New wireless PS3 keypad hopes to make communication a doddle

by Steven Williamson on 21 August 2008, 15:02

Tags: Sony Computers Entertainment Europe (NYSE:SNE), PS3

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Attaches to SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3

Alongside Sony's other big Games Convention announcements this year, which include the new PSP 3000, a 160 GB PS3 and a whole host of Playstation Network titles, comes news of a wireless keyboard peripheral that attaches to either the SIXAXIS or DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers.

As you can see from the photo below, the pad clips onto the controller via a USB cable and eliminates the need to use the on-screen keyboard. It will support text chat in Playstation Home and should make communication easier.

Equipped with Bluetooth functionality, the pad has two shortcut buttons, a communication Button and a Message Box Button, that Sony tell us will allow users "to jump to pre-set features on XMB (XrossMediaBar) such as “Friends” and “Message Box” during game play."

There's also a touch pad button allowing you to slide your finger across the surface, which should come in handy for web browsing.

Sony has also confirmed that a number of software titles will also support the pad, including the upcoming Little Big Planet.


The keypad will be released in North America in late November with a European release before Christmas.

Check out the specification sheet overleaf...