Think Digit - your technology navigator

Text and voice chat just got easier!



Console gamers need not worry about being deprived of keyboards anymore—well, not Xbox 360 owners, at least. Microsoft has thought it all out and designed a keyboard that works with the Xbox 360.

The keyboard—which is rather pretty—easily attaches to the bottom of the controller. It has a grey colour theme highlighted with white, orange, and green characters to denote special characters and punctuation marks, which can be accessed using the two (orange and green) function keys at the bottom. Unlike the [Shift] and [Alt] keys on a PC keyboard, these are toggle keys and don’t require you to keep them held down. The keys are sturdy and give good feedback, much like those of good cell phones. They are also backlit, which adds to the visual appeal—more importantly, this allows you to chat with the lights out.

Completing the kit is the headset (with only a single headphone). The headband is adjustable, but the length of the microphone’s band isn’t. It’s flexible and you can change its direction, though. Comfort level is decent, and the set should fit most people. There’s a small dial and switch for switching the microphone on and off, and for the headset volume.

The headset connects to the keyboard using a 2.5 mm connector for voice chat on Xbox Live. Don’t expect to use this for in-game sound, though.

The Xbox 360 Messenger Kit is priced at Rs 1,600, and we think it’s worth it. It brings a whole lot of flexibility to the console without being too bulky, and blends in perfectly with the controller’s shape. And chatting on Xbox Live will never be a pain again!

Contact : Redington   
Phone : 1800-425-3718
E-mail : vivekul@microsoft.com
Web site : www.microsoft.com
Price : Rs 1,600