PS3 Wireless Keypad

PlayStation Home is coming...eventually. When it does arrive, you're going to want to communicate with your virtual friends to tell them how awesome you are. Using the controller and the onscreen keyboard is going to get old quickly, which is why Sony has just released a wireless keypad for the PlayStation 3.

Setting up the PS3 keypad is a breeze. Unlike a Bluetooth headset, there's no need to go into the PS3's menus and pair the keyboard with the system--it works right away assuming you're using firmware version 2.50 or later. Simply clip the unit onto a controller and turn keypad on (hopefully you've got an extra USB cable around because you must charge the keypad independent of the controller), turn on the controller and the PS3, and you're good to go.

Like any small keypad, the PS3's QWERTY keypad takes a short while to grow accustomed to, but it doesn't take long before you're jumping back and forth between the controller and the keypad, no doubt fragging fools and telling them how "l33t" you are. The keypad's layout is fine, however, it's curious that there's a dedicated button for an accented "E," but you have to hold the keypad's right shoulder button and press the number 2 to make an @ symbol. It's a minor inconvenience, but it's something you'll think about every time you enter an email address. At least you'll save a few seconds here with the shortcut buttons that take you directly to your message box or your friends list.

The PS3 keypad has one more trick up its sleeve: with one button press you can use it as a touch pad. When browsing with the touch pad on you'll be able to scroll pages and move the cursor across the screen by lightly moving your fingers over the middle area of the keypad. It's a neat idea, but we found it easier to navigate with the controller's left analog stick.

The wireless Bluetooth keyboard carries an MSRP of $49.99 (USD), which is pretty steep for a peripheral for a peripheral. If you're someone who wants a quick and easy way to communicate with folks on the PS3 it might be worth a look, but it's hard to justify the cost when you can get a USB keyboard for significantly less.