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Meta's Quest 3 Keyboard: Typing Reimagined
4 Feb
Summary
- New Quest 3 beta software introduces Surface Keyboard feature.
- Surface Keyboard uses external cameras to project a virtual keyboard.
- Trackpad feature needs significant improvements for accuracy.
Meta is testing a new feature for its Quest 3 headset that could solve a major XR inconvenience: typing. The Surface Keyboard, available in the Horizon OS v85 PTC beta, allows users to virtually pin a keyboard to a flat surface and type using both hands. This experimental feature leverages the Quest 3's external cameras to create the virtual keyboard, activated simply by placing hands on a chosen surface.
Early testing suggests the Surface Keyboard offers a vastly improved typing experience over traditional XR methods, providing faster and more accurate input. While not matching physical keyboard speeds, it's the closest simulation yet for crucial tasks like entering Wi-Fi passwords or web searches. However, the integrated virtual trackpad remains problematic, with inconsistent input registration, indicating room for future development.
Whether this feature will be included in the official Horizon OS release remains uncertain. Despite the trackpad's current limitations, the core keyboard functionality is seen as a significant advancement. Meta's progress in this area suggests a notable improvement in VR keyboard technology, even as the company navigates the broader VR market.
