Keyboard attachment en route for Xbox 360 controllers

360 News | Like a glove.

Typing with an analogue stick is not fun. The Xbox 360 does feature USB keyboard support, but that involves extra cords, peripherals - and it takes away from the wireless, sleek look of the controller. Going hand-in-hand with the upcoming Dashboard update, Microsoft has also leaked information on a new Xbox 360 controller attachment. The device is a miniature keyboard, allowing quick access for typing simple messages.

Like the Xbox Live headset, the keyboard attachment will slot into the middle of the controller. The design allows for a completely streamlined look, with all the grooves and curves of the controller taken into account. The key layout is the traditional QWERTY format, with every button fitting snugly in an admittedly small space. Seems to be a viable alternative for the compact typist, so we'll have some insight into the full functionality when we get our hot little hands on a complete unit.

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33 Comments

Grandtheft88

5 years ago

awesome.... sorta looks a bit funny... but thats fine with me if it makes it easier for Xbox 360 owners!

admeister

5 years ago

Interesting idea, but I think it looks rather silly!

Quote

The Xbox 360 does feature USB keyboard support, but that involves extra cords, peripherals - and it takes away from the wireless, sleek look of the controller.

You could always use a wireless keyboard.

That's what I do with my PS3, it's no hassle at all.

The Brett

5 years ago

ANY ACE VENTURA REFERENCE IS A WIN IN MY BOOKS.

Re controller: Good to see that Microsoft have drafted their own in-house fan mock-up division.

Bitchacho

5 years ago

Wtf does this have to do with Cel Shading Salads with Photoshop?

seany

5 years ago

Awesome. Must have with Messenger coming. I just bought a cheap Logitech keyboard for my PS3 and 360 so when I am typing messages it is quicker. I will buy this attachment.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

You realise those pictures are just 3D renders Brett?

The Brett

5 years ago

No, no I didn't.

So I'm just going to assume Microsoft'll just release a full-size keyboard super-glued to a the bottom of a 360.

arbok

5 years ago

stupid.

MS should just release a small wireless keyboard.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

The Brett wrote

No, no I didn't.

So I'm just going to assume Microsoft'll just release a full-size keyboard super-glued to a the bottom of a 360.

It's a thumb-board that attaches to the headset port on the "back" of the controller. Kinda like PDA thumb-board.

LeonJ

5 years ago

Keyboard on controller = World of Warcraft.

doofus

5 years ago

I wonder if this will work on Vista PC's (like the controller itself does)?

Sin Ogaris

5 years ago

doofus wrote

I wonder if this will work on Vista PC's (like the controller itself does)?

Um... this could just be me but isn't a keyboard attached to a controller a little redundant in terms of PC gaming? Sure I can understand for the Xbox 360 it's a Godsend, but for Vista?

Bitchacho

5 years ago

The Brett wrote

No, no I didn't.

So I'm just going to assume Microsoft'll just release a full-size keyboard super-glued to a the bottom of a 360.

Or a full sized keyboard with the controller on either side:

ittekimasu

5 years ago

if it plugs into the mic guess you can simultaneously chat at the same time huh?

zissou

5 years ago

Mitchacho wrote

Now THAT's a keyboard

Spanca

5 years ago

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamerscore/sets/72157600058725367/
Proper pics of the real attachment, both on and off the controller.

Klawrence

5 years ago

arbok wrote

stupid.

MS should just release a small wireless keyboard.

Stupid?

did you even look at the pictures? Looks small and wireless to me.

Kaboth

5 years ago

I think its awesome. You can type at an adequate speed by the looks of things without having to put your Xbox 360 controller aside to pick up a separate wireless keyboard.

I think LeonJ has the right idea. This is probably the trigger that was needed for WoW on 360 to become a reality, not to mention a host of other MMORPGs. But Microsoft needs to get this peripheral widely distributed among gamers first.

Jim Dash

5 years ago

But USB Keyboard is supported? I'm in!

ugh the boot

5 years ago

I actually think it's really cool. It's small and wireless, it looks like it slots in quite comfortably into the controller and it actually looks nice and fits the whole style of the controller. I'd much rather have that than a full keyboard because I don't play my consoles on a desk....I lie down in bed.

Zarnoss

5 years ago

Hmm wonder if there will be an 'Elite' version that is similar to a G15 keyboard?(LCD display)

Now how awesome would that be!

arbok

5 years ago

Klawrence wrote

arbok wrote

stupid.

MS should just release a small wireless keyboard.

Stupid?

did you even look at the pictures? Looks small and wireless to me.

it just doesn't look practical to me. Do I hold the controller with both hands and type with my thumbs? what about all the people with small hands and thumbs who can't reach the keys. how fast can you type with two thumbs anyways? I suppose its an improvement on the on screen keyboard but not that much better.

Or perhaps its faster to type with one hand while one hand holds the controller, but thats just not intuitive.

Why don't they just release a small wireless fully functional USB keyboard. And a mouse while they are at it, Then all those RTS games that simply aren't playable with a control pad and now be played. Not everyone has a high end PC to play those games.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

People use devices like this all the time. PDAs with thumb-boards, Side-kicks and smart phones with qwerty keyboards.

ugh the boot

5 years ago

There is this if you wanna play all your games on 360 using keyboard or mouse:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/xcm-xfps-xbox-360-keyboardmouse-adapter-available-now-223087.php

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