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QWERTY QWERTY: Hands on details of Microsoft's Chatpad photo

The guys over at Gaming Nexus were able to get their mitts on Microsoft's upcoming gadget, the rubbishly named Chatpad. While not the final version, the peripheral tested was pretty close to the version you'll be able to buy when it's released during the summer. By all accounts (this account), early impressions are positive.

Fitting in very snugly and not heavy enough to cause imbalance to the controller, the GN fellas propose this is something you can snap on and leave on. The keys are backlit, which leeches the batteries, but only while you're typing. Thankfully, the backlight doesn't perpetually glow like Kelsey Grammar's floating head.

For any of you who use Live Messenger on your 360 (anyone?), this is something you'll want to be looking at. Click the above link for some more up close pictures of the adorable little keyboard and Nexus' full impressions. 


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30 comments | showing # 1 to 30

nipsta203's Avatar
nipsta203 at 05/22/2007 07:03
man it looks kinda chuky but it fits nicely unlike people trying do this with ps2 controller =fail im sure gonna get one i stay on the web im a spider see first commnet !
Kif 's Avatar
Kif at 05/22/2007 07:21
If I want to send someone a text message on XBL, I'll use the XBL website. Sorry Microsoft, this is one product I won't be buying from you.
Demios's Avatar
Demios at 05/22/2007 07:43
any info on a price?
jimstyle's Avatar
jimstyle at 05/22/2007 07:57
It may be comfortable and functional in use, but it seems almost farcical from a visual standpoint.
lAboMbA's Avatar
lAboMbA at 05/22/2007 08:04
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar
RICHARD BLOCKER at 05/22/2007 08:20
I was excited about this untill I realized I should just set my laptop on a small table by my chair and use xbox.com. Also, MSN messenger is useless with the XBox. my friends and I ue other IM's while on XBL. its just easier/quicker.
TC101's Avatar
TC101 at 05/22/2007 08:21
could be worse...

Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 05/22/2007 08:23
LOL TC101

I didnt know they made those... interesting. WTF would you use it for? (gamecube keyboard, WTF?)
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 05/22/2007 08:42
snail I believe its chief use was administering beatdowns to whoever bought one by the more popular kids
BlindsideDork's Avatar
BlindsideDork at 05/22/2007 09:15
well there was that Phantasy Star Online game........umm, that's it?
Snaileb 's Avatar
Snaileb at 05/22/2007 09:19
I thought it was just for a online forum simulator game.

ROFLOMGWTFP0NI3S
BluDesign's Avatar
BluDesign at 05/22/2007 09:40
Too bad they didn't port Typing of the Dead to the GC. That would've justified it, I guess.

Was I the only one who had a Dreamcast Keyboard?

If so, then there were obvious perks to knowing the Gamestop assistant manager in 1999.
Howard Moon's Avatar
Howard Moon at 05/22/2007 10:05
they aren't going to use this thing in actual games are they?
FireofEvil's Avatar
FireofEvil at 05/22/2007 10:08
I was right all along! soon they'll let you play with WASD, then they'll just throw away the rest of the controller and give you the good old keyb+mouse.
Crackhippo's Avatar
Crackhippo at 05/22/2007 11:20
this thing will probably sell very well in Canada, cuz almost everyone up here uses MSN messenger.
Truepatriot's Avatar
Truepatriot at 05/22/2007 11:28
@Snaileb

they made that for phantasy star online.same reason GC had a modem (56k and broadband)peripheral.

i do want this thing for when another 360 mmo comes out that i want.would be easier than juggling a full keyboard.
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff at 05/22/2007 12:21
I would love to use Live Messenger on my 360, but apparently I am too young (17 years old) to use it!

M$ thinks it's safe enough for me to use Live Messenger on my computer though.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 05/22/2007 12:29
if they start building chat functionality into games (possibly for those without mics) or just for simple hot keying and chat purposes, i will definitely get one.

imagine if you could use the keyboard to hot key items in an rpg or mmo, just like a pc. or even just send simple text messages in lobbies and stuff if you don't have a mic, though i know there aren't many users who don't.

i definitely see a market for this if ms utilizes it properly. until they do, though, i am not in that market.
Netik09's Avatar
Netik09 at 05/22/2007 12:40
I could get some use out of this for sure. It's better than having my USB keyboard and it's freakishly ugly umbilical cord dragging on my living room floor. Now I'm wondering about the cost? Twenty bucks?
BritiniMartini's Avatar
BritiniMartini at 05/22/2007 13:20
God... I need one of these NOW. messenger is so damn annoying right now without it. And some people are too dunce to understand that "I'm on my box" means... "I'm typing from my xbox so you need to stfu plz" and they just keep typing... >.<
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar
ArrestedDeveloper at 05/22/2007 13:36
It makes the controller look like the old Duke controller.
Rainbowblack's Avatar
Rainbowblack at 05/22/2007 14:19
I used to use one of these when playing the PS2 version of Everquest, It fit snugly in my lap. and i dont regret the purchase one bit. especially since you can snap off the KB and hook it up to your 360 like I did.



If I ever get into another console MMO. i might pick one of those lil guys up
bobthecat23's Avatar
bobthecat23 at 05/22/2007 14:26
imm if its 20 i might buy it
Joe Burling's Avatar
Joe Burling at 05/22/2007 15:14
I'm very excited about this one. Having to pull aside a full keyboard, wireless or no, would be too much of a hassle. I love Live because of how quick and easy it is to do everything. This will compliment Live very well. Plus, I'll be able to easily send a message without moving to my pc, using the onscreen keyboard, or having to interrupt a chat just to send a voice message.

Plus, that message light on the TID will be very useful, I'm sure.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 05/22/2007 17:08
If the 360 had an internet exploder on it, I guess this would sell. IDK, I'm just gonna use a usb keyboard, or doesn't that work? I like the Bluetooth keyboard on my ps3.
Netik09's Avatar
Netik09 at 05/22/2007 17:15
I don't own a PS3 but that Bluetooth keyboard sounds kick ass. I want one.
Netik09's Avatar
Netik09 at 05/22/2007 17:16
What's an internet exploder? Sounds violent.
emotaku's Avatar
emotaku at 05/22/2007 17:49
And yes, a usb keyboard works identical.

Just remember to unplug it after you're done if it's backlit or terrible things may happen.
nipsta203's Avatar
nipsta203 at 05/22/2007 19:45
this can be used in games
jeffstart's Avatar
jeffstart at 05/23/2007 15:44
No one I know uses Live Messenger--and I know some people.
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