PS3 wireless keypad gets date, price

By Robert Purchese Published 18 November, 2008

Arriving later this month for 25 quid.

Sony has told Eurogamer that the wireless keypad for PlayStation 3 will launch here on 28th November for GBP 24.99.

This handy piece of hardware, unveiled during the Leipzig Games Convention, clips into Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers and apparently looks a bit like a Blackberry keyboard.

It also includes a touch-pad, like a laptop, that handles mouse input - which should make using the PS3 web-browser much easier.

On top of that, there are shortcut buttons for quick access to Communication and Message Box, ensuring navigation is short and snappy.

Look out for our thoughts on the wireless keypad closer to release.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (43) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Darren #1 3 years ago

    Hmmm, something for my Christmas list then. Doesn't look as comfortable to use as the 360's superlative Chatpad but anything is better than being forced to use the onscreen keyboard even if the PS3 controller's excellent D-pad does make this far less painful than the same thing on the 360.

    £25 seems a bit pricey though... I don't remember playing that for my 360 Chatpad but I might be wrong.

  • BravoGolf #2 3 years ago

    Screenshots?

  • myiagros #3 3 years ago

    listed on play.com for £17.99:

    http://www.play.com/Games/PlayStation3/4-/8115006/-/Product. html?searchstring=ps3+wireless+keypad&searchsource=0

  • rock27gr #4 3 years ago

    How is that considered confortable to use?

  • superjag86 #5 3 years ago

    HAHA! Brilliant this has to be the first time we're not screwed compared to the Americans. Apparently in the US the PS3 wireless keypad has been delayed till December AND the RRP is USD 49.99 (~ GBP 33). See link.

    Also you can get it off Play for a more acceptable GBP 17.99.

    EDIT: woops myaigros beat me to it!
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/08 @ 10:14

  • Les #6 3 years ago

    Shame that Play uses its own Euro/Pound rate and it rarely works out for the benefit of the consumer... Mark-up is probably for shipping though. But still, 25 euro is quite pricey for a keypad.

  • spookyzombie #7 3 years ago

    It looks hideous.

  • kangarootoo #8 3 years ago

    Its clearly not designed to be used if writing a novel is your thing. If you have a lot of writing to do, get a normal keyboard. But if you just want a better way to enter names and so on, this seems like a decent alternative.

  • septimus #9 3 years ago

    Seems okay. The chatpad on the 360 I find a little cumbersome once attached to the pad, can't imagine this is much better, but saves me grabbing the BT keyboard when I need to type something quickly.

  • tobsen #10 3 years ago

    So whats the release date for the headset?

  • onezeonx #11 3 years ago

    my god it really does look silly

    the 360 chatpad works great......but to have it above seems silly

  • zedzee #12 3 years ago

    Oh dear...The PS3 story goes from bad to worse.

  • TheLittlestHobo #13 3 years ago

    Don't you squares know, on top is the new underneath. Underneath was so last season.

  • Rirekon #14 3 years ago

    Had no problems getting used to using the 360 chat pad, it's actually in a fairly sensible position for typing while holding the pad normally. I can't see how having the keyboard above the pad will work though, it looks seriously inconvenient there...

    I do like the touch-pad feature though... hope MS steal that ;)

  • Widge #15 3 years ago

    Zedzee:
    [link url=http://gamers.eurogamer.net/user_profile.php ?user_id=65177&tab=forum
    ]http://ga mers.eurogamer.net/user_profile...[/link]
    loving PS3 threads since FOREVER

  • andijames #16 3 years ago

    @zedzee

    How the hell is it going from bad to worse? A keyboard doesn't hold the life of the PS3 in it's hands.

  • SeesThroughAll #17 3 years ago

    Looking at his post history, zedzee is just yer average troll. Ignore him.

  • Widge #18 3 years ago

    ZedZee, comment credibility going from bad to worse

  • andijames #19 3 years ago

    TBH i think this will be useful coupled together with the bluetooth headset. I'll no longer send a quick message saying "game" to my mate when i want a game of FIFA when he's online and then only be able to talk on the phone after matches. Improved ability to communicate can only be a good thing i think.

  • Chimpanzee #20 3 years ago

    @BravoGolf: How do you propose they take screenshots of a piece of hardware?

  • Amphlett #21 3 years ago

    I'm surprised that no one has put two and two together regarding the keypad launch date... What PS3 application would be well suited to having an easy method of text entry, something which needs fairly quick typing? HOME anyone?

  • andijames #22 3 years ago

    @Amphlett

    And the wireless headset comes out on this day too..

    27th Nov = Thurs. 28th = Friday launch of keypad and headset.

    Thurs download for home maybe? Well spotted :)

  • phoenixology #23 3 years ago

    I imagine it will be hard to use being positioned on top.

