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[h=1]Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard announced at Gamescom (hands-on)[/h] By Mat Smith 
posted Aug 15th 2012 5:33AM
Hands-On
In the hubbub of a late evening soiree in the center of Cologne, Mad Catz unveiled its new gaming keyboard. While the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 keyboard is certainly punctuation-rich, it's aiming to match all those periods with just as many functions and permutations. The keyboard has a modular design, including a new touchscreen interface offering up some new swipe and gesture controls across both gaming titles and day-to-day PC use. Mad Catz reckons it's the final piece in their gaming range puzzle, complementing both the aforementioned R.A.T. mice and its F.R.E.Q gaming headsets. We take a closer look -- and throw in the suitably bombastic promo video -- after the break.
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard hands-on
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard press images
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3AbwJON7ECk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's that touchscreen interface (codenamed V.E.N.O.M.) that catches our eye first, looking like a smartphone docked to the edge of the modular board. The LCD touchscreen has several programmable screens, including volume controls, mid-game widgets and website launchers. Thre keyboard itself has interchangeable WASD and cursor keys to be tweaked to your liking while the backlighting is capable of (a brilliantly excessive) 16 million color variants. The function strip is again removable, with another four macro keys to call its own, while the numpad can join you either on the left or right side of the main board. An active palm rest rounds out the modules, with a thumb-wheel and additional action button -- it's joined by a pair of (yet again) adjustable wrist rests that anchor along the bottom edge.
The board feels reassuringly solid, although there was a little wiggle between the numpad and keyboard. Key presses were comfortable and we're intrigued as to how the thumb-wheel module would fare once we got used to it. The touchscreen would also take some getting used to, but it seemed well within reach when we took to our gaming pose with the keyboard on the show floor. A metal framework across the base and metallic feet also add to the premium feel. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 starts shipping today, priced at a weighty $300. Hit up the source if your gaming skills demand the best.
posted Aug 15th 2012 5:33AM Hands-On
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard hands-on
Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 gaming keyboard press images
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3AbwJON7ECk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's that touchscreen interface (codenamed V.E.N.O.M.) that catches our eye first, looking like a smartphone docked to the edge of the modular board. The LCD touchscreen has several programmable screens, including volume controls, mid-game widgets and website launchers. Thre keyboard itself has interchangeable WASD and cursor keys to be tweaked to your liking while the backlighting is capable of (a brilliantly excessive) 16 million color variants. The function strip is again removable, with another four macro keys to call its own, while the numpad can join you either on the left or right side of the main board. An active palm rest rounds out the modules, with a thumb-wheel and additional action button -- it's joined by a pair of (yet again) adjustable wrist rests that anchor along the bottom edge.
The board feels reassuringly solid, although there was a little wiggle between the numpad and keyboard. Key presses were comfortable and we're intrigued as to how the thumb-wheel module would fare once we got used to it. The touchscreen would also take some getting used to, but it seemed well within reach when we took to our gaming pose with the keyboard on the show floor. A metal framework across the base and metallic feet also add to the premium feel. The S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 starts shipping today, priced at a weighty $300. Hit up the source if your gaming skills demand the best.
