An actual nice accessorie from MS has been reviewed at bit-tech
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2005/10/05/remote_keyboard_mce/1.html
Conclusion
its not too bad in price I was thinking about getting this, and this made me want it more
Sound like a new piece of hardware for Eguy :wavey:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2005/10/05/remote_keyboard_mce/1.html

It's no surprise, then, that Microsoft has made an effort to make kit based around their current plat(form) du jour, Media Center. We have already looked at the remote control that ships with most Media Center PCs, and proclaimed it worthy of attachment to your nearest USB port. However, one of the great things about Media Center PCs is that whilst they can do all the cool TV stuff, you can still use them as normal PCs. OK, so you might not want to write your doctoral thesis on a 42" plasma, but you can certainly browse the web or check your email - or even root around for photos to show friends and whatnot. This requires a keyboard, not just a remote control. Undoubtedly, there's no point having Media Center in the living room and using a standard, wired keyboard and mouse - that just looks ugly. So, Microsoft has come up with this, which aims to be the only Media Center control device you need.
The Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition, to give it its full moniker, is a small keyboard with media buttons on either side and a pointing device built in. The mouse pointer is a small 'nipple', not unlike those seen on IBM Thinkpads. The functions of the Media Center remote are replicated on the left and right of the keyboard, with the iconic Start button and the other sundry shortcuts. Across the top of the keyboard are shortcuts to sections in the software like My Music or My Photos. In terms of the keys, they are a cross between low-profile laptop keys and full-size ones. The layout is pretty spacious, but eschews a number pad in favour of additional function buttons. The arrow keys are a little cramped, and things are a little tighter than your average desktop keyboard, but the typing experience is a good one, overall. There's no software included in the box: to install the keyboard, you'll need to get a Windows Update from the web. I don't know why Microsoft can't include a CD with this on in the box - perhaps because it wants people to go through the rigmarole of Windows Genuine Advantage? This restricts downloads to verified non-pirated installations of Windows - something that already applies to stuff like DirectX 9.0c downloads.

The backlight is a cool orange, which looks pretty snazzy in the dark. However, we can't help but wonder if it should have been green or blue, carrying on the Media Center colour scheme?
The pointing device, as we mentioned, is of the 'nipple' variety. However, it's a little bit more complicated than that. In fact, the nipple / nubbin / protuberance is actually quite difficult to get the hang of. You can't just move it left and right, you see - you have to apply pressure downwards too. This can make it bizarrely difficult to get a good level of accuracy, and I couldn't quite work out whether I was better off using my thumb or my forefinger. Undoubtedly you'll grow accustomed to it, but it's not a 'pick up and work perfectly' device like a trackpad or trackball. The left and right mouse buttons are on the left hand side of the keyboard, so that you can tweak the nipple with your right hand and push the buttons with your left. All sounds rather sordid, doesn't it?
Conclusion
The keyboard is currently retailing for just under £40 at Scan or just under $70 at Newegg. If you require the USB dongle, that will set you back an additional £20. There are many cheaper cordless keyboard available - Logitech and of course, Microsoft, have various models, but most are designed for desktop use. There is no doubting you pay a small premium for the shortcut buttons, flashy backlighting and lap-friendly shape, but that premium exists for many of Microsoft's range of peripherals. This isn't going to be a replacement keyboard for your main system - it really is a specialised device. After a few days using the device with my Media Center system, I can really see how it can make a difference to usage. If I'm sitting in front of the TV and want to do a quick search, rather than grab my laptop, I can just fire up IE and hit Google on my LCD TV. With some practice, I've become pretty good at tweaking the nipple perfectly, and can now perform impressive gesticular movements. How far you will use it is really up to you. For instance, if you don't have a coffee table next to your sofa, you might find yourself lacking somewhere to put the keyboard, whereas a simple remote might just languish on the arm of the sofa. You might be incredibly clumsy with your drinks, in which case a remote is probably more robust and / or expendable. However, if you think you could perhaps use one of these keyboards, the pricing is in the right spot: you wouldn't want to pay any more for it, but the quality is such that you can happily fork out the asking price knowing you've bought a top piece of kit.
its not too bad in price I was thinking about getting this, and this made me want it more
All in all, then, a very useful accessory for anybody with a Media Center setup.
Sound like a new piece of hardware for Eguy :wavey: