PS3 Wireless Keypad review – Bringing Playstation Home to life
The method for inputting text on the PS3 is clunky at best, requiring multiple button presses and the concentration of a nuclear physicist to manage one word. Luckily, Sony has seen fit to release a Wireless Keypad in order to make the whole process much easier. Having used the keypad for the last few days, here are my thoughts on it.
The thing is immaculately designed. While it’s possible to use a USB keyboard with the Playstation 3, that requires a dexterity I wasn’t blessed with. The PS3 Wireless Keypad, however, fits on to the official controller as snugly as possible.
Using two clips, one set in place and one pivoted, the Keypad attaches to the controller with the utmost simplicity. Once on, the two components feel as one, like they were always meant to be together. The Keypad does obviously add to the weight of the controller but it’s sill supremely well-balanced and is still more lightweight and comfortable to hold than an Xbox 360 controller.
The PS3 Wireless Keypad is charged via a USB cable. It doesn’t come with one, with you instead expected to double up on using the one supplied with the controller. The battery life seems solid, and there’s an on/off switch to save the battery dying too quickly. When it’s not being used, the unit will switch to standby anyway.
The Keypad features a full Qwerty keyboard. By the clever use of shift keys and red and blue shoulder buttons, there are hundreds of letters, numbers, and symbols available. You can use the Keypad with either your thumbs or fingers, though the keys are very small, meaning fingers are probably a better option. Those familiar with Blackberries will find the Keypad a joy to use.
Apart from writing, the Wireless Keypad has another use as a laptop-style touch pad. It’s a good idea and certainly clever but I found it to be less accurate than using the analog stick and a little pointless when all is said and done. Maybe they could have dropped this feature and shaved a few dollars off the price?
So, it’s a sexy piece of kit, but what of its practical uses? I personally bought it to use on Home after finally realizing there’s nothing to do except for chat to people. Sure, the Red Bull Race takes up five minutes a day, and the odd game of bowling/pool/chess is okay. But really, Home has been created to aid social interaction, and for that you need a Keypad.
Any games that use text chat for people without headsets also support the Keypad, and inserting text into your created LittleBigPlanet levels is now a pleasure rather than a chore. But Home remains the most obvious place to take advantage of the device.
I’d highly recommend the PS3 Wireless Keypad for anyone who uses Home regularly or those who would rather text chat than voice chat. The rest of you will probably be able to make do with the on-screen keyboard, especially at the US$50/£25 asking price.
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January 26th, 2009
ok this is getting stupid. The last 5 articles were PS3 related only articles. Why not just call this site PS3.blorge?
January 26th, 2009
im not saying it’s stupid but alot of it is ps3 based what the hell is 360 and the wii doing with there BS.
January 26th, 2009
Harry, you’re right and I apologize. We do try to cover all consoles but there’s obviously been a bit of a deluge of PS3 posts over the last few days.
January 26th, 2009
I agree with most of this article, i do think its very comfortable fit, but its a pain in the ass sometimes when after a long period of inactivity it turns itself on, then when i try to type something it misses off the first letter as it starts up again.
Is the touchpad feature activiated by the finger with the green light? I have no idea what use the finger icon does. But its definatly worth a buy, especially with MGO
January 26th, 2009
The sixth article is about Microsoft laying people off.
I don’t see your comment there harry.
January 26th, 2009
Keep the PS3 stuff comin kid!
January 26th, 2009
lock_down, maybe because I said the last FIVE articles?
Dave Parrack, apology accepted. Can I suggest something on ‘The Maw’? I downloaded it yesterday and I believe it deserved all the awards it received.
January 26th, 2009
yeah im only interested to what sony products got to say… i dont want to have articles stating where m$ made more add on 4 stupid asses to buy
January 26th, 2009
kevo,
I would dissect your attempt at a sentence, but you’ve butchered the English language enough for both of us.
January 26th, 2009
Hmmm i understand where Harry’s coming from though, if you are only a 360 owners, it is annoying.
