The Sony stork dropped off their new PS3 wireless keypad earlier this week and we’ve put it through the paces. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a Bluetooth accessory that clips onto the PS3 controller that allows you to type messages, internet addresses and field information, PSN codes, etc. with a full QWERTY keyboard layout. If you do a lot of typing on your PS3, this one is definitely for you.

I’ve always been a big fan of messaging on consoles. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends while they aren’t online. Since the PS3 doesn’t support sending voice messages, typing them out is the only way. The Wireless Keypad does a great job of simplifying the messaging experience.

Pairing the Wireless Keypad with your PS3 is as simple and plugging it in via USB. Because it’s a standalone Bluetooth device, you’ll need to charge it separately from your DualShock3 controller. There is an on/off switch so you won’t just run out the battery life. You can also pair the Keypad with other Bluetooth devices if you so choose.

The build quality is good, as expected. You won’t feel like you’re going to break it, but sometimes, if you press too hard, you may feel like it’s going to snap off the controller. The placement above the controller is the main reason for this, which also makes it a bit awkward to move back and forth between typing and standard controls for those with smaller hands. A full shift of your hands upward is required to type and well a shift back down to use the DualShock buttons. Not a deal breaker, as every keypad device suffers the same issue. It is important to note that in no way does having the Wireless Keypad on your controller hinder your ability to use the shoulder buttons and triggers.

The buttons are a little small, so you may end up hitting an unwanted key every now and again. After using for a couple hours, though, I was typing away pretty fast with very few errors. The keyboard layout is good with the blue and red shoulder buttons used for modifiers to access various symbols. There are buttons to quickly pull up your Friends list and the Message Box in the XMB, which is a nice touch. The Wireless Keypad also features a touchpad mode where you can use the Keypad as a mouse for the internet browser and other functions on the PS3. I was surprised at how well this works with the touch sensativity of the buttons. It probably won’t see too much use, but it’s nice to know that functionality is there.

Is it worth the $49.99 entry fee? It’s really up to you. If messaging is your thing, then this is certainly a good product. But if you’re only sending a couple messages a month, probably not something you’ll need very soon.

Verdict: Buy if you’re a big PS3 messaging fan