MTV Multiplayer gets its hands on the PS3 keypad

by Jem Alexander { Oct 1st 2008 at 10:30PM }

We all looked on the announcement of the PS3 Keypad at Leipzig with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Finally, QWERTY keyboard input directly on our controller, but why is it above the thumbsticks? MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo got his hands on the device and snapped some photos (with his mouth, presumably) to show how comfortably the keys can be reached from a normal playing position.

Of course, we're not really sure exactly what Mr. Totilo thinks of the contraption as a collection of images was practically all his post had to say on the matter. We were hoping he would come to some sort of conclusion, but instead we're left to decide for ourselves whether it looks comfortable to handle. Our thoughts? We need to try it for ourselves, but it seems like it won't be too much of a stretch. What do you think?

Tags: keypad, MTV-multiplayer, stephen-totilo, thumbpad

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Snubby(the)frog @ Oct 1st 2008 10:36PM

I agree, it dose look to much of a stretch, and I don't want to have to constantly pause to type on a small keyboard I can barley reach.... Might as well use my apple Mini wireless keyboard... =P

Lars @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:42PM

Well, nothing beats a full keyboard of course. But as far as alternatives go, this doesn't look too shabby. And I think it'd be way more awkward to have it below the sticks.

Levi @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:09PM

Ehhh.. I don't have a 360, but that thumb pad looked better. I'll still want to check this one out at least, but I won't buy it unless I get hooked on some game that people actually type to each other on.

Connor @ Oct 1st 2008 10:36PM

How do you press R1, R2, L1, and L2??

Reefer @ Oct 1st 2008 11:28PM

the keyboard doesn't block L1-2 R1-2. your fingers will be underneath the keyboard

halo 3 sucks. @ Oct 1st 2008 10:36PM

looks awkward...

Dustin @ Oct 1st 2008 10:36PM

I'll stick with my full qwerty keyboard, but I ordered the BT headset from Amazon ($39.96)

Eggy @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:11AM

You should't have. Sony will release there own which is probably of better quality.

francisco @ Oct 1st 2008 10:36PM

is the keyboard blocking L1/2 R1/2? o.O

Dustin @ Oct 1st 2008 10:38PM

I think its above the R1 and L1 buttons, like your fingers go behind the keypad. idk, though

hey_big_dck psn:fuliano626 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:01PM

no the keyboard is under the L2 & R2 buttons hmm i could have sworn i saw this exact board at best buy back when i bought my ps3 back in feb of 07

Gambit07 @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:21AM

You mean this: http://playstation.joystiq.com/2007/04/24/you-got-keyboard-on-my-sixaxis-you-got-sixaxis-on-my-keyboard/

SaMav @ Oct 1st 2008 10:39PM

This actually looks really functional. I just might get one of these b/c I want a quick solution to sending messages while im in-game.. leaving a keyboard out is just a clutter and using the controller type is just way too slow.

Ted @ Oct 1st 2008 10:49PM

I just picked up a USB keyboard that I use on my PS3 for $5... why would I spend $40 for a mini one?

Rick @ Oct 1st 2008 11:27PM

maybe because it looks cool? idk. lol

Kspraydad @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:06AM

Because I'd rather have something I can type on while playing and not have to put down my controller? Seems good to me but I have big feet...er, hands.

ehisforadam @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:22AM

Not to mention it also has that touch pad function for mousing around web pages and stuff.

Ted @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:14PM

Don't get me wrong I still will probably pick one up. I just see it as a little to expensve

Daniel @ Oct 1st 2008 11:12PM

^ No it's not blocking them, it is small in the back...so it sits in front of them...click the pick at the top of this post, there are 3 more pics and you can see what I'm saying.

Anyway, this looks awesome and I can't wait to get it.

The_Icon @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:35AM

Hope its comfortable

Joel @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:46AM

In regards to home, I believe this will be used widely mainly because you dont want to be swapping between the controller and a seperate keyboard to type...this takes time and stops you from moving around easily

azhyen @ Oct 5th 2008 12:31AM

point well taken, home will probably get the most benefit from this keypad.

vahdyx @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:49AM

the word I have for this item is offensive to pillow bitters so I won't say it.

Personally, i don't like it! I won't be getting one for my ps3!

I will be getting a bluetooth keyboard though

The_Doctor @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:03AM

I think the best thing about this keyboard is that you can use it as a touchpad... unless of course this has been removed in the final build.

Daniel @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:32AM

the button is still there so I'm assuming that mode is still there...

Deaddy @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:46AM

This kind of thing could be very handy every now and then, but it's definitely not worth $40.

Paulmichael @ Oct 2nd 2008 2:57AM

Nope, I'm going to stick with my BT keyboard. I'm holding my controller like he is in the photos, that is going to be way too much of a stretch...Though I do like the message button, it beats hitting the PS button, waiting for the Friends tab to load, then going to Messages.

Predator0 @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:03AM

Ok, it doesn't see so comfortable. But what I don't know: Can I use it without the controller?

Nathan @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:30AM

Should be able to. It uses bluetooth, and it can be used separately with cellphones.

