Pressure-sensitive keyboard could bring analog buttons to the masses

When Microsoft first unveiled a pair of smartcovers with integrated keyboards as a key part of its Windows 8 tablet strategy last week, most commentators saw the move as an attempt to position the tablet computers more directly against standard laptops. But for gamers, the Touch Cover in particular could open up some interesting new control options for PC games, if Microsoft and developers are savvy enough to capitalize on its potential.

The key to the Touch Cover's hidden potential as a new form of game control comes in its keyboard's little-noticed ability to differentiate between various levels of pressure being placed on each key. Microsoft's Panos Patay points out this feature about 41 minutes into the video of the tablet announcement, highlighting how the Touch Cover is "actually measuring every gram of force coming off my fingertips."

[More...]

[Comments...]