Shortly after announcing a new snap on wireless keypad for the Playstation 3, Sony has released the full spec sheet for the device, which they say is going to be introduced worldwide this holiday season.

The peripheral will hit North America in late November and in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of the year. The Bluetooth-enabled device will support all typing on the Playstation 3, including text chatting in Home and LittleBigPlanet support.

The keypad includes two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, letting users jump to pre-set features on the XMB such as Friends screen and Message Box during game play. Finally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to maneuver the pointer while web browsing by sliding their fingers around the keypad surface.

No price has yet been announced, but the full specs and release are on the jump.

Wireless Keypad for PLAYSTATION®3 to Be Introduced This Holiday Season Worldwide

TOKYO, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS™ and DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.

The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation®Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.

Equipped with Bluetooth® functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.

More and more exclusive software titles that will support text chat feature are scheduled for release towards the end of the year including LittleBigPlanet™ (SCEI).

SCEI will vigorously promote various measures to introduce new entertainment world that can be further enriched through the network, including PlayStation Home.

Release date and price of this product will be announced later in each region.

Wireless Keypad Product Overview
Product Name Wireless Keypad
Product Code CECHZK1JP (For Japanese market)
Product Color Black
Hardware Specification Weight : Approx 60g
Voltage: DC 3.7V
Operating Temperature:
5 degrees C ~ 35 degrees C
Built-in Bluetooth® Ver.2.0
Keypad Layout: QWERTY layout
Battery Specification Built-in Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
Battery
Battery Capacity: 610mAh

source

I like this a lot and will definitely be picking one up as soon as I can.  

This post was last modified: 08-25-2008 12:18 PM by gft77.

Holy gaudy add on Batman!

Oh my goodness, that's exactly what I feared... it's on the top. It looks 20x better than the 360 keyboard attachment and looks like it functions better as well, but damn it it's on the top. Maybe it'll still be comfortable and practical, I'll wait for someone to use it so at least I can get a general idea of how it feels.

Cool, I'd like it on top, so it won't touch my arms when using the controller. I may get this.

You would like it on top. :/

This post was last modified: 08-20-2008 04:23 PM by Ricky.

yeah cus that's gonna be real easy to fire off a message on,
at least you can thumb type on the 360 messenger pad.
anyone have any idea how to use this one,

do you rest it on your knee and try typing on it?
or hold it in one hand and single finger type.

If you have big hands or long thumbs, it should not be a problem, I have small hands and stubby thumbs, but I'm still getting it.

The keyboard attachment is said to cost $49.99, with a release date of November 30th...according to Destructoid.com

thats a slamdunk at that price, very cool practical add-on

hey we wii-owners are getting wrist straps in pretty colors...jealous?

I agree drew, I like it and it should be very handy for games like LittleBigPlanet

btw Circuit City got something like 15 Wii's in on Sunday, and by closing at 7pm, there was still 5 left...has the buzz started to die down?

This post was last modified: 08-25-2008 01:46 PM by gft77.

could be, probably so...holidays are coming though, it has at least one more sold out xmas season left

i better start saving my pennies for a ps3...

no...not really.

I don't really like the design. I know what's it's good for, but as someone else mentioned it is on top of the controller...

that was sarcasm

This post was last modified: 08-25-2008 03:20 PM by drew102e.

...but I already bought a keyboard

I got a cheap USB one in PC World for €9. Does the job, cable's a bit short though...

This post was last modified: 08-25-2008 03:55 PM by TheCosmicFrog.

Sony's PlayStation 3 wireless keypad now available for pre-order

Hey, remember that totally bodacious PlayStation 3 wireless keypad we told you about last week? Well if you do -- and you should -- you'll be pleased to know that you can now pre-order the $49.99 accessory at Amazon. Sure, you'll still have to wait till November 30th to get your hands and fingertips on the thing, but at least you can sleep at night, safe in the knowledge that it has your name on it.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/25/sonys...pre-order/

I was actually thinking of getting a headset instead, I'd rather still he playing and talking to people at the same time, I got killed a few times on MGO when I was typing in a message, but I also killed a few guys when they were making a message.

Surely you'd be better off with your mic then and using that to chat rather than the keypad?.. That way you don't get killed yet you still gain kills when other suckers are busy typing to their friends?
A win win situation for Kasaioni.

Bleh, both this and the XBox one are pretty hideous. But I'll probably pick it up with my PS3 come Christmas time anyway just because I can. Hopefully that price isn't in American dollars, if so it's going to be murder to buy one over here.

The 360's works pretty well, but I can use it without moving my hands on the controller. This one looks like have to adjust how you are holding it to type (unless you have mutant long thumbs).

Something to remember also, just because this is has a preorder price on Amazon.com for $49.99 doesn't mean it will actually be at that price, it might actually be cheaper.