Leaked Xbox 360 keyboard controller attachment, Voltron jealous

53 Comments by Kevin Kelly Apr 8th 2007 8:38PM
Filed under: Culture, Hacks, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

[Update: It's official. More information and higher resolution pics of the rendering here.]

With Gamespot and other sites leaking details about the upcoming Dashboard updates to the 360, you've gotta wonder how text messaging between the 360 and Windows users will work. Typing out even the briefest of messages using the 360 Controller is a lesson in patience; it's easier to record and send a voice message than it is to hammer out "LOL WRU?" on that thing. Enter this Xbox 360 snap-on qwerty keyboard attachment -- conveniently also leaked (and now pulled) by Gamespot -- which will be available in the summer for an unknown price. Luckily Engadget snagged some shots before they disappeared into the ether. One more after the break.

Tags: attachment, Dashboard, IM, keyboard, texting, TID

Source

(Page 1) Reader Comments

yeah_right: Apr 8th 2007; 8:51PM

I think that's a green and RED button probably for the basic confirm/cancel actions as it would be a bit of a nuisance to switch up to the regular face buttons everytime during longer chat sessions.

Core_12: Apr 8th 2007; 8:52PM

Well duh, look at the keys, they have alternate symbols in green and orange... now I wonder what those green and orange buttons do... hmm... could they... oh I know, perhaps they're used to get those alt symbols!? >_>

Dan: Apr 8th 2007; 8:53PM

If you look at the letters you can see green and orange characters on them, I would imagine that the orange and green buttons work like a shift key for those characters.

Sidepocket: Apr 8th 2007; 8:55PM

This is more WTF than Sony combined.

First off, it has a Headset. WTF is this used for in gaming?

Also, if you really need a keyboard, then why not universal USB patch for any USB Keyboard? PS2 did this, WTF?

Microsoft!!!! >,

dixonij: Apr 8th 2007; 9:00PM

@ Sidepocket

I believe that this could be used for the upcoming crossplatform/PC games. Not all PC gamers will have headsets and this could be put out there to give the platform gamers a chance to type so people will have a choice of chat input.

TheHostileDwarf: Apr 8th 2007; 9:00PM

Rumor has it that it will retail for $179.99.

Neoxkc: Apr 8th 2007; 9:00PM

@ Sidepocket

WTF, the dashboard update is supposedly adding MSN messenger support, it would be a bitch to type on the on screen keyboard for that.

causeofdeath: Apr 8th 2007; 9:01PM

thats a photoshop job. albeit, not a bad one. but shouldnt there be a headphone jack at the downside of the keybord? or am i supposed to swap it with my headset? that would suck!

Jonny McCormack: Apr 8th 2007; 9:01PM

Hmmm, I'm a bit sceptical about this. The mic port for example, isn't a compatible one for the 360 microphone...

I call BS/Photoshop!

Kevin: Apr 8th 2007; 9:02PM

Dang, I totally spaced on the alt-key functions, even though I have a Sidekick. Nice call, guys.

KLind: Apr 8th 2007; 9:05PM

http://www.joystiq.com/2005/07/29/xbox-360-gonna-have-a-qwerty-controller/

The picture may be fake, but the product is real.

ahigee: Apr 8th 2007; 9:13PM

The green and orange are probably for mute/unmute since the headset input is a single jack versus a wide jack.....then again a single jack would mean the headset sold would not fit it. So either this is an early concept or it's a fake.

quazi: Apr 8th 2007; 9:20PM

some of you are idiots. of course its a mock, up of a real product.the 360 supports usb keyboards already but for some like me i dont like having a full keyboard near my 360 since it sits on top of my tv.i want this attachment.

