Wireless Federation

Blue Orb’s Texter^TM for Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 2 Enables In-game Messaging From a Controller With No Onscreen Keyboard

ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Blue Orb, Inc. announced today the launch of a family of products that bring new text messaging capabilities to online video gamers everywhere. Now for the first time, gamers can generate text messages directly from their game controller. This capability is provided by the Blue Orb’s Texter^TM, an easy-to-use, plug-and-play accessory that plugs in between the game console and controller.

Gamers use the Texter with PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360 online environments for in-game messaging, text chatting, and Web browsing. The Texter appears to be a USB keyboard to the console and game. Typing with the Texter is much faster than using onscreen keyboards, and eliminates the need for an external USB keyboard. Messaging becomes a part of the gaming experience. 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.�

Ben Noel, gaming industry veteran and executive director of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, the Orlando-based graduate-level video game design school, has watched the development of the Texter product family. Noel said, “In my experience in the video game industry, I have seen very few new products that are truly innovative. The Texter lets text messaging be an integral part of console online gaming.�

The Texter for PlayStation 2 is available now for purchase online at Amazon.com, and the Texter for Xbox 360 will be added in early December. Retailers carrying the Texter are being added, and information on new retailers carrying the product will be listed at www.blueorb.com.