I thought it fitting to write the Xbox One Chatpad review using the Chatpad itself as one of the benefits of the latter is that it also works on Windows 10 (I was using this via the USB cable). Granted you still need the mouse for fine tuning but the little pad actually does a good job when it comes to typing; I’ll talk more about this later.
Box & Design
Surprisingly the box content comes with an extra I was not expecting, in that you get the newer style mono 3.5mm headset i.e. the one shipped with the latest controllers/consoles (June 2015). The latter comes with the mute switch/volume rocker on the headset itself, though these are slightly redundant as the Chatpad can control this side of things as well.
Additionally you will find a small microUSB cable in the box which is there to help you upgrade your Chatpad’s firmware. However for newer controllers you can do this Wirelessly. Either way as soon as the Xbox One detects the Chatpad it will prompt you to upgrade the firmware; which I recommend you do. Mind you I did find that I had to do the upgrade process twice, as the first time it detects the controller’s firmware and then the next time it detects the Chatpad’s.
On top of this, in the box you get a warranty pamphlet and a quick start guide, but for the most part the Chatpad is not that difficulty to grasp in terms of installation and usability – especially if you have used the 360 version in the past.
As for the Chatpad itself the latter sports a design structure similar to the previously released Stereo Audio Adaptor that first gen controllers use (the one that plugs into the propriety interface to provide a 3.5mm audio port). However its shape is of course larger and it's designed to slot into the space between the left/right sides of the controllers hand grips, where it locks in pretty tight I have to say; this is not moving during use I can tell you!
The only observation when fitting the controller is that it looks like it’s not quite level, as if the Chatpad appears offset slightly. Though it could just be my imagination or a trick of the light, either way it does not pose any problems so it’s more of a minor observation, if that!
In terms of the finer details the Chatpad features a dedicated row of numbers and an array of QWERTY keys which double up alongside two function keys that are cleverly colour coded to reflect their dual functionality i.e. to activate special characters, such as the hash (#) key.
You also get additional Xbox One dedicated controls similar to what you would find on the aforementioned Stereo Audio Adaptor i.e. press the game controller button and the corresponding + and – button to adjust the in-game volume. There is also a similar option for in-game chat.
Finally you have the X1 and X2 buttons which at the moment are used for taking screen shots and record that moments. However I’ve also managed to test out the new programmable features which allow you to customise them i.e. open applications/games, launch the text message service and so forth. This works well, so it will certainly help you navigate around the OS better when the function arrives.
For the most part the board is well laid out with a feel that reminds me of some of the earlier Android smartphones; with their rubberised keys. Speaking of which, Keys are close together but are large enough and are slightly rounded at the top, to make them easier to press during typing.
I also like that the rubberised coating still offers enough grip while still allowing you to skip around the board in a sliding motion. Plus each key still gives off enough reassuring travel to enable me to type comfortably for short or longer periods (with some adjustment to my hand positions) if needs be. However I’m jumping ahead of myself here and I’ll come back to this side of things in the In-use section of the review.
Also the board is backlit, so when typing you can see what you are doing, even in the dark. When not in use the back light deactivates automatically so as not to dazzle or interfere with your gaming.
I also liked the dedicated row of number keys and the majority of commonly used keys are a one press affair i.e. the full stop and comma.
Additionally the two function buttons I was telling you about i.e. the green and orange ones, do light up with an even brighter colour so that you know that you are in the correct mode. Likewise the CAPS key also lights up to indicate that it is on.
Thus I think on the whole the Chatpad has been well thought out.
In-use Impressions
The Chatpad on its own weighs 57g and granted while it adds extra weight to the Xbox One controller some thought has gone into the weight distribution.
For example the weight helps you tilt the Chatpad towards you when typing and yet the controller still feels balanced/stable. It’s hard to explain, but the added weight has been well implemented so you tend to adapt to the way it feels.
For the most part the Chatpad does not impede any of the controller’s buttons or triggers. The only thing I did notice was the back of the Chatpad has edges that my fingers touch, but in fairness once I got used to this I tended not to even register they were there. In fact it’s got to the point now that I simply leave the Chatpad plugged in.
Plus it offers a handy means to switch to the keyboard when I need to send a message or browse the web and the audio capabilities now means I don’t need to use my Stereo Audio Adaptor anymore.