Paul Roberts: Apr 8th 2007; 9:32PM

This was confirmed in the Mexican representation in summer of 05.

http://media.teamxbox.com/dailyposts/xbox360/rumor/es_slide_01.jpg

Patrick: Apr 8th 2007; 9:33PM

meh, not for me but whateva, more functionality is never a bad thing. You see, when the 360 came out it was half baked, but for me, it was fully baked. I know that all these features will standard in the next iteration of xbox (720?) anyway, back to Crackdown!

makeseven: Apr 8th 2007; 9:34PM

gosh some people are KILLING me. ever since the msn talk and this new keyboard attachment people rant "WTFZ0RZ! Y CANT 1 H@V3 USB K3YB0RED????!!!!!!!!!!!1ONE"

im sorry im so upset, but i see people bitch about this all the time, but none of them realize YOU CAN USE A USB KEYBOARD AND YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SINCE LAUNCH!!

[deep breath]

anyways, cool idea, i might consider it if it isnt overpriced like the rest of the 360 peripherals, but i would rather use a USB Keyboard.

Jordan Hass: Apr 8th 2007; 9:35PM

I am going off a limb here, and saying the keyboard accessory is an April Fools Prank, but if it turns out to be true, it will be when Microsoft gets a browser for web access.

Gavin: Apr 8th 2007; 9:38PM

"First off, it has a Headset. WTF is this used for in gaming?"

MMO type games would be the most obvious use for this type of contoller. Take for example the upcomming Marvel game that will be both on the PC and 360. Trying to chat on a keyboard and handle a keyboard at the same time would be a bit much to juggle, but would be a bit easier.

Nyko makes something like this for the PS2:

http://www.netpcdirect.co.uk/images/ps2_itype2.jpg

velocitystrike: Apr 8th 2007; 9:41PM

Why would it be an April Fools prank a week later?

Smacksmackums: Apr 8th 2007; 9:45PM

Looks kinda cool, but not all that necessary.

If they bring this out they need to do a browser too. DO A BROWSER MICROSOFT!!! JUST GET IT OVER WITH!!

Daryl: Apr 8th 2007; 9:56PM

Sold! Quite sleek.

Jack: Apr 8th 2007; 9:57PM

I'd rather use the regular controller and a USB keyboard.

nick: Apr 8th 2007; 9:57PM

Yeah, we heard about this pre-launch from a Microsoft presentation in Spain. Plus, assuming communication is possible with Messenger (via the Spring update), this then makes a lot of sense for those who want to text with friends.

This only thing that strikes me as odd, is 'summer' release, considering the update to make it possible is Spring. Why force everyone to wait a few additional months?

But then again, Microsoft released downloadable movies/TV before many months before finally announcing a larger hard drive. So maybe they enjoy making us wait.

Anonymous: Apr 8th 2007; 10:01PM

Man if the keyboard is thin enough the headset would plug in.

will: Apr 8th 2007; 10:04PM

Have you used the browser for the PS3? It's really not all that it's cracked up to be. Plus, browsers just open the doors for hacks and such - a nono for MS.

dsub: Apr 8th 2007; 10:04PM

this is stupid and pointless. nothing else needs to be said.

Montana: Apr 8th 2007; 10:05PM

With all respect - this is completely useless and a load of crap, look at that thing, it makes the controller useless as a controller. People forget that the 360 supports a USB keyboard, if they want to type out messages to contacts that will be the solution, or a separate keyboard accessory, but not that brick.

Bangbang...: Apr 8th 2007; 10:14PM

The xbox 360 supports both wired and wireless usb keyboards , so wtf is this for?

moominsean: Apr 8th 2007; 10:16PM

shades of jaguar...or intellivision.

city: Apr 8th 2007; 10:19PM

Ugh it looks just like the Atari Jaguar controller.

Al2x: Apr 8th 2007; 10:20PM

I actually think this is a pretty awesome idea. It's better than having a USB cord running from your 360 or any console for that matter. But, I do like having wireless bluetooth 'boards with my PS3 :)

Oshi: Apr 8th 2007; 10:23PM

"Man if the keyboard is thin enough the headset would plug in."

