Sony Announces 160GB PS3, Wireless Keypad Add-On

Author	Hugo Jobling
Published	21st Aug 2008

Sony Announces 160GB PS3, Wireless Keypad Add-On

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So, over in Leipzig the Games Convention has kicked off for another year, bringing with it a slew of announcements, some good some bad. Sony, for instance has gone ahead and soft-launched a bunch of new stuff, in the form of an entirely underwhelming 160GB PlayStation 3 SKU, and the much more interesting Wireless Keypad.

As per the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, the PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad is designed to allow quick text input when composing messages to friends or chatting in compatible games - not to mention PlayStation Home when it finally becomes available.

Regular users of the PS3's web browser will doubtless appreciate not only the addition of the keys, but also a function button which turns the entire surface into a touchpad for mouse navigation. Further, and arguably bettering third-party rival keyboards, the official keypad will slot on top of a SixAxis or DualShock 3 controller, although it talks to the PS3 using its own Bluetooth connection, unlike the 360 pad. Pricing and release dates are under wraps at the moment, but at a guess we're probably looking at £30 and in time for Christmas.

On the PS3 SKU side of things, Sony is introducing a 160GB version which is, aside from the increased hard drive capacity, is identical in every way to the 80GB model launching tomorrow. Supposedly this version will cost £50 more than the 80GB console, which isn't great value when you consider you can pick up a 250gb 2.5in hard drive for around £45 and fit it to an 80GB PS3 yourself.

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Stephen Allred said on 21st August 2008

"The console will feature the same specifications at the current PlayStation 3, but will also come with EUR 70 worth of additional downloadable content, "to be announced ... more