At first glance, I thought this was an actual mouse, and that you were supposed to drag a numerical keypad and a couple USB cables around the desk during use, but it's just a trackball mouse that's meant to stay put. Looks like it's got a standard 17-button keypad and two USB ports, and it connects via USB. If you're one of those Golden-Tee-loving types who's into trackballs, it's available for a kinda expensive 5,290Yen ($60). [RedFerret via OhGizmo]

Privacy, privacy, privacy. First there was the Blackberry visor for those who tried to hide the fact that they were looking at porn. Now enters the cleverly hooded USB keypad, which allows individuals seeking a certain level of privacy to do their work in the field with the utmost discretion. It's also sure to put paranoid pencil pushers at ease. Sadly, this is the category of number-punchers I fall under. I'll be hunched over my desk tip-tapping away while some shmuck try to peek over my shoulder. Too bad shmuck, you won't be able to see a thing (Please ignore me when I'm typing on my regular keyboard).

Whether you are a sneaky person or Excel monkey, the most covert of number pads is available for $18.99. [USB Fever via Geeky Gadgets]

On the upside, the keypad by itself, without its cheap attached keyboard, will only run you $200. Compare that to Optimus' baby, which goes for a rent-replacing sum of $650. It's plug-and-play with Windows, and the software is easy to use and pretty full-featured. It's more than just nine shortcut keys, including context-specific shortcuts and "'nested' command trees."

Unfortunately, those little 64x64 monochrome keys look exactly as awful as you'd expect, and the keys themselves are apparently pretty mushy and unappealing. The worst crime? It's Windows-only for now, though United Keys does promise that Mac and Linux support will roll out soon. My opinion? If you really want an Optimus Aux, go buy one. And if you can't afford one, maybe this isn't the gadget to cheap out on. [Engadget]

TOKYO, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS(TM) and DUALSHOCK(R)3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.

The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation(R)Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.

Equipped with Bluetooth(R) functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar) such as "Friends" and "Message Box" during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.

More and more exclusive software titles that will support text chat feature are scheduled for release towards the end of the year including LittleBigPlanet(TM) (SCEI).

SCEI will vigorously promote various measures to introduce new entertainment world that can be further enriched through the network, including PlayStation Home.

Release date and price of this product will be announced later in each region.