Microsoft Unveils Chatpad for Xbox One Controller

If you ever craved for Xbox 360's Chatpad accessory and wished there was something similar that you could use on your Xbox One console, Microsoft is fulfilling your wish. At the ongoing Gamescom event, the company announced a Chatpad accessory for the current generation gaming console.

Much like its Xbox 360 predecessor, the new Chatpad comes with an old fashioned Qwerty keyboard and looks identical to it. Once attached to the bottom of the controller, the Chatpad can make it very convenient for users to chat, message, and search.

The Chatpad comes with a 3.5mm jack as well as separate volume controller buttons, and two programmable buttons. The jack is meant for first generation Xbox One controllers that didn't feature an integrated jack. It also includes a Chat headset. The company says that the new Chatpad will support Windows 10. At this point there is no guarantee if it will work with the Xbox One Elite controller. The Chatpad is up for pre-order at an estimated retail price of $34.99 (roughly Rs. 2,300), and will go on sale on November 3 according to the Xbox site, but the Microsoft store points to an October 27 release.

If the Chatpad isn't enough, you could also soon use the mouse and the keyboard that you use with your computer with the gaming console. Company's Xbox One chief Phil Spencer noted in July that the Xbox One will soon add support for the traditional input methods.

With Windows 10, Microsoft is seemingly trying to blur the line between PC gaming and Xbox One gaming. Not only is the new desktop operating system comes with advanced DirectX 12 technology, but also allows users to stream Xbox One titles onto a PC. Microsoft is also working on bringing Windows 10 PC game streaming onto Xbox One.