The Tech Report took a look at a prototype device which seems completely nonsensical at first glance, but by the end of the review may just capture your interest.  The Aimpad R5 analogue keyboard uses Cherry MX mechanical switches just the same as you would find in most mechanical keyboards but it also has something unique under the keycaps, an IR LED and sensor.  This means that the travel distance of your keypress can be measured and used as input, similar to a joystick or gamepad.  This seemingly useless feature is quickly shown to be useful in their first game test, DayZ.  A light press on the W key moves you forward at a walking pace, pressing slightly harder changes that to a run and bottoming the key out switches you to sprint; no other keypresses required.  This can also be useful if flying, in a game such as ARMA which emulates control surfaces properly or in games like Battlefield which offer a more arcade like flying experience.  Check out the full reivew to see what you think of the idea.

"Aimpad offered us a first look at the analog input technology it hopes will become commonplace in future mechanical keyboards. We've spent a lot of hands-on time with its analog secret sauce, and we're ready to say whether this technology is something every keyboard should have."

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