In the Horizon OS v85 (PTC) public beta, Meta is testing the revolutionary Surface Keyboard feature—exclusive to Quest 3. Now users can type directly on a real surface: simply place their palms on the table, and in a few seconds, the surface transforms into a virtual keyboard with precise haptic feedback.
This feature is only available for the Meta Quest 3 augmented reality headset and is not supported by other Meta headset models.
Working on a PC in VR technically doesn’t require a physical keyboard, but in practice, a physical keyboard has proven to be superior for typing even in VR thanks to its tactile feedback and ergonomics. Virtual keyboards, which “hover” in front of the user, don’t provide a comfortable typing experience. Holding your arms up for long periods of time is quite tiring, making long typing sessions a real chore.
The Surface’s virtual keyboard may be a good compromise between a physical keyboard and typing in the air. However, the virtual touchpad is unlikely to be useful in VR. Navigating web pages or a virtual desktop by sliding your fingers across the table can be quite awkward compared to natural hand gestures.
Meta worked on the technology for over six years. Early prototypes required a marker on the table, but in 2024, researchers from Meta and ETH Zurich solved the problem using a touch-prediction neural network and a language model—without additional labels.