January 26th, 2009
I saw the giantbomb first impressions on the maw… its looked really cute… but people have been bitching that its too short…
I love it when he squeeels… Maaaaaaw
January 26th, 2009
this is fucked up… harry bitches a little between his regular potty mouth jokes… and you say sorry…
while Im here bitching and moaning about Dave taking my ideas and writing his articles… and I get nothing… no Killzone beta… no nothing…
and here I thought we were all bum buddies…
January 26th, 2009
Dwh… for the final time… KZ2 beta ended last year….
January 26th, 2009
Stop going on about the beta DWH…the full game will be out in less than a month…well that’s if you’re in Europe.
Why the hell does mainland Europe get KZ2 on the 25th, yet the UK which is part of mainland Europe gets it on the 27th?
Why, Sony, why.
January 26th, 2009
Because the UK is not part of any continent according to GG, but then again most of Europe hates us (aka jealous) so they treat us bad?
January 26th, 2009
Why would Europe be jealous of the UK?
We’re the most expensive country in Europe…although now that the pound is plummeting, pretty soon it’ll probably be cheaper for Europeans to come and live here…..
I bet it’s because we didn’t join the Euro that they treat us bad.
Not a bad currency to join now though…
January 26th, 2009
For Christmas I got the MadCats version of the chat pad. I never got the stupid thing to work. I think I received a defective one. Eventually I’ll pick up the Official Sony version. I think that I would be more inclined to use the browser if I actually had a better way to type.
I will be playing the KillZone 2 demo on 2/5. I have the download card just sitting on the entertainment center under my TV.
January 26th, 2009
Madcatz! argh they are awful. Cheap products. They usually break, so don’t feel hard done on yourself.
January 26th, 2009
I never even typed a single character with it. I would never buy anything from them again.
January 26th, 2009
According to my calendar… it’s Australia Day today? Happy Australia Day Dave!
January 26th, 2009
Not quite sure why Australia Day would mean anything to me seeing as how I’m British but hey, thanks anyway
January 26th, 2009
Oh… I see Mike is Australian? Well I hope you have a good day anyway then.
January 26th, 2009
Lock down! NO!
I don’t live in blighty anymore, but damn, never let go of the pound! And sing Rule Britannia every damn day of your life!
“I personally bought it to use on Home after finally realizing there’s nothing to do except for chat to people”
lol, spot on Dave. Bowling isn’t too bad if there were more than like 6 lanes.
January 26th, 2009
I haven’t been in Home in ages, too many pedo’s/perverts/rapists. SW where do you live now?
January 26th, 2009
fuck you bourne… a boy can still dream…
I have read from the forums and the product reviews that mad catz products are not reliable…
but the new SF 4 tournament edition sticks are supposed to be custom made with arcade parts…
so… can I ask blorge to do a review of all the special edition arcade sticks??? they would help a lot…
let me see..
theres the tournament edition stick which costs $150
the normal arcade stick wired which is like $80…
and the joypad… which has the d pad of the 360 controller but supposedly works like the dualshock one…
so yeah… a review of all those would be helpful..
there you go.. I just gave you another idea… I still dont see my killzone 2 beta…
ungrateful bastards
January 26th, 2009
DWh it comes out in exactly 1 month!
January 26th, 2009
I would still sell your soul to get the beta… or demo… whichever is better…
but I still wont pay money whore gamestop to “pre-order” it…
January 26th, 2009
I bet if SW was still in the UK he’d vote Tory…
Get a grip DWH, the game is out in a month.
Or, get a life.
…delete as applicable.
January 26th, 2009
Bourne : Canada.
By Canadian standards I’m a liberal. I wouldn’t vote Lib dem. I would vote labour, but i do agree with certain right wing stuffs e.g. death penalty.
Altho at this point, I dunno who i’d vote for. Seems like labour has introduced some whacky laws over there. Give me some of that ’stop n search’ with no probable cause anyday! Rawr. Feel me up mr policeman. It gets more like V for Vendetta everyday over there it seems.
Seriously tho, I just happen to like the union jack, bulldogs and the pound as symbols of the country (or at least what it used to be about, instead of Chavs and teen pregnancy), it would be a shame to lose them(the pound in this case).
