So besides the English OG Xbox chatpad that Microsoft made there was also a planned French version using an AZERTY keyboard. It is unfortunately an unfinished prototype and does not actually function. Although there is a full board inside which could or could not work. Who knows? Besides the layout difference it lacks any print on the plastic itself for other symbols such as "<" and ">". BUT since it was unfinished and lacking stickers covering the screws I was able to take it apart kind of. Yes, I know this picture looks like it is barely opened but there are no screws on the front just seemingly two hooks that must be pushed in to be released and I can't get to them. So this is as far as I was willing to open it without it snapping off. Fortunately Microsoft printed the information on the bottom of the board at least. I am surprised these never ended up being released seeings as how the date of this board is from 2002 and appears to have gone through many revisions. And lastly for a really quick review of the keyboard.............the feel sucks. The buttons are rubber but not good rubber. It feels like typing on a balloon. Find a balloon. Draw some keys on it and type. You have now typed on a OG Xbox chatpad.
I think I saw this on eBay, the sticker with the (1) rings a bell. Ah yes, April 2017. SN DVT0927 Nice grab.
Yup, Ebay. Nothing gets past you Syclopse! The chatpad and controller actually survived Seattle's Retro Gaming Expo 2016 before it saw Ebay because no one bought it there. It was owned by Rob Barlow who worked for Microsoft back in the day on the original Xbox and Xbox 360. Although now he works at Pokemon International.
https://iplayoldgames.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/seattle-retro-gaming-expo-2016/ This is the Xbox Text Input Device (TID), according to Barlow. It is a one-of-a-kind prototype that never saw a full release until the Xbox 360’s Chatpad. The controller is also a unique prototype of the Xbox Controller S: It still has the sticker on the back with the word “Vertigo”, which was the name of the (first) original Xbox controller.
I don't know if he means just the French part is unique or what. The chatpad itself is not unique and neither is the controller because there are other Vertigo controllers out there was well. I'm not even sure when the Vertigo codename became a thing since I thought it was Akebono. Maybe Vertigo was just for the second version with the new chips?
I think I have a 80's GT BMX freestyle frame that is named Vertigo in the basement. But my thoughts exactly, Akebone, maybe Vertigo was rev2, does the controller have any special indents or anything to hold the chatpad in place? Assembler has an early black shiney S controller, I can't recall if it was labeled with a name or not. On another note, I could have sworn it was Gaming247 who won this auction, you must have traded with him?
Nope, it is just a regular Xbox controller besides the stickers. The chatpad can be snapped onto any s-type controller. Assembler's shiny black controller is actually the same as your clear s-type prototype. The label is exactly the same except for the serial number and the transparent part, his says black instead. Nope, I got to it right before he did. I passed on the Krypton and an Alamo which sold at the same time which Gaming247 got.
