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Xbox 360 Chatpad UK date

Same for new controller colours.

What with all the excitement at last week's Microsoft conference (let us not forget Viva Piñata: Party Animals), you'll forgive us for not picking up on this one instantly, but the platform holder also slipped out some lower-key peripheral announcements - a release date for the Xbox 360 Chatpad and the promise of some new Xbox controller colours.

The Chatpad - better known as the horn-rimmed Xbox 360 Text Input Device - forms part of the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, due out in the UK on 7th September, priced GBP 24.99, and in the US a day earlier at USD 29.99. It clips on to an Xbox 360 controller and allows you to take advantage of the console's new Live Messenger features for instant-messaging without having to resort to the on-screen keyboard. The Messenger Kit also includes the ubiquitous Xbox 360 Headset. For talking.

Meanwhile, wireless Xbox 360 controllers are set to be offered in pink, dark blue and light blue colour schemes starting in October, here and across the Atlantic. Each will retail for GBP 32.99 / USD 49.99, and you can get a look at one of the blue ones over at Xbox.com.