The latest Wii system update is just the gift that keeps on giving -- we're still finding new, unannounced features included in the downloadable update. Case in point, you can now plug a USB keyboard into those vestigial USB slots in the back of the system for easier text input in some situations.

The support is far from universal -- while you can use the keyboard to type out message board messages, you can't use it to enter a name for you Mii, suggest a poll question on the Everybody Votes Channel or, most importantly, fill in web addresses and forms on the Internet Channel. The Wii Shop Channel, oddly enough, does support the keyboard for typing in search terms, and it was the only channel to receive a significant overhaul in the latest system update. Could more expansive keyboard support be on the way? You'll know as soon as we do.

[Thanks James]

With web browsers and text messaging becoming a bigger part of the "console experience," some sort of method for quick text input is definitely a must. Sure, you can plug in a USB keyboard or a thumbboard controller attachment to enter text faster, but who wants to keep track of yet another peripheral? All we want is a quick way to enter text using our standard dual-stick controllers.

Enter the appropriately named TwoStick text entry system, which speeds up text entry using a 9 x 9 Sudoku-style grid of letters and symbols. The left stick highlights the desired 3 x 3 sub-section while a quick flick of the right stick enters the appropriate letter within the section. This means that every letter is only two flicks of the thumbs away, rather than a potentially slow trek across the entire screen.

After roughly 20 practice sessions, users were an average of about two words per minute faster with TwoStick than standard on-screen QWERTY controller input. That might not seem like much, but remember that every second you save sending that Halo 2 match request is another second you could actually be playing Halo 2. Check out a video of the system in action after the break.

First the bees and now our ability to write -- mobile phones are destroying us all. Ireland's State Examination Commission says that texting terse messages keeps kids from learning to spell, causing the world to go all Idiocracy on us.

While our gaming habits may not be destroying the planet, unless all that WiFi we've got flying around is harmful, even gamers with full-size keyboards use 1337 speak. And what will happen when thumb-sized console keyboards debut? We're in favor of tools to avoid the shrill sounds of Xbox Live gamers, but will this cost us our written language? Maybe punctuation is overrated.

First Microsoft unveils its gamepad-keyboard peripheral, then Nintendo is rumored to have interest in its own console keyboard. Now Sony, whose PlayStation 3 already allows for USB and Bluetooth keyboards, will have its own mini-keyboard attachable to the Sixaxis controller.

MadCatz's wireless thumbpad for PS3 is available to order at their website. The product page lauds its ergonomic design, but we question the pad's position on the top of the controller. Of course, we can't pass judgment based on display alone, but for $30 we'll stick to having a full-sized keyboard resting on our laps.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Look out Microsoft, your text input device isn't the only console keyboard peripheral in the planning stages. Our friends at Wii Fanboy got a pic from page 18 of Game Informer's May 2007 issue (that's the one with the GTA IV exclusive) that mentions, "Nintendo's development team says that it is considering adding a keyboard peripheral to the system in order to make online surfing easier." We agree, browsing the web on the Wii can be a chore, but we're not really looking forward to a clumsy keyboard hanging around our svelte Wii. All right, all right, they haven't "officially announced anything at this time," so we'll wait to see what the boys in Kyoto cook up. How about some DS touchscreen keyboard action?

Don't worry. Even though it doesn't have a price, a release date, or even a name, the QWERTY thumb keyboard that Microsoft has taken to calling the "text input device" is very much real (not just a rendering), as evidenced by these shots posted at Microsoft's Gamerscore Blog. It wraps around the handles and attaches to the gamepad using the headset connector; unfortunately, as confirmed by Engadget, the device does not enable pass-through of the headset and will instead ship with its own unique headset.

[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.

When it comes to online advertising games, our expectations are decidedly low. Basically, if it's better than whack the fly, we're impressed. Those low standards notwithstanding, Logitech's Jelly Jump is actually pretty good.

It seems incredibly simple at first -- just use the arrow keys to jump around an on-screen keyboard, hitting the green keys as quickly as possible. But a variety of hazard keys and some clever level design means the action gets tough pretty quickly. The game automatically saves your progress for a later play session, which is good, because getting the best scores on all 50 levels might take a while.

Sure, there's a coupon for Logitech keyboard if you get through the first ten levels, but we would play this game even without the promise of a good deal. And for an advertising game, that's saying something.

[Thanks stupidiot]

Logitech has released the perfect companion piece for that plastic bubble you just scored on eBay. It's a keyboard and mouse combo, dubbed the MX 3200 Laser, and it's coated with AgION, a compound used most commonly in hospitals to prohibit the growth of microorganisms.

Our guess it that the 3200 will cater primarily to mysophobes, but it might also be a worthwhile purchase for those paranoid of their runny-nosed tots or greasy-haired coworkers -- oh wait, that is a mysophobe. Anyways, Logitech's latest sure beats spraying Lysol all over the desktop.

Microsoft's been doing the talking, Sony is doing the walking. PlayStation 3 is the console for those that value choice. From a standard three-pronged power cord to a standard hard drive bay, Sony's hardware is compatible with a vast range of products, including additional operating systems (e.g., Linux).

Already own a USB headset? What about a web cam? As Microsoft forces us to buy into -- often inferior -- proprietary devices, Sony welcomes us to use those peripherals we might already have lying around. Bravo!

PS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyances
Wii delights vs. Wii annoyances
Xbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances

Blue Orb's Texter transforms the Xbox 360's thumbsticks into a makeshift keyboard -- and comes with decals. The device plugs in between the console and gamepad, and registers as a USB keyboard. A simple double-click of the left thumbstick activates Texter, allowing users to bypass Xbox 360's clunky on-screen keyboard. But is Texter any more efficient?

Unless you take the time to memorize the character inputs (see diagram above), we're not convinced Texter warrants a purchase. But given the limits of a controller, we should give Blue Orb points for being clever. (up-right, left) (right, up) (up-right, up) (right, up-right) (RB) (left, right) (RB) (left, left) (up-left, up-left) (up, up-right) (right, left) (right, left)?

A pair of PSP patents recently went public via the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We've heard rumor of keyboard and cellphone USB attachments for the PSP before, so it comes as no surprise that these patents were officially filed back in November 2004. While the keyboard is still a possibility, given that an email function is on the way, the chances of a phone extension hitting retail are slim.

While you're waiting for the Infinium Phantom or Optimus OLED Keyboard, here's another peripheral that may pique your interest. Zboard have been making gamer-focused keyboards for some time now, but the compromise between QWERTY and separate WASD keys has forced some gamers' hands into unusual contortions (ours included).

Fortunately, their all-new, all-singing, all-dancing MERC does away with the problem--it features a side WASD pad, with more programmable keys than before as well as a full QWERTY keyboard. No need for separate keysets this time; although the older model is much easier to clean thanks to its hot-swapping keys, we prefer comfortable typing every time.

[Via Opposable Thumbs]

There's still no sign of the full-sized OLED-keyed Optimus keyboard, due to drop in 2006, but the Russian design firm Art. Lebedev Studio have announced the "Optimus mini three keyboard." They describe it as "an auxiliary keyboard with three keys, each complete with an OLED screen displaying the current function... Optimus mini is a blank sheet. It’s hard to say what a usual monitor is worth until you open an image on it."

Using the above example of Half-Life 2 for "game control," I have to question the value of the $100 peripheral. Sure, it's an attractive enough piece of kit, and the OLED screens are muy cool, but they offer little functionality above and beyond what any three keys on a regular old 104-key USB keyboard could.

However, if you've got $100 burning a hole in your pocket... the Optimus mini three is set to arrive May 15.

[Via Primotech]