Speaking of which I tended not to use the mono headset that was supplied in the box, as I have my own gaming headset. However I do love playing games, such as Rise of the Tomb Raider, with my ministry of sound headphones. The Chatpad controls as I said at the beginning offered a simple system for adjusting the in-game volume of the latter and more importantly it certainly provides ample audio output and immersion quality.
Typing
The chatpad from a typing point of view works well for general typing and I can zip around the board without having to stretch to any of the keys. This is due to the design and balance of the board, as typing is stabilised naturally by the hands gripping the controller as you type. The Chatpad is also stable with the controller resting on your leg and in some ways it rests on the leg even better than before thanks to the design.
Typing is also comfortable for long periods as I have been typing this review using the Chatpad and it's pretty comfortable!
Keyboard Mapping
The only downside is that the keyboard mapping of several keys i.e. the # key and @ symbol does not work as intended. I have seen this happen on other keyboards, but basically if you use say the green button with the letter ‘W’ to produce the @ symbol it produces a “ instead, so you then have to press the key for the “ to get the @ symbol.
Update: However I have worked out the reason for my problem. According to the Xbox One Support page you need to make sure that your console and Chatpad language match. Your Chatpad's serial number is where it will tell you what version you have. For example if ends with the letter B, E, F, G or S this will indicate (B)ritish-English, US-(E)nglish, (F)rench, (G)erman or (S)panish.
Don't get me wrong the Chatpad is great for the most part, but I will still be heading back to the shop today to swap mine out, as according to the serial number the one I bought is a US Chatpad!
Shortcut Keys
The X1 and X2 dedicated shortcuts are also easy to press to capture screenshots and gameplay. However I also managed to play with another upcoming feature (arriving mid-2016) which allows you to customise the X1 and X2 buttons to launch say your favourite game or App. Additionally they can be used to adjust the volume of your TV if you have setup this side on your console.
Windows 10
The Chatpad also works with Windows 10, but the X1 and X2 keys don’t really do anything at this moment.
However what does work is the audio support, in terms of being able to plug in your headphones to the Chatpad and within Apps, such as YouTube, Groove Music and the like, the audio comes out of the headphones.
The only exception was iTunes, which did not work. However any Windows 10 enabled App or program will work fine.
The keyboard also works well for general typing, but you still need the mouse to place the cursor and so forth. Mind you, the same keyboard mapping problem I spoke of earlier will also happen in Windows 10 unless you get the correct Chatpad for your country.
In-line Mic
While I didn't use the supplied mono chat headset for chatting as such (as I use a 3rd party one) I have tried it for overlaying my voice, for both games captured on the Xbox One (via Upload Studio) and also on my Windows 10 PC via Bandicam.
I have to say from Windows 10 there was some noticeable interference from the recorded voice, almost like a clicking noise. You can also move the 3.5mm jack in the socket and you will get some static interference from here; as by default it changes the audio to the in-ear headpiece.
However the problem could be caused by the USB cable (which was also charging the controller’s batteries at the time, as I have a Play & Charge kit). I’ve had this with other headphones in the past. So I don’t think the microphone in Windows 10 is subtle for recording using the headset if you have the USB cable attached; it’s also quite low in terms of volume output anyway, so I would stick with the Xbox One side.....
The recorded audio here was actually a lot clearer on the Xbox One, as I was running wirelessly from the console with no visible signs of interference. The audio pickup was also louder!
Summary
At the end of the day for £29.99 the Chatpad offers a convenient way of entering text on your Xbox One or Windows 10 PC.
It also provides the added functionality of a Stereo Audio Adapter; so for older Xbox One controllers it will give you the option to plug-in your own headset/headphones.
However certain functions, such as the X1 and X2 button are not fully implemented yet, in terms of their customisation, until mid-2016. You also need to be careful in checking that the Chatpad you buy is designed for your chosen country. Then again I purchased mine from a UK retailer and it was still a US one! The key is to check on the serial number on the outer box and if it ends in an 'E' then it's US. You want 'B'!
Update 11/03/2016: I swapped my Chatpad over to one with a serial number ending in 'B' and I can confirm this definitely sorted the keyboard mapping problem out. Now the secondary functions work as intended!