Quest 3's Horizon OS v85 PTC: Transforming Surfaces into Virtual Keyboards and More
Meta's Quest 3, equipped with Horizon OS v85 PTC, offers an exciting feature that turns any surface into a virtual keyboard. This innovative technology, showcased by Meta, is a game-changer for text entry in XR devices. But that's not all! Quest 3S users can also look forward to a unique feature.
Surface Keyboard: Typing Made Easy
The Surface Keyboard is an experimental feature available exclusively on Quest 3, not Quest 3S. It revolutionizes text input by projecting a virtual keyboard onto any surface, such as a table or desk. Setting it up is simple: place your hands flat on the desired surface, and within seconds, the keyboard appears. This height calibration step ensures accuracy.
In initial testing, the Surface Keyboard proved remarkably precise. Its ability to support your hands makes it superior to traditional floating keyboards, enabling faster typing. Currently, it's accessible in the Horizon OS home space, passthrough, or virtual environments. Meta's API for developers will be crucial for future integration.
Meta's Research: Any Surface, Any Keyboard
Meta's research team has been working on a groundbreaking concept for at least six years, aiming to transform any flat surface into a virtual keyboard using ambient haptics. In 2023, they unveiled a prototype that impressed Mark Zuckerberg, claiming a typing speed of 100 words per minute. However, this prototype required a tracking marker on the table, and its error rate was undisclosed.
In 2024, researchers from Meta and ETH Zurich made a significant breakthrough. They developed TouchInsight, a software solution that eliminates the need for markers. By combining a neural network predicting touch events with a language model, they've achieved the goal of turning any surface into a virtual keyboard.
Quest 3S's Action Button Remap
Quest 3S users will appreciate the ability to remap the Action Button in Horizon OS v85 PTC. This button, initially designed for toggling passthrough, can now be customized to perform other functions, enhancing the overall user experience.
Navigator UI and Horizon Feed Changes
Meta has also announced changes to the Horizon Feed and the introduction of the new 'Navigator' UI in the stable version of Horizon OS v85. These updates will significantly impact the user interface, and Quest 3 users can expect to see these changes in the PTC build, albeit at Meta's usual slow rollout pace.