What! @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:45AM

I looks like it wouldn't be easy to type, especially how he is holding the controller. Maybe it's made for long thumbs.

What! @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:51AM

The position of the keyboard looks inconvenient.

Fraser JK @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:16AM

It looks comfortable enough for me... but I'm more interested on the functionality to be honest... I need a keyboard damn it!

ps3#2fanboy @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:35AM

always trying to copy the 360...yet just getting it wrong.

farfisa @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:49AM

I like the idea, and I think I'll get one. I'll just have to try it to make sure I'm not constantly hitting the thumb sticks or something. Checked the other pics on that link--I guess if it's good enough for Robin Williams, it'll be good enough for me.

I see some people saying you can use it wirelessly by itself, but if it connects to the controller through usb, doesn't that mean it gats battery power from the controller?

Danny F. @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:03AM

Looks way to uncomfortable.... Your thumbs can't even reach the damn thing, the only way you'll type is lowering the controller position which is gonna force you to lose any control of the game to make any split seconds movements.

The 360's keyboard is way more practical as its under the controller and easier positioned for your thumbs to type easier.

What the hell Sony,, where do you get these engineers/designers.... maybe going back to the drawing board would be a good idea...

Metal_Gear @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:48AM

lulz at the morons who think they should be able to play the game and type at the same time. How many thumbs do you have? If you need to play and communicate at the same time, buy a headset.

Danny F. @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:12AM

Obviously you doosh you can't do both at the same time. Read the msg again carefully.

I said in order to type you would have to lower the controller so your thumbs can reach the keypad. While on the 360 you dont have to rearrange the position of the controller, which lets you get back to playing in no time.

So good job on ur comment with your "lulz" kid.....

mixelmagic @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:57AM

To go /below/ the pad you'd have to RAISE the PS controller though, which is worse as then you're not holding it by anything..

Obviously different things work on different shaped controllers with different weights. This will be fine, and easily as functional as thr 360 messenger kit (which i love btw, and bought one as soon as i found out about it!).

Danny F. @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:28AM

I also have the 360 messenger kit and I love it also, very easy to use. But looking at this design you can see it obviously looks uncomfortable... oh well. There isnt any online games for me to type in anyway for the PS3 to begin with lol..

tboy123 @ Oct 2nd 2008 12:20PM

if you have no games to "type in" on the ps3... that just means you don't have any friends, because you CLEARLY don't type TO the game. Its OK. You can cry on my shoulder!
I don't have any keyboard for any system, I find them rather pointless... I can type just as fast with the on-screen keyboard as with one of these things!

Metal_Gear @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:19AM

If your thumbs point below the controller when your playing... you are a freak. Your thumbs should point towards the USB wire naturally, and they cant frickeng add a qwerty keyboard above the select and start buttons can they?

Zta @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:22AM

Those are really bad photos. Out of focus, and they don't really show how the keyboard is attached, and most importantly where exactly it is located on the controller. Also a closeup of the keyboard layout would be appreciated, and yeah: a conclusion would have helped, but I suppose that its MTV's policy to have no opinion. How useless is a "review" allowed to be??

Gervin @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:41AM

I'm diggin it. I think for casual texting, or text entry (for some games/apps entering names or passwords, this is just fine. I have a full-size BT/Keyboard for serious serfing (hard to say with 'that' browser), or when I'm using linux on the PS3.

mixelmagic @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:53AM

This is really the ONLY way a kb like this could work on the ps3 controller due to its shape. Unless you wanted everyone to have the control slip out of their hand or give them all RSI..

The 360's "below controls" thing worked because the control was already longer and chunkier at the bottom. This way makes just as much sense as their layout, and would be perfectly comfortable to use.. Just mimic the motions with a PS control, it's fine, certainly less stressful than going downward.

yosuck @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:00AM

Once again we PS3'ers get the shaft from Sony. It's one thing if they don't want to update their old controller design but it's another thing to constantly bring out controllers that don't put ergonomics first. Thanks again Sony.

Now for the PS4, can you Please redesign the controller to say something closer to the....... 360?

And can you shut up about the PS4 already???

Fane @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:45PM

why f**k with perfection?

Mr. Joe @ Oct 2nd 2008 1:30PM

why come no link to stephen photo review?

Thax @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:43PM

As a human factors professional, I can't believe they are marketing a control that is so obviously not useable by the majority of the population. Granted, while playing your thumbs naturally point towards the USB connector, but you have the flexibility to bring them down if needed, and you can adjust your grip on the control to accomodate keys below the thumbsticks. Where it is now, most people will only reach ~25% of the keys without setting the control down on your lap or doing some one-handed typing.

mellymurda @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:38AM

I've actually purchased a mad catz version @ bestbuy. It's pretty practical it doesn't bother at all with R1 and L1, but it doesn't hug the control all that well. The qwerty pad from Sony looks alot better. I hope it fits the control better, and since you can't send a text (in-game XMB) and play at the same time anyways it does'nt hurt to slide your hands up to the keypad. I just hope the buttons light-up. Hard to text when playing in the dark....