Microsoft chatpad and Halo 3 accessories next week

48 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Aug 31st 2007 6:45PM
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

Next week Microsoft kicks off their month of Halo by finally releasing the ~~chatpad~~ messenger kit (includes chatpad and headset) and the Halo 3 wireless controllers with art designed by Todd McFarlane. The messenger kit will retail for $30 and the Halo 3 controllers will be $60. Microsoft will also start selling the Halo 3 wireless headset for $60 as well.

Oh chatpad, you will bring joy to the thousands of people out there that just can't use their voice to send a message, because as we all know, typing is such a faster form of communication than a simple voicemail. Actually, it's a nice deal for someone who may be vocal cord impaired or has completely lost their mind trying to type a message with the analog stick -- or lost their mind insisting to only type messages with the analog stick. It serves a purpose in the grand scheme ... unlike those stupid Wiimote add-ons.

Gallery: Halo 3 Controllers and Headset

Tags: chatpad, halo3, messengerkit, xbox360

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Ganrob: Aug 31st 2007; 6:51PM

if typing on the thumbpad automatically writes it into the chat in a games it seems worth it to me, otherwise it takes to long to chitchat in a game

Badboy1979: Aug 31st 2007; 7:31PM

Yeah that's the main reason I'm picking up the Chatpad... it allows for the same slick text overlay screen you would see if you had a keyboard (Windows key + M I believe) attached to the 360 (the overlay allows you to chat without having to go thru all that guide menu crap while in game... it's like a little black box at the bottom of your screen in the "achievement popup" spot).

severian00: Sep 1st 2007; 12:16AM

Why aren't they putting it out in black, I mean come on. I love my black controller.

Stupidiot: Aug 31st 2007; 6:56PM

Why can't Microsoft make a decent wired headset, like the 3rd party (I think) Halo 2 headsets for the original Xbox? The charge for my wireless one doesn't last nearly long enough, and keeps dropping out at the worst times, and the headband for my wired headset snapped within a couple of days!

Stupidiot: Aug 31st 2007; 7:04PM

Also, those Halo controllers are pretty damn fugly...

Bill=Pwnt: Sep 1st 2007; 2:26AM

Seriously? I charge my wireless headset about once every three weeks.

un1qu3 n3wy0rk: Aug 31st 2007; 6:58PM

Ive been waiting for this chat pad. But I don't want to get one until my current mic breaks. So that should be any day now, its already a couple of months old.

LOL. I'm just saying that MS mics are pretty crappy. I hope the one that comes with the chat pad is more durable.

Patrick: Aug 31st 2007; 11:40PM

the mics aren't that crappy, but they aren't great either, also since the bandwidth cap on the voice stream makes for an inferior experience, a lesson learned for MS employees for Xbox 720.

Matt B: Aug 31st 2007; 7:04PM

They really only need 5 buttons.

n00b!
pwnd!
gay!
Bullshit!
F U n****r!

Neebs: Aug 31st 2007; 7:23PM

Don't forget FAEGOT

Badboy1979: Aug 31st 2007; 7:36PM

Thank god I have friends on Live that I can play with so that when I hear that crap I know its all in fun.

Alot of my closest friends have MSN so this is a must have.

Desolation: Aug 31st 2007; 7:05PM

The chatpad is also great for us deaf gamers. There is a lot more of us than you might think.

Shagittarius: Aug 31st 2007; 7:15PM

It sucks that your deaf but at least you can't hear the boss battle music in Blue Dragon loop over and over and over and over and...

Ganrob: Aug 31st 2007; 7:28PM

good point. seriously.

ThornedVenom: Aug 31st 2007; 10:46PM

Man, that must be harsh considering that audio feedback is really important in many games, whether it's for atmospherical music or for action cues.

I guess that this is why rumble REALLY IS important.

Shagittarius: Sep 3rd 2007; 1:27AM

I love Ian Gillan don't get me wrong but I think the audio designers did a major disservice to him in the manner that they implemented this track.

To hear the same verse and chorus played over and over again will annoy you no matter how much you like any song. All they needed to do was have the vocals pieces play through once and then make it loop the instramental parts and it would have worked perfectly.

Oh well I hope this doesn't scare non game oriented musicans away from working on projects like this in the future.

J-Guy: Aug 31st 2007; 7:15PM

My God! It's the Atari Jaguar all over again. MY EYES!!

Vince UK: Aug 31st 2007; 7:21PM

I think the ZX Spectrum is the father of this child.

Stupidiot: Aug 31st 2007; 7:21PM

I often find myself typing out messages, either to messenger or Xbox Live contacts. Sometimes I just can't find my headset (it's wireless and my room is a tip) or I just can't be arsed to look for it in the first place. Typed messages are easier to understand anyway.

ssuk: Sep 1st 2007; 4:38AM

Well then, tidy your room, take some pride in your stuff and don't go online if you have the mentality of an 11 year old.

Stupidiot: Sep 1st 2007; 5:46AM

I may have the mentality of a 11 year old in some ways, but I'm at least intelligent enough to realise that acting like a complete prat online wont get you anywhere. (I'm not talking about you, I'm referring to the kids online that think it's clever to swear or make 'witty' remarks about your mother.)

J-Guy: Aug 31st 2007; 7:24PM

Has Microsoft released a keyboard? Cause if you could someone have a controller and keyboard hooked up, we wouldn't need...this.

Stupidiot: Aug 31st 2007; 7:26PM

You can just plug any old USB keyboard into the 360 I think.

Truepatriot: Aug 31st 2007; 7:27PM

man that looks nice

Badboy1979: Aug 31st 2007; 7:34PM

I don't think I want a PC keyboard lying around in my living room and bedroom tho... I'll be picking up the Chatpad when it launches.

blooh: Aug 31st 2007; 7:35PM

is this a pad that plugs into the front port of the 360 controller, or is it a completely new controller?

