Microsoft has just announced a cool QWERTY Keyboard for the 360 Controller. The keyboard will plug into the existing headset port on the bottom of the controller. The keyboard is not compatible with existing wired headsets therefore the keyboard comes with a special version of the LIVE Headset. Users of the Wireless Headset have nothing to worry about. The QWERTY Keyboard is being released to support the new MSN Messenger Chat features that will come with the Spring Update next month. Via the Spring Update you will be able to conduct LIVE Messenger chats with all friends on MSN Messenger. Unfortunately the keyboard will not be available at the time of the Spring Update (MAY 7th) leaving you to use the Virtual Keyboard or USB Keyboard until the QWERTY Keyboard arrives this summer.

Finally a better solution than the Virtual Keyboard or USB Keyboard and with a sleek design. A list of everything included in the Spring Update is below:

• A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.

• Enhanced family settings features for Xbox LIVE communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.

• A new Xbox LIVE Marketplace blade lets Xbox LIVE members access the content they seek — whether it is game content or TV shows and movies (available in the United States) — from one place on Xbox LIVE.

• Updates to Xbox LIVE Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox LIVE Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox LIVE members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list. Expanded Tell a Friend capabilities make it easier than ever to boast about Achievements and high scores.

• A new option in Auto Downloads provides faster access to the entire collection of free, trial-version Xbox LIVE Arcade games.

• New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

• Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.

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