During the Leipzig Games Convention, Sony announced the release of a brand new peripheral called the Wireless Keypad, which will be made available in November, exactly when PlayStation Home will be launched.

The device is compatible with both the Sixaxis and the DualShock 3 controllers and with it, gamers will be able to send messages to each other through the PlayStation Network.

One of the most innovative features of the keypad is that user can go into a special mode which turns the whole surface into an actual touch pad that can then be used just like when navigating on a webpage.

The new product also features built-in is Bluetooth support, as well as two especially designed shortcut buttons, with the help of which the PlayStation 3’s messaging features will be easily accessible. It comes with a full QWERTY layout and,  as it only adds about 60g to the total weight of the controller, it shouldn’t be too difficult to handle.

Although a price for the Wireless Keypad hasn’t been disclosed yet, as the release date will close in, the company will surely make further announcements. The wireless keypad will reach the Unites States at the end of November and will be made available in Asia and Europe by the end of 2008.

Up to this point, only a few titles that support in-game text messaging have been announced, including LittleBigPlanet and Home.