New Windows gamepad keyboard will soon make typing on Legion Go, Asus ROG Ally more like the Steam Deck
Anyone who's played games on a Windows handheld PC will know that the Windows on-screen keyboard is pretty lacklustre. Not only do you have to stretch your thumbs over bulky controllers or use awkward joystick navigation to type, the default staggered QWERTY layout just doesn't really make sense for handheld use.
Now, however, according to a new Microsoft blog post, the latest Windows Insider Preview brings a new handheld-specific on-screen keyboard to the release channel. This not only allows a wider audience to test the new keyboard, which has some thought put into both the layout and the physical UX, it also signals that Microsoft is preparing to bring it to a mainline Windows build in the coming months.
Microsoft describes the keyboard in the post:
"[Gamepad keyboard] New! This update starts the roll out of a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard. With it, you can use your Xbox controller to move around the screen and type. Button accelerators are also available; these include the X button for backspace and the Y button for the spacebar. For better movement patterns, the keyboard keys are aligned vertically."
All of those sound like welcome changes, but the shortcut keys and orthogonal keyboard layout should prove particularly useful for gamers that prefer using controller inputs to enter text, since both changes will allow much faster, more intuitive keyboard navigation. The Steam Deck's dual touchpads may still have an edge over this Windows gamepad keyboard, but it's a good sign to see Microsoft finally start implementing changes to Windows that will positively affect the user experience on gaming handhelds.
It's likely that Windows gamers will still have to resort to the accessibility settings or manually bind a controller key combination to summon the on-screen keyboard, but it comes shortly after a slew of improvements to the Windows Game Bar. While it previously looked like Microsoft was more or less resting on its laurels, the rise in popularity of gaming handhelds — both Windows- and Linux-powered, has clearly given the software giant the impetus it needs to take handheld gaming seriously. Check out the full update notes for Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22631.4387 (KB5044380).
If you've been looking to get into handheld gaming, check out the Asus ROG Ally X (currently $799.99 from Best Buy).