January 26th, 2009
Yes i agree, We seem to be losing our Britishness in a wave of liberalness, letting too many people in and being too acommodating ( i know that sound like i’m promoting the BNP, but i’m just tired of being so liberal)
January 26th, 2009
I dont trust canadians… bunch of hippy liberal commies with their universal health care… and calling home to the queen if they have a boo boo…
grow up canadians… GET A JERB!!!
January 26th, 2009
You’re just jealous of the BC bud!
January 26th, 2009
grrr…. want BC PS3… I went all legit this generation.. I was gonna buy all the original copies of the good ps2 games… thanks a lot sony… you just lost like 20 ps2 game sales… bitch…
January 26th, 2009
ok RE 5 demo going on PSN in a week…
who wants to be my bitch and play co op with me??
arvis are you gonna buy it?? cus then Ill rent it… I have no interest in playing RE 5 except for Co op…
January 26th, 2009
The guy with the chainsaw scares me.
And he always kills me too… *sadface*
Needs Wiimote controls!
January 26th, 2009
DWH – I’ll play with you. You may want to make sure you turn the friendly fire off when we play though… I think I might get the collectors edition, but it’s like $90.00!!
I remeber the chainsaw guy from 4… That was intense.
January 26th, 2009
And if we do play… I call Chris!
January 26th, 2009
More KillZone 2 reviews are in boys… looking pretty amazing.
GamePro 5/5
Official PlayStation Magazine (US) 5/5
Official PlayStation Magazine (UK) 9/10
Official PlayStation Magazine (Australia) 10/10
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
Game Rankings 95%[23]
Metacritic 97/100[22]
January 26th, 2009
ahhh dammit… thats not how it works barnabe… you are MY bitch…
anyways… Ill rent it to see how many trophies I can get… so dont finish the game without me…
which time zone are you at?? we should set up a time to play RE…
January 26th, 2009
Now Sony needs to pull thier finger out and push awesome looking ads on tv.
Put in that it has awesome multiplayer and splash a whole bunch of scores on the screen from reputable (or well known) magazines/websites etc etc etc.
January 26th, 2009
Is it just me or are the colours in killzone very dark? There’s something very addictive about the gay colours in Halo
January 26th, 2009
its teh BLooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooM!!!
and yeah… Halghast is supposed to be dark and dingy.. filled with smoke… because the atmosphere forced the helghast to breathe through a mask and stuff
January 26th, 2009
Maxim gave it 3.5 stars out of 5. Saying it was the prettiest girl at the dance, but not a very good dancer.
I expect we’ll see more reviews like this once the Official Playstation magazine reviews are out of the way. Hype does some crazy things to reviewers, i.e the ones that gave GTA IV 10/10.
January 26th, 2009
Who the fuck reads maxim. Get real porn.
January 27th, 2009
Aww harry, couldn’t you find a review that gave Killzone 2 a worse score?
In the coming weeks, you can bet that Xbots will be scrambling around trying to find reviews that talk down KZ2…just as harry has proved.
Pathetic.
January 27th, 2009
Harry – I saw that Maxium also loved the 50 cent game, while trashing the new Street Fighter.
DWH – I’m in EST. When the demo it out, we can just pick a day and time.
January 27th, 2009
lock_down,
Don’t go blaming the messenger, I am just conveying what was printed in a magazine. If you’re too sensitive to read the perspective of magazines that don’t have the word ‘Official’ in them, maybe you need to reconnect with reality?
January 27th, 2009
harry, once again you prove your ignorance. Official PlayStation Magazine(s) talk down many PS3 games…but not KZ2.
Hmm, I wonder why?
Conspiracy? Plot?
Or maybe it’s simply because it’s just a great game.
In a few days when the embargo lifts, I predict we will see many rave reviews of KZ2.
And when PS3 owners across the world will be enjoying one the greatest first person shooters ever created, tragically, poor Xbots will have to cling desperately to that Maxim review; all the while remaining defiant; desperately proclaiming in exquisite self-humiliation that 3.5/5 — which equates to 70% — is a poor score.
Xbots will protest; Xbots will shout; but they will never dampen the enthusiasm that has millions of PS3 owners buzzing about this title.
