Gamespot's James Yu was able to get some hands-on time with the Xbox 360 chatpad, a clip-on keyboard for the Xbox 360 game controller. Microsoft had first announced the chatpad add-on after the spring '07 dashboard update with MSN Messenger support made it obvious that some sort of texting accessory would eventually be coming our way.
Preliminary testing tells us that the keyboard has a solid feel with buttons that provide ample feedback. The chatpad will not get in the way of your gaming, since your hands rest comfortably on either side of the device.
The chatpad will be bundled along with a new wired headset in a $30 Messenger Kit package and will be available September 6. Look for a full review of the Messenger Kit here on CNET soon.
See the rest of James Yu's first impressions here.