    The 360 chatpad you can actually use with your thumbs whilst keeping your hands in the same position and it's designed so well that it doesn't get in the way.
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/08 @ 11:53

  • canIdoyabombsforya #24 3 years ago

    So whats wrong with using a normal keyboard?
    If this was coming from Nintendo they'd get slated on here.

  • RedPanda #25 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • Beano #26 3 years ago

    "How the hell is it going from bad to worse?"

    I was wondering that myself. Seems like a good solution for those who do not want a standard keyboard+mouse (which is cheap and supported by the PS3) and have on-screen keyboard.

    The placement above the controller seems a bit weird though - but moving the hands slightly to type seems possible.

    @Amphlett : I agree - seems like preparation for Home :)
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/08 @ 12:30

  • andijames #27 3 years ago

    If they placed it below i think the shift in weight would cause problems in holding the pad. Maybe putting it above was the only solution?

  • NinjaWilliams #28 3 years ago

    TWO WORDS: Qauitly Assuarance!

  • Jaybles #29 3 years ago

    The touchpad is the keyboard.
    The keyboard letters double up as a touchpad. Pretty nifty.

    For anyone complaining about position. hold a PS3 controller and try and comfortably use your thumbs to move around where the keypad would be if located underneath.
    Whereas if you change you grip slightly higher it is easy to go above the controller.

  • Arwin #30 3 years ago

    Apparently Sony allows it to be used for games. I doubt it will happen, but how awesome would it be if the MMOs or even Red Alert 3 (if it does end up being released for PS3) would support this touchpad/keyboard combo ... would be great for it.

    25 euros is an acceptable price for me. I do already have a nice BT keyboard though (dinovo) so I'm not 100% sure I actually need it yet. ;)
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/08 @ 13:38

  • makeamazing #31 3 years ago

    Not sure if I would get this as i dont need to use typing much... havent got any online PS3 friends...lol

    But it looks ok, I think its the best solution without actually getting a keyboard, which to be honest would be a hassle to put somewhere in the living room (for me anyway)...

  • Sulphur_Man #32 3 years ago

    Ordered one, purely to abuse fellow Everybody's Golfers.

  • andijames #33 3 years ago

    Yep, ordered one along with headset which comes out the same day.

  • berelain #34 3 years ago

    £25 seems a tad pricey (tho £18 aint so bad) when you consider that the £24 Xbox chatpad thing mostlyl the same stuff and included a headset too.

    Putting it above the controller just seems horribly uncomfortable and awkward to reach, though.

  • Beano #35 3 years ago

    "Putting it above the controller just seems horribly uncomfortable and awkward to reach, though."

    I just tried Jaybles' suggestion - placing it above the controller actually seems like the best place. Grab a PS3 controller and try yourself ;)

  • aphexstwin #36 3 years ago

    can i add a comment about just looking at something and immediatly saying fugly or how the fuck is that going to work?

    christ i wish people in here would expand those tiny, microsoft soaked brains and realise there is other ways to do things other than those professed by gates.

    so, i thank jaybles for standing ahead of the murk and proving that just one or two eg readers have the intelligence to grasp a situation properly.

  • Jdoki #37 3 years ago

    Does anyone know the following:

    Does this use the mini USB port on the controller for power/connectivity - or simply clip on to the controller.

    I'm assuming it uses the mini USB port, but it would be handy if it could be used separately, or tethered via a USB cable.

    Was just wondering as I like the lightweight SIXAXIS / DS3 and not keen to add bulk to it; also wondering if battery life is impacted much.

  • andijames #38 3 years ago

    I think it piggybacks the power from the pad yes otherwise it would need charging itself but i can't see the weight being an issue as it's placed above it so should counter-balance the weight in the pad nicely (DS3)

  • Jaybles #39 3 years ago

    aww im feeling a bit of love in this thread now :)

    But yea people really need to think a bit more before talking.
    PS3 and XBOX controllers although similar are different in design and are held slightly different.
    Dont think that sony just thought "we dont want to copy microsoft, so we will put it on top"

    Companies like this spend thousands on ergonomics.
    They will have tested many different shapes and positions.

    And if you take the time to examine how your hands fit onto the controller you will see that shifting upwards is alot more comfortable than down on the PS3 controllers.
    Edited by 1 at 18/11/08 @ 19:14

  • Skire #40 3 years ago

    wow that's really cheap! interesting piece of hardware

  • Law07 #41 3 years ago

    Definately thinking about this. Would work I hate having to move my keyboard with me.

  • aristotel #42 3 years ago

    I ordered mine from Play.com already...coming at the same day the SOCOM's BT headset! :o)

  • Corben_Dallas #43 3 years ago

    Yes but does it get a pic in the article EG?/?????!!!!

    well?

    I thinks not EG.... i thinks not.
    :|