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.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
29 comments | showing # 1 to 29
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
5:54 AM on 05.22.2007
| 
I didnt know they made those... interesting. WTF would you use it for? (gamecube keyboard, WTF?)
ROFLOMGWTFP0NI3S
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.
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.
M$ thinks it's safe enough for me to use Live Messenger on my computer though.
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.
If I ever get into another console MMO. i might pick one of those lil guys up
Plus, that message light on the TID will be very useful, I'm sure.
Just remember to unplug it after you're done if it's backlit or terrible things may happen.