technabob » keypad

speed usb smart pad supports multitouch gestures: let your fingers do the zoomin’ and navigatin’

technabob — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:50:48 +0000

Yeah, yeah, Apple is probably going to announce some sort of wondrous new multitouch input peripherals when it makes its rumored product announcements this week, but does that mean that Windows users can’t have at least a little multitouch lovin’ in the mean time? I don’t think so.

With this nifty Smart Pad peripheral from Speed, you can add not only an external numeric keypad to your laptop or desktop, but one that works as a true multitouch input device. The compact Smart Pad plugs into any available USB port, and ships with software which lets you start using multitouch gestures to control window movement, mouse buttons, image zooming, scrolling, and other interactions with your computer. The touchpad can support 1, 2 and 3-finger gestures, many of which work with all programs.

There are also a number of specialized gestures that work with popular programs like the MS Office suite and Adobe Acrobat. No word on whether or not there’s any multitouch drawing apps that’ll work with the Smart Pad, but I’m hoping that somebody will hack one together since the hardware could certainly support it.

Just keep in mind that these early drivers pictured below are in Korean, but I’m hopeful the final version ships with English software.

The Smart Pad’s specs say it works with Windows XP/Vista, though, so I’m not sure if there are any compatibility issues with Windows 7, which has native multitouch support. The device ships this November and is available for pre-order over at Brando for $40 (USD).

wireless keypad brings literacy to your ps3

alisha k. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:30:39 +0000

Just in case you haven’t spent enough money on your PS3, there’s a hot new attachment, just in time for the holidays: a wireless keypad add-on designed to make communicating simple.

At $49.99, the add-on may seem a little expensive, particularly when most gamers gravitate toward voice-communication in online gaming, but sometimes a little typing is necessary. The keypad can also be used with the PS3’s web browser, which is where it’s likely to be most helpful. Unlike the Xbox 360’s Chatpad, which fits into the bottom of the controller, Sony’s keypad nestles into the top.

Sony’s wireless keypad is set for release December 15 and can be pre-ordered at Amazon. If you simply can’t wait, you can get one at Play-Asia right now for $49.90. If you could afford a PS3, you might just have the cash to burn.

xbox 360 messenger keypad price, release date

technabob — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:27:11 +0000

I first told you about the Xbox 360 Instant Messenger keypad way back in April. For months, the device has been nowhere to be found, and my fingers have gone numb attempting to reply to IM conversations while I’m trying to play Bioshock.

Well the good news is that Microsoft has confirmed that the device will be hitting stores next week, on or about September 4th. The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit snaps onto the bottom of your controller, and costs just 30 bucks. The keypad also features backlighting, which makes it much easier to converse in the dark. It also ships with its own headset, I’m guessing because the standard Xbox Live one won’t fit.

[via Kotaku]