January 27th, 2009
“And when PS3 owners across the world will be enjoying one the greatest first person shooters ever created”… XBox 360 owners will most likely continue to enjoy one or more of the multitude of great first person shooters the PS3 fan used to claim was all 360 was good for… too busy trying to get through all of them to protest, shout, or care about the one that the PS3 has come out with lately? It’s great the PS3 finally has another great exclusive first person shooter, even if it is a little bit late. The PS3 needs all it can get into it’s library to catch up to the 360. Congrats and kudos to Sony for yet another hit, as it’s good for 360 owners as well (more competition).
January 27th, 2009
KillZone 2 seems like its forever away. I want something new now! Does anyone know how is Afro Samurai?
January 27th, 2009
“XBox 360 owners will most likely continue to enjoy one or more of the multitude of great first person shooters ”
Well they won’t feel the need to talk down KZ2 then will they.
January 27th, 2009
Here’s some other magazines I’ve been reading for Killzone 2
Official Xbox Magazine (US) 1/5
Official Xbox Magazine (UK) 2/10
Official Xbox Magazine (Australia) 3/10
Don’t see what all the fuss is about
January 27th, 2009
lock_down,
How is giving credit to a game that you can’t even play on your console of choice by taking the time to share an above average magazine review (3.5/5 is not considered the same as your percentage in school, which would be failing, it is considered “good” and “above” average, like a hotel, restaurant, or movie that gets 3.5 stars out of 5) and saying that more above average reviews (although not perfect) will likely come out for the game talking it down? If anything he was talking it up by sharing a score that said it wasn’t crappy and saying an international top selling magazine felt it was important enough to review it. Just because it isn’t a perfect score doesn’t mean it isn’t good. GTAIV didn’t get perfect reviews either yet it is still one of the best games available on PS3.
January 27th, 2009
Yeah! It’s not like I was rubbing it in or anything. 70% is still a good score….
Insecure much?
January 27th, 2009
Anyway, Wired gave Gears 2 80%, so even the great games get lower than expected scores sometimes.
So 70% for Killzone isn’t anything to be upset about…..
January 27th, 2009
I bet harry cannot believe his luck that Carl has come to his rescue with some fantastic spin.
Try as you might, you won’t find a credible review of KZ2 that implies it is a bad game, so I look forward to your acknoweldgment harry of it being a high quality game.
So in light of that, what was it you were supposed to be “rubbing in” harry?
…no, actually, don’t answer that.
January 27th, 2009
lock_down,
I don’t need CarlB to defend me, although he does compliment what I was trying to say rather well.
I don’t believe I said it was a bad game, are you trying to put words in my mouth? The only person here who is allowed to put things in my mouth is DWH.
Anyway, I think you’re taking the Maxim review just a little too personally. It’s just a game….
January 27th, 2009
Sorry, harry, show me where I said that you said it was a bad game.
Oh, that’s right, you can’t.
Next.
January 27th, 2009
“Try as you might, you won’t find a credible review of KZ2 that implies it is a bad game”
You’re implying that I am looking for reviews that is saying it is a bad game, thus implying that I am saying it is a bad game and looking for a review to back this claim up.
You really need to calm down and get a grip….
January 27th, 2009
Bad typo there, -is, +are
January 27th, 2009
wait… WHAT!!!
what are you guys going on about… first of all… reviews are HIGHLY objective,.. *for more explanation check my blawg* and just because they rate it higher or lower doesnt mean its bad…
first of all… I heard MANY reviewers that GTA would not have gotten near perfect scores from them if they had reviewd the game… now if K2 is good at its core… good gameplay and good design… then who cares???
how many people bitched about MGS 4 being a “movie”… and it was still awesome… I hate those “MGS is MOVIE” assholes… I wanna punch em in the nuts…
anyways… for K2.. review scores are going to be about fanboys beating chests… they are going to post it on forums and articles… and make others believe that they are right…
anyways… if you like the game… and if I like the game… I dont care what others think…
January 27th, 2009
holy crap! that was the most sense that DWH has made for a very long time. Come here and give me a kiss!
January 28th, 2009
He musta run out of candy and soda…
January 28th, 2009
hahahaha, he crashed from that sugar high.
January 28th, 2009
I save my long posts fore my blawg… I only come here for the hawt cheeeks…
January 28th, 2009
ah good, he’s back to normal.