Meet the Xbox 360’s new hardware gadget. It basically slots on the bottom of your controller turning it into a QWERTY-style miniature keyboard for use with the live messenger integration on the Xbox 360.

Granted you could just plug in a USB keyboard but having the keyboard so close to hand is much faster and easier. There’s nothing worse than chatting to someone when you’re let’s say…….playing Rainbow Six Vegas online! As typing with a controller will lose you a few kills at least and reaching down to your USB keyboard is no better.

So overall it ain’t much of a looker but it’s a great idea and for only $29.99 (around £15) you can’t complain. The only problem I see is that it plugs into your headset jack so unless it has another jack planted on the side of this baby, might be a problem for people with wired headsets.

Yet again we are seeing more Halo 3 merchandise and I must say most of it has been quite good, until now. Microsoft has released two limited edition controllers both halo 3 themed one Spartan and one covenant. To put it in the nicest way possible they are the ugliest piece of hardware I have ever seen, just take a look! They look like they were painted in some dodge porcelain factory in china.

The only good point i can think of is the fact that there wireless, even still would you pay $59.99 for one?

Halo 3 is coming out September 25th and oh boy i cant wait to get my hands on it. Of course Microsoft isn’t stupid they know that this is there most anticipated game for the 360 so there shipping out a limited edition Halo 3 themed Xbox 360 console to make there bank balance a little higher. For the ultimate Halo fans or those who have been waiting for the launch of Halo 3 before getting a 360 you might want to think about this one.

Spec wise its not quite an elite in disguise as it only has a 20gb Hard Drive but it does have HDMI.

Heres the full spec list:

Halo 3 Special Edition Wireless Controller
Halo 3 Special Edition 20GB Hard Drive
Halo 3 Special Edition Wired Headset
Halo 3 Special Edition Gamer Pics and Theme (Exclusive download via Xbox LIVE)
Component HD AV Cable
Ethernet Cable
HDMI Port
Play & Charge Kit
One-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership

BUT! the number one question is does it include the game?? well the answer is NO. So your gonna have to folk out a bit more depending on what version of halo 3 you want.

The cost of this machine is £279/$399 so if your thinking of getting an elite you could save a few pounds/dollars all though you will miss out on the 120gb that comes with the elite.

The Xbox 360 Elite is an updated version of the Xbox 360, Microsoft has added some much needed features into its games console such as HDMI support and a larger 120gb Hard Drive on the down side theres still no HD-DVD Drive integration witch is a shame and theres also no Wifi built in, the Elite comes in a new sleek black design complete with black controllers and accessories. The console is going to be quieter and a lot more cooler witch is needed with a console that sounds like a planes lifting off every time you turn it on. No official pricing has been released as of yet but the Elite is not a replacement for the Xbox 360 Core and Premium system, they will be sold as well as the Elite. Overall the 360 Elite is a good buy if you haven’t got an Xbox 360, but if you already own one theres no point and i don’t see no reason why Microsoft wont ship a 120gb hard drive accessories for non-elite customers, especially with IP-TV on its way.

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