I reported this in Ubuntu as
<https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+source/gtk+2.0/+bug/16492>: "Whenever you press a non-modifier key on the keyboard, if the pointing device has been neither moved nor clicked in the past ~0.25 seconds, the pointer should disappear until the pointing device is next moved or clicked." (The modifier key exception prevents the cursor from disappearing when about to Alt+click etc.)

*** Bug 321315 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

This is done by the 'unclutter' tool :
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/X11/contrib/utilities/unclutter-8.README

It is packaged for most linux distros.

Unfortunately that's not what unclutter does: it hides the cursor on inactivity (so it would disappear when you were trying to use it to point out something in a presentation, for example), instead of hiding it on keyboard use. And often keyboard use happens quite quickly after clicking in the place where you want to type, so unclutter would be too slow.

It also has an option to hide the cursor on keyboard activity (the -keystroke option).

GTK+ does this for entries and text views. I don't think it is really needed anywhere else.

Problem reproduced in Desktop Background Preferences (Gnome 2.16.1), Dictionary 2.16.1, Evince 0.6.1, Evolution 2.8.1, File Roller 2.16.1, Gaim 2.0.0beta3.1, gconf-editor 2.16.0, Gimp 2.2.13, Gnometris 2.16.1, gThumb 2.7.9, HAL Device Manager 0.5.7.1, Keyboard Shortcuts (Gnome 2.16.1), Keyring Manager 2.16.0, Login Window Preferences (Gnome 2.16.1), Nautilus 2.16.1, Network Proxy Preferences (Gnome 2.16.1), Network Settings (Gnome 2.16.1), Network Tools 2.16.0, Rhythmbox 0.9.6, Screensaver Preferences (Gnome 2.16.1), Sessions (Gnome 2.16.1), System Log Viewer 2.16.1, System Monitor 2.16.1, Theme Preferences (Gnome 2.16.1), Totem 2.16.2, Users settings (Gnome 2.16.1), and Yelp 2.16.1. Reopening.

I could report separate bugs about every one of these programs, but that would be a large waste of time and code, when it could be fixed in GTK.

You didn't explain what exactly you think is missing from the current implementation of this feature...

Differences between comment 1 and the current implementation:

1.  The current implementation works only for text fields. It doesn't work
    when reading or viewing anything else -- such as a document, a movie, a
    game, or a listbox item. It should work whatever is focused.

2.  Even in text fields, the current implementation doesn't work for arrow
    keys or the Tab key. For example, if you're using Epiphany, click
    immediately to the right of the "z" in this page's URL, then (without
    moving the cursor) press the right arrow key. It'll be quite hard to see
    where the insertion point is, because the cursor is still in the way.
    The cursor should be hidden when any non-modifier key is pressed.

3.  The cursor incorrectly reappears when a menu opens -- for example,
    Epiphany's URL auto-complete menu (but the problem can be reproduced in
    any window containing both a text field and menus with access keys). The
    hiding should not be affected by opening or closing menus. (This might
    be a symptom of the first problem.)

I just did some file browsing with a recent version (Feisty beta), using the keyboard.
Then, I had to reach for the mouse to move the pointer out of the way, because it was covering the name of the file I was looking at.

GNOME 2.18, gtk+ 2.10.11

*** Bug 557261 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

I love using GNOME but this feature is missing.  On a Macintosh, when you start typing text the mouse cursor is immediately obscured (rendered invisible) until the mouse device is again activated by some physical motion.  If you can implement this in GNOME your users will feel a glow of happiness whose source they may not even recognize.  The subliminal relief at not having to push the cursor out of the way to reveal a hidden word will add to the existing feeling of using a user interface that cares that is already so much a part of the GNOME experience.  Please write this behavior into the H.I.G. document at http://library.gnome.org/devel/hig-book/stable/.

I tried unclutter and it is almost right.  The -keystroke option doesn't work for me, but with -idle 1 the cursor is usually vanished, which is not what the Mac does but close enough.  I thought this might be an X issue and not a GNOME issue but reading your comments reassured me: GNOME is already embracing the desired behavior for entries and text views.  I do not know what distinguishes a text view from this box I am typing into in the web browser to submit the bug, but that seems to be the disconnect here because the cursor stays right on top of my text.

Since this feature is an obvious HI win and GNOME has already implemented it partially, why not extend it to be normal keyboard/mouse protocol for GNOME and accept the win for GNOME instead of asking users to install additional X functionality?

I think the HIG would be an inappropriate place for this, because it's not something application developers should have to care about. It should Just Work.

(In reply to comment #6)
> GTK+ does this for entries and text views. I don't think it is really needed
> anywhere else.

Out of curiosity , is there a blocker for making this change in gtk+ or is it that we see no advantage in doing it ?

blocker ? no. I stated my opinion in comment 6

We're moving to gitlab! As part of this move, we are closing bugs that haven't seen activity in more than 5 years. If this issue is still imporant to you and
still relevant with GTK+ 3.22 or master, please consider creating a gitlab issue
for it.