The Real Reason The PS3 Keypad Is Due Out In December

I'm really just taking a shot in the dark here, but it's one that followers of the Next-Gen console wars might relate to.


Late last week Sony announced that the PS3 Wireless keypad, a Bluetooth device that attaches to DUALSHOCK 3 and SIXAXIS wireless controllers making texting, IM, Internet browsing and e-mailing through PlayStation 3 MUCH easier, had been pushed to December from its November release date. Granted that's not much of a push, but considering the fact that the keypad has been positioned since its announcement as being designed to enhance the functionality of Sony's much delayed PlayStation Home, a community-based online social network that much of the PS3's PlayStation Network (PSN) is thought will be anchored to for years to come, it's hard not to see the two as attached at the hip. So, my guess is that the PS3 keypad will release in the first week of December, quickly followed by the launch of the open Beta of Playstation Home (closed Beta is going on now) and a quick hard launch by the New year.
These question marks around timing might be altogether minor if it were not for the fact of what PlayStation's opponent in the Console Wars are doing, oh, tomorrow; that would be launching the New Xbox Experience (NXE). Although PlayStation has a large install base and assumed number of active PSN accounts--14 million according to the PS3 birthday post on the PlayStation blog the other day--continuing to allow Xbox LIVE to beat them to the punch in the online arena will eventually take a very heavy toll. The most expensive part of that toll will be in the non-gaming arena via the streaming video on demand that NXE is pioneering through its deal with Netflix. This in conjunction with a low cost could in effect increase the Xbox 360's install base and paying Gold Memberships to the LIVE service (PSN is free, hence the large number of users) by millions in a very short period of time. Today Sony took action to lessen the impact of the Netflix functionality by rescinding Netflix's rights to stream content owned by Sony Columbia Pictures to Xbox 360s. Nice block on Sony's part, but there is a lot more work for them to do yet, beginning with the PS3 Keypad-PlayStation Home release and launch, and hopefully soon streaming functionality of their own.

Check out more details and specs on the PS3 Wireless Keypad at the PlayStation.com.