So like, people are actually supposed to type with that device?

Apr 10, 2007 13:57 GMT  ·  By

Look at the pictures below. If you can't see anything, I don't blame you. That keyboard is so small that you need a really powerful photo editor to zoom in on it. Well, not really. But why wouldn't they let users type with a normal keyboard, like Sony did with their PS3? What, is the 360 so advanced that regular keyboards would blow up in flames? No, I'll tell you why. With the new Spring Update from Microsoft for Windows Live Messenger just launched, Xbox 360 users will be typing their thumbs off and they'd need a keyboard for that, right? Right. Now, why wouldn't the company make an extra buck with this microscopical typing device?

All right, enough criticism, now let's talk about how the text input device will come in handy:

- first of all, its reduced size doesn't have to be a disadvantage, as it can be mounted on the joystick; thus, while gamers swap between games and Messenger, it's easy to just move the thumbs on the same area, not having to plug in a bigger keyboard that might actually require one to get up from the couch; - the keyboard doesn't interrupt any other activities that one might have going on with the console: as pinkies don't fully wrap around the wings so it doesn't interfere with control during gameplay; - but then again, it's wireless so you can just unmount it from the Xbox 360's original controller; - gamerscore also says that the new keyboard will be light weight, so again, it shouldn't present gamers with discomfort; - the device is said to ship with a new headset device (whenever that is).

What can I say? Microsoft always thinks ahead and come to think of it, nothing is perfect in this world, not even a small, additional text input device for the Xbox 360 gaming system from Microsoft.

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