[edit] Multimedia keyboards
Multimedia keyboards offer special keys for accessing music, web, and other oft-used programs. They also usually have other convenient controls, such as a mute button, volume buttons or knob, and standby (sleep) button.
[edit] Gaming keyboards
Some gaming keyboards offer extra function keys which can be programmed with keystroke macros. For example, ctrl+shift+y could be a keystroke that is frequently used in a certain computer game. But it is a physically awkward (or, at least, annoying) combination for the hands to reach for repeatedly. It may be very useful to assign that keystroke combination to one function key. Some keyboards (Such as the Logitech G11 or G15) have a keypad full of “G keys” to the left of the QWERTY keyboard for this purpose. The keystroke macros can be reprogrammed at will.
The development of these keyboards was spurred by gaming, but the concept can also be very convenient in non-gaming applications, such as office work. Any keystroke combination that is awkward or annoying but frequently needed can be replaced with a “G key”. The meaning of the “G key” press can automatically change depending on which application has focus, thus extending the number of macros available given a certain limited number of G keys.
Virtual keyboards
A relatively new type of keyboard, the I-Tech Virtual Laser Keyboard, works by projecting an image of a full-size keyboard onto a surface. Sensors in the projection unit identify which key is being “pressed” and relay the signals to a computer or personal digital assistant.
