If you remember the WWDC 2023 unveiling of Apple’s Vision Pro, you’ll likely remember the demo of the headset’s virtual keyboard. The keyboard appears to float in mid-air, allowing device wearers to input text in their spatial computing environment. Unfortunately, you may not want to dump your physical keyboard quite yet, as the virtual set of keys may not be ready for prime time.
According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the virtual keyboard experience in visionOS 1.0 is “a complete write-off,” and most user will want to stick with their Bluetooth keyboard instead.
“The Vision Pro virtual keyboard is a complete write-off at least in 1.0,” wrote Gurman in an X post. “You have to poke each key one finger at a time like you did before you learned how to type. There is no magical in-air typing. You can also look at a character and pinch. You’ll want a Bluetooth keyboard.”
According to Apple, the buttons on the virtual keyboard mimic the experience of pushing physical keys, and the keyboard even includes feedback via spatial sound effects to “compensate for the missing tactile information.”
The Vision Pro virtual keyboard is a complete write-off at least in 1.0. You have to poke each key one finger at a time like you did before you learned how to type. There is no magical in-air typing. You can also look at a character and pinch. You’ll want a Bluetooth keyboard.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) January 12, 2024
However, Gurman sounds as if Apple hasn’t quite perfected the experience. Fortunately, Vision Pro can be used with Mac accessories like the Magic Keyboard, and the Magic Trackpad for more traditional tactile input.
The Apple Vision Pro will be available starting at $3,499 (U.S.) with 256GB of storage. Pre-orders for Apple Vision Pro will begin on Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST, with availability beginning Friday, February 2.
