answers and we went straight to the source ... Major Nelson.

Major confirmed with the Messenger Kit product manager that the product is not delayed, has shipped to retailers and is readily available. So, the September 4th release still stands. Though, you should know that hardware is treated a little differently than its software counterpart as peripherals are usually only shipped on the release date. As a result, such items like the Messenger Kit may not make it onto store shelves until a few days later. Happy Messenger Kit hunting!

Messenger Kit gets unboxed and exposed

by Dustin Burg { Sep 2nd 2007 at 1:00PM }

Gather around fanboys, it's time for an electronics unboxing! The scissor wielding crew over at Gear Live got their hands on the new chatpad included Messenger Kit, which releases this Tuesday, and decided to chronicle the ritualistic unboxing process. Click through their unboxing pictures, be amazed at how all the contents were carefully stuffed inside the packaging and how pretty the chatpad's backlight glows. Yes sir, electronics unboxings rock especially when they feature Xbox 360 products.

Microsoft chatpad and Halo 3 accessories next week

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 31st 2007 at 6:45PM }

Next week Microsoft kicks off their month of Halo by finally releasing the ~~chatpad~~ messenger kit (includes chatpad and headset) and the Halo 3 wireless controllers with art designed by Todd McFarlane. The messenger kit will retail for $30 and the Halo 3 controllers will be $60. Microsoft will also start selling the Halo 3 wireless headset for $60 as well.

Oh chatpad, you will bring joy to the thousands of people out there that just can't use their voice to send a message, because as we all know, typing is such a faster form of communication than a simple voicemail. Actually, it's a nice deal for someone who may be vocal cord impaired or has completely lost their mind trying to type a message with the analog stick -- or lost their mind insisting to only type messages with the analog stick. It serves a purpose in the grand scheme ... unlike those stupid Wiimote add-ons.

Gallery: Halo 3 Controllers and Headset

Chatpad and Halo 3 accessories arrive next week

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 31st 2007 at 12:45PM }

Microsoft has announced that both the Chatpad and the special Halo 3 accessories, which include a wireless headset and two controllers with artwork by Todd McFarlane, will be available starting next week on September 4th. While we've known about the Chatpad's launch date for a while now, the McFarlane controllers previously had a launch date of September 18th and the wireless headset was listed only as "early September." Maybe Microsoft figured gamers would want a new controller to go with their new Chatpad. The controllers also come with a limited edition figurine of Master Chief, which may cause Halo fans to overlook the less than stellar artwork. The controllers and headset will run for $59.99 each, and the Chatpad -- which includes a special wired headset -- will retail for $29.99.

Gallery: Halo 3 accessories

Hands on with the Chatpad and Messenger Kit

by Dustin Burg { Jul 21st 2007 at 11:15AM }

The fellas over at GameSpot got their hands on the soon to be released Xbox 360 Messenger Kit and wrote up their impressions of the Chatpad add-on as well as the special headset. Overall, they feel that the Chatpad is a solid peripheral that is quite useful, won't get in the way of your gaming session and Messenger addicts will be required to pick this peripheral up ASAP. We're sold simply because of the back lite keyboard. Make the jump to read their full impressions as well as a few new products shots and a picture showing how awkward the white Chatpad looks on a black controller. Go ahead, jump already!

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\]

Sega releases Phantasy Star-branded texting gadget for PS2, Xbox 360

by Ross Miller { May 30th 2007 at 9:50PM }

Sega has just announced a Phantasy Star-branded Blue Orb Texter for sale through its online store. The gadget is plugged in between the controller and console -- available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 -- and the player can use an analog stick to kind of jab in the text. (Note: Xbox 360 owners must have a wired controller to use this.)

Looking at the layout of the characters, pictured, gives us the impression that we wouldn't be so accurate with it. According to Sega's website, gadget can be used with any game that accepts a USB keyboard.

Someone will find this very convenient, to be sure, but considering the price -- $35 for PS2, $40 for Xbox 360 -- we have a hard time justifying this except for PSU enthusiasts who want the packaged "swag aplenty" and free t-shirt. We're eschewing the learning curve for this device and buying a USB keyboard and/or saving up for the Xbox 360 chatpad.

[Thanks, Brett]

Chatpad seen in Chicago at GSB Road Tour stop

by David Dreger { May 22nd 2007 at 5:30PM }

Charles Huseman over at Gaming Nexus attended GamerscoreBlog's Road Tour event in Chicago, and got some hands-on time with the Chatpad, although not the retail version that'll hit shelves this summer. Charles said the Chatpad doesn't get in the way at all or messes up the weight balance of the controller. He also noted that the buttons are backlit for those who may be texting in the dark, with minimal impact on the wireless controller's battery life. Still no word on pricing or when we'll be getting it this summer.

The special headset packed with the Chatpad has yet to be seen. Either way, exactly 1/3 of X3F staff (We bet you can't guess who) is all about the IMing whilst gaming, to the point of having a USB keyboard handy to make use of the overlay window for quick conversations. Have any of you slowly warmed up to the idea of IMing while you game? Or would an accessory like this be necessary for you to make the jump?

FYI Xbox 360 TID named 'Chatpad' kthxbai

by Ludwig Kietzmann { May 10th 2007 at 12:55PM }

Hi followin da 360's spring upd8t and da console's new instant msging trix the use of a qwerty keyboard is all the mor ~~necesary~~ ~~neccesssary~~ rad! previously given a placeholder name of TID (4 txt input device), the upcoming txting peripheral is referred to as da "Chatpad" in da update's help doc. 2 find da txt, go 2 the marketplace bl8, select da "learn more" ad block, then select "More Details" and "Windows Live Messenger." cool hai?

now wat about us dvorak users :p

[Thanx, BAK6E]