Microsoft has revealed its plans to launch a QWERTY style handheld keyboard add-on for its Xbox 360 game controller. In a company press release Microsoft said that the keyboard will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging even though they released a photo of what appears to be a keyboard/game controller that’s one unit. Maybe there will be both the keyboard add-on and a keyboard controller? It seems that we’ll know in a month or two.

In any case Microsoft is making this move because it will be launching its Windows Live Messenger service on Xbox 360 the week of May 7. Now the console gamers can chat with those that have MSN on their PCs and WMAs. However, before you start having visions of chatting away to your buds while playing “Gears of War”, anyone that’s ever had to compose a text message using the current Xbox 360 controller knows how incredibly long and awkward it is to write a message without a keyboard. Thankfully, the company says that we’ll be able to also connect a USB keyboard to the console by the time MSN rolls out for the 360.

NewLaunches