Xbox 360 QWERTY thumb keyboard is official

Xbox 360 QWERTY thumb keyboard is official

I've always wondered "how the Microsoft people expect us to type with a gaming pad without a keyboard". Now it makes sense to have a messenger on XBox 360.

The years old rumors of a QWERTY Xbox controller are true. Microsoft is finally launching a QWERTY thumb keyboard for the Xbox 360, a welcome addition for those of us who don't want yet another keyboard sitting around in our living room. Unfortunately, this officially marks the point where the Xbox 360 just has too many peripherals, and starts to look a bit like it's grubbing. Still, if you want to use the Dashboard's new chat features you'll probably want to get one of these up right quick. The details you need to know:

  • The thumb keyboard plugs into the headphone on the bottom of the controller. It comes bundled with its own headset, since it doesn't pass the signal through, and cannot work with current accessories.
  • The keyboard is backlit; the chat bubble icon in the photos will be an MSN Messenger icon.
  • It will be released in the Summer 2007.
  • No word on the price though.
  • Practicly, it is nice, but it's a bit heavy with all the rest of the weight on the 360 controller including the rechargable batteries.

Posted: 1:23 p.m. EST April 8, 2007 by me ts