Impossible, considering it would be using the two jacks on each side of the headphone jack to actually plug into the controller and transmit keystrokes.
The headset just has plastic bits that fill those in and don't use them; Also I'm sure they'll add holes next to the headset jack for those bits to go in, as not shown in this concept art.

Though I have a USB keyboard, I'd still want one of these if I'm going to be responding to IMs in the middle of a gaming session.
Then again, I pause the game and do that on my computer anyway...
Still, looks pretty slick to me. Hope it's not too heavy.

aki: Apr 8th 2007; 10:28PM

that rules. i want one.

dsub: Apr 8th 2007; 10:55PM

"I actually think this is a pretty awesome idea. It's better than having a USB cord running from your 360 or any console for that matter. But, I do like having wireless bluetooth 'boards with my PS3 :)"

too bad almost all bluetooth keyboards include a USB bluetooth transmitter, so basically any logitech or MS bluetooth keyboard you buy will also work with the 360.

ill trooper: Apr 8th 2007; 10:57PM

Pretty awesome. No need to leave the bed. Except for sodas, of course. But it does look like the 360 controller is going to start feeling like a big heavy hamburger in your hands... Which reminds me of soda again.

samfish: Apr 8th 2007; 11:03PM

Even though it looks like something made by Playskool, I've got to admit that looks kinda cool.

Assuming it isn't suffering from a form over function problem, that's a pretty good solution to the lack of keyboards on consoles issue.
...although it'd be cooler if the mini keyboard slide out from the back.

shivr: Apr 8th 2007; 11:04PM

At some point, you just gotta ask youself... why not just use a PC?

Travis: Apr 8th 2007; 11:07PM

i lol'd

Cuja: Apr 9th 2007; 12:03AM

If web browsing ever comes about, this would be nice setup across the room.

why not the LS2LS7?: Apr 9th 2007; 1:32AM

The heaviest (current) game controller gets even heavier.

Ironhide: Apr 9th 2007; 1:58AM

Since I do have a usb keyboard hooked up to my 360 one might think this is worthless to me. I have to get up and walk over to the keyboard to respond to messages, so by having this right on the controller lets me use a thumb keyboard without taking me away from the game as it were.

OhJustSomeRandomGuy: Apr 9th 2007; 2:09AM

That looks like the result of a Fisher Price Speak 'N Spell banging a 360 controller.

Mogul218: Apr 9th 2007; 2:22AM

40. The heaviest (current) game controller gets even heavier.

Posted at 1:32AM on Apr 9th 2007 by why not the LS2/LS7?

Do you even own a 360? If so, you must have limp wrists. I'll take this over the 10 year old PS3 design any day.

J: Apr 9th 2007; 2:31AM

We all know about forming voltronwith the friggin segaCD/Genesis/32X. I was hoping that would be behind us a little by now. THey should have just made a regular keyboard that you could hook up with a wire. A tiny one isn't gonna do anything but piss me off when I use the controller. The wii seriously should have a full sized keyboard attached to the wiimote. Mouse and keyboard anyone?

TheChrispy: Apr 9th 2007; 7:08AM

OMG! One word: World of Warcraft on Xbox 360. Okay that's like 6 words.

Anonymous: Apr 9th 2007; 7:41AM

I can't find a use for this thing at all. They should have implemented on the fly voice IM'ing instead of "Send Voice Message" back and forth, or joining a room with your friend. If this thing were in the form of a full qwerty keyboard that I could wirelessly type on, then I'd have a use (people sleeping late at night, would be cool to still be able to communicate with other players on some games, instead of staying silent like a noob while others strategize)

Almost noone is going to buy this thing. I hope they don't do any mass advertising for it

Jack of No Trades: Apr 9th 2007; 8:33AM

"Almost noone is going to buy this thing. I hope they don't do any mass advertising for it"

Isn't it great that MS caters to the minority. Even though this might not sell well they still want to make those few people happy. MS is a great company. I love em.