Badboy1979: Aug 31st 2007; 7:38PM

Its an accessory that plugs into the controller... also comes with its own "special" headset since it takes of the headset spot on the 360 controller.

blooh: Aug 31st 2007; 8:47PM

you sure? that top image looks like it's one solid controller. look closely, the sidegrips looks like they were cut to make more room for the keyboard part. I'm holding a real 360 controller in my lap right now

Desolation: Aug 31st 2007; 10:50PM

The undersides of the chatpad are curved to fit perfectly in there.

Desolation: Aug 31st 2007; 10:52PM

Take a look at this: http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/07/7-10-07-chatpad.jpg

hvnlysoldr: Aug 31st 2007; 7:39PM

A swear jar for online sounds better and better everyday.

Word of the street.: Aug 31st 2007; 9:12PM

Yeah,in 1 day playing Halo 3 you could get enough money for an Iphone.

OuroborosATX: Aug 31st 2007; 7:43PM

Does anyone know if the Chatpad can only be used for in game chatting? Or is it usable as a replacement for the on screen keyboard everywhere (like entering passwords, credit card info, etc)?

John McClane: Aug 31st 2007; 7:48PM

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa190/bloggerbucket/H3-wife.gif

blooh: Aug 31st 2007; 8:43PM

what the fuck? that was a retarded mspaint edit

Trashman: Aug 31st 2007; 8:43PM

The wired headset is just fine, Stupidiot. Much better then the old around-the-head headset and the halo edtion headset. My ears would hurt like hell from that thing and the halo 2 one was annoying. I funkin hate using the on-screen keyboard to send txts. Getting the chatpad on day one if FYE gets it that day so I can get 3 bucks off. Im getting the Master Chief controller too, but not on the same day

Word of the street.: Aug 31st 2007; 9:10PM

Halo controllers because you got to catch 'em all,got to catch 'em Halomon.

hvnlysoldr: Sep 1st 2007; 1:30AM

I want to be the very best like there never was. I want to beat all the rest blah blah Ghastley Haunter Nidorino Golduck.

catalyn: Sep 1st 2007; 12:31AM

hey yo Shagittarius...I disagress you. I am deaf latino guy from nyc I don't care about "the boss battle damn music" but who's boss battle? I can take any boss battle down are weakest. you don't know how deaf gamers still skill play gaming. they knows how levels or experinces, smart. why are you guys think our deaf gamers is dumb? but you never know when if you beat me in halo 3 and i can take you down! you lost cuz qwerty is very good. not for you who don't like qwerty. i can thanks to MS xbox 360 who is respect manys a deaf people. but I need bring all games turn on english sdh subtitle 110% "subtitle deaf and hard of hearing subititle" clone match with closed captioning for deaf gamers whos reading or sense hearing aids. Im very worry that halo have english sdh subtitle or not if not i call "HALL OF SHAME HALO 3"
since i call "HALL OF SHAME RESIDENT EVIL 4" without subtitle... I can blame all any company studio gaming that's all what are going joystiq do? joystiq can't do without deaf gamer thats show some respect deaf gamers p.s. hello joystiq no one if you listen me what i say who's agress me my points?

Shagittarius
Aug 31st 2007
7:15PMIt sucks that your deaf but at least you can't hear the boss battle music in Blue Dragon loop over and over and over and over and...

David: Sep 1st 2007; 2:39AM

Honestly, I don't mean to sound like a jackass, but you sound like a jackass. Not only did he NOT insult you, nor make fun of you, but you went on (incoherently I might add) about how awesome you are, how games suck because they don't have subtitles. I am sorry about how some games don't have subtitles, and I do feel sad about your lack of hearing, but if you really need to bring it up, then bring it up with Capcom and Bungie.

Also, the Blue Dragon boss battle music really does suck.

popozao: Sep 1st 2007; 1:08AM

Hey can I side talk with this thing? Also, how long before it starts emitting blue smoke / red rings???

ssuk: Sep 1st 2007; 4:42AM

Oh ha-ha! I see what you did there with the red ring, man are you so original with your jokes, that must have got you some e-cred right there.

Mike show!: Sep 1st 2007; 12:06PM

Does anyone know the weight of it?
it looks like it might be a bit heavy.

catalyn: Sep 1st 2007; 10:39PM

yo david, yeah i agress you how awesome i am? it is indeed i am. you know that all about the games without a subtitle cuz they develop the game so fast some miss to sell. are they crazy? geez! they need slow develop have idea mind a make add the a subtitle and sound effect in games no miss like japan a subtitle. before they can sell games.. that's mean deaf people can buy if on a subtitle then do it and I'm disappointed at esrb logo icon is miss (a sdh-subtitle or CC)..well i don't like closed captioning with black background cuz i can't see on name, number, address, website, it's block me on black background... i am favor this a sdh subtitle like are clone CC unlike black background its though-see clear... so a english sdh subtitle style better than too old CC that's all and I want this sdh subtitle style put in all games ever have option off or on. it's good thing. that's why they never learn it yea shame on them games........... oh i see i haven't play the blue dragon yep well the blue dragon is okay

Honestly, I don't mean to sound like a jackass, but you sound like a jackass. Not only did he NOT insult you, nor make fun of you, but you went on (incoherently I might add) about how awesome you are, how games suck because they don't have subtitles. I am sorry about how some games don't have subtitles, and I do feel sad about your lack of hearing, but if you really need to bring it up, then bring it up with Capcom and Bungie.

Also, the Blue Dragon boss battle music really does suck.