The Wireless Keypad is a small, lightweight thing that uses a spring-loaded clamp to affix itself onto your wireless controller — whether it be of the tingly DualShock3 variety or the rather more frigid original. Once attached it covers the PS, Start, and Select buttons, which are replicated for your convenience in the same location (just a bit higher). There’s the full QWERTY spread ready for prodding, plus a few extra buttons, including dedicated ones that bring up your messages list and your friends list. Logical additions, they, because most people who buy this will be sending messages to friends.

There are a number of truly compelling features of the PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad. For starters, users can quickly access their messages and friends lists from two dedicated buttons. The dedicated buttons cut away the time spent bringing up the PlayStation button and navigating to your messages and/or friends list by jumping directly to the necessary portion of the XMB. The other particularly interesting feature of the Wireless Keypad is its touch-sensitive keys, which allow users to navigate menus by simply swiping a finger across the keypad surface. This can also serve as a means of controlling the pointer when using the PlayStation 3′s online web browser.

The black-colored keyboard matches the SIXAXIS, and is clipped over the front to remain securely in place. Another feature of this keyboard is a touchpad mode that makes mouse input possible. This touchpad could be incorporated in future game development – bad news for consumers since they need to purchase yet another peripheral then. No idea on pricing, but the keyboard is tipped to ship in 8 configurations across Europe.