You can say what you like about console gaming but it has some positive aspects. One of these things is that it makes using a controller easy. Microsoft has now made a move to make controller gaming on PC more convenient. They have released a virtual keyboard layout that is designed specifically for controllers.
Microsoft announced in a blog post for Windows 11 Insider preview build 22635.4145 via The Verge that "We're starting to roll out a Gamepad keyboard layout for Windows 11 which supports the ability to navigate and type using your Xbox controller."
This includes button accelerators, for example: X for backspace and Y for spacebar. Additionally, the keyboard keys were vertically aligned to improve controller navigation patterns.
It's a virtual keyboard you can use with a controller. This feature has been the envy for couch PC gamers since quite some time. Windows can't do it, but consoles can.
This feature isn't very useful for PC players who play with a keyboard and controller at their desk. It's much easier to lean backwards to use a keyboard. This could be useful for those who play on the couch.
I've been using this a lot lately. Since I got the Avermedia X'tra Go GC515 dock, I've done a lot gaming on my Lenovo Legion Go, while sitting on my couch and running the display to my TV.
The dock is convenient for connecting a keyboard. However, since I don't type all the time when gaming, a controller that supports the Windows virtual keyboard would be more convenient.
Heck, I may even prefer the new virtual keyboard to using the touchscreen on the handheld for quick keyboard input. Let's hope the feature works and becomes a stable release.
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