On its recent press release, Blue Orb announced a very interesting product called Texter. It’s an easy-to-use, plug-and-play accessory that plugs in between the game console and controller. By using Texter, typing the message on the screen or surf the web will be much more convenient, compared to the standard onscreen keyboards. The Texter for the PlayStation 2 is now available, and the Xbox 360 Texter will be available in early December 2006.

Dr. Pete McAlindon, president and CEO of Blue Orb, commented on the new products, “Our message is simple. Every game controller has a keyboard locked inside of it. We unlock it!” McAlindon also observed that “With the Texter, text messaging and voice chat compliment each other perfectly. The gamer has the flexibility to easily communicate with team members and buddies in voice or text, depending on where they are in the game.”

From their website:

The Texter™ is a simple piece of technology that connects between your videogame and controller. Once connected a simple double click of your controller’s left joystick activates the Texter™. Once activated, you can use your controller joysticks to type! Click the left joystick again to get right back to your game.

The two joysticks type everything you’ll find on a regular keyboard. Learning is easy with color and character ring decals that fit right around the joysticks. The Texter™ doesn’t replace the way you currently type but provides an alternative to on-screen keyboards and USB keyboards for in-game messaging and online chatting. With the Texter™, there is nothing in the way, nothing to pick up or put down. Easy to use, fast and accurate typing right from your favorite controller.

[ Press ]