Unlike their "hard" counterparts (physical keys with fixed labels), soft keys are the shapeshifters of the user interface world. They are buttons whose functions change depending on the context of the software being used.
Instead of buying a new keyboard, use the Alt or Caps Lock key as a "layer switcher."
: Designed for businesses and schools, a single volume key can often activate multiple machines. These are cost-effective for organizations but are not intended for individual resale. The Benefits of Authentic Keys