Product Description

Messaging just became a whole lot easier with the compact QWERTY keypad for the PlayStation 3. Attaches to the top of your PS3 controller for ease and comfort. Push the 'cursor mode key' and, the surface of keypad can also be used as a touchpad just like a mouse ! Also features shortcut buttons to Message Inbox and Text Chat.

PS3 controller not included.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #262 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2008-11-28
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
• Format: Unknown format
• Dimensions: .35 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
Messaging just became a whole lot easier with the compact QWERTY keypad for the PLAYSTATION3. Attaches to the top of your PS3 controller for ease & comfort. Push the 'cursor mode key' and, the surface of keypad can also be used as a touch pad just like a mouse ! Also features short cut buttons to Message Inbox and Text Chat.

Customer Reviews

Very good to use @ Home!
I did not want to submit a review within 5 minutes of opening the box... I have had this keypad for three weeks, and it is easier than using the PS3 controller to enter text in Playstation Home. The keypad clamps over the controller, is light and well built, and does not make the controller awkward or unbalanced. There is no USB cable packed with it. From full charge, I have got about four days use from it (based on between 3-4 hours use each day).

I have large hands, so can easily reach the keys, however, the keys are small. It takes a little getting used to when entering other characters using the green and orange shoulder buttons on the keypad. This keypad does not replace a full keyboard. It is ideal for quick messages, web browsing etc. For long typing sessions, you will need a full keyboard.

The track pad function is not very responsive, so I do not use it as the sticks on the controller are better at this aspect. According to my usage over the three weeks I have had it, here are the pros and cons:

Pros:
Small and light
Fits nicely onto the PS3 controller
Well-constructed
Excellent for use in Home and during gaming

Cons:
Small keys. People with large hands may find it tricky when typing, unless you are accustomed to using a Blackberry mobile phone.
Track pad option is not very responsive

What I would like to see in a version 2 of this Keypad:
Slightly bigger keys
Backlighting for low light or dark conditions
Improved track pad

In short, it is a very good device and I recommend it. If you have large hands, it is worth trying it out first if you can before buying one.

Does what it says on the tin
Great keyboard that fits on your PS3 controller, great for LBP, Home and chatting to mates. Its compact so if you have club hands it may not be for you. Its gonna be compact to fit on ps3!! Recommended.

Does the job!
You'll be amazed how small this keypad is, though I suppose it needs to be to fit on the controller.

The build quality is excellent and what you expect from Sony. The individual keys are small but suprisingly I can still effectively type text quickly and with few errors, even with my bigger than average hands. Though I do find myself looking closely at the keypad while I'm typing to make sure I'm hitting those tiny little buttons correctly.

The controller as widely explained clips onto the controller - which it does very securely and without hindering access to any of the controller buttons. The keypad is light but I've got to say that I feel the difference in the weight when combined with the controller, but overall the controller/keypad combo when held are quite light still. Overall it does the job well, but you're not going to want to type lengthy emails - I think it's good for relatively short messages on Home or when chatting - but a lengthy email writer (for example) then I think you'll be using your trusty PC keyboard.

The downsides:

The mouse pad feature doesn't work very well and I think most people will continue to use the thumbsticks to guide the mouse pointer - they're just easier and more accurate than the mouse pad on the keypad. Not a real problem.

I use two controllers - one for use while the other is charging. The problem with the keypad is that I will have to unclip and then clip from one controller to the other. Although it's relatively easy to do it is a bit of annoyance as it's not just a simple clip-on clip-off - you need to be sure you're bending one side of the clip to hook/unhook. The solution to this is just to leave the keypad off the controller and use it seperately - though this has the disadvantage that you have to put-down the controller to use the keypad, and vice versa.

I feel that an entirely seperate remote control like keypad (without the clip) might have been better with slightly bigger keys. These types of keypads exist for the PS3 but they are not Sony made and not bluetooth - meaning you'll have a receiver unit plugged into a USB port.

Overall I highly recommend the Sony Keypad, it does the job for short messages and surfing but it's not the perfect solution for all possible uses (long emails). So if you want to use your PS3 as a PC (for email as well as surfing) then I'd get a proper USB keyboard.