The Evolution of the HotKey Puck

The Hotkey Puck is a unique, AQCOLOR-exclusive device from BenQ that was created to give photographers and designers a quick and easy way to adjust and navigate settings on your monitor. It is bundled with some of our AQCOLOR monitors and has become one of the most popular accessories with creative professionals. Over time, it has gone through different iterations based on the needs and feedback of our users and continues to evolve as we constantly learn about their needs. The newest monitors, the SW272U and SW272Q, come with the latest version, a wireless G3 HotKey Puck. Let us go over the history of this ingenious device and discuss what the future holds for it.

When we started making monitors that catered to the needs of creative professionals, we took the time to learn more about the workflow and various usage scenarios of photographers and designers.

We first learned that creative professionals frequently need to adjust their monitor settings for their various projects. Photographers and designers have to adjust the monitor’s color space based on the type of asset they are working on, switching from sRGB to Adobe RGB. Others like to change the monitor’s brightness to match their environment or enhance their comfort levels when working in a darkroom. Regardless of the situation, the need to adjust settings frequently is crucial for success in these creative professions, and we listened to their feedback as they expressed this need.

The second thing we learned is how their workspace and desktop setups affect their ability to work with efficiency. Professionals prefer larger monitors placed at a greater viewing distance to maximize productivity, often mounting them on their walls or desks. However, this distance makes it inconvenient to adjust the OSD settings, especially when you’re using the buttons on the monitor to navigate the menus or having to stand to change the settings each time.

Understanding the specific needs of our users helped us develop a unique solution to BenQ, the HotKey Puck. This AQCOLOR-exclusive device gives you a quick way to adjust the settings on your monitor, navigate OSD menus, change brightness, and select from your preferred preset settings. The HotKey Puck is easy to move around as needed and eliminates the need to stand or reach over to adjust monitor settings.

The first version of our HotKey Puck, Gen 0, directly addressed these professional needs. It was a controller that allowed for easy navigation of the OSD with large-sized buttons that function as the buttons on the monitor did. Additionally, it provided the user with three customizable keys that saved frequently used presets, allowing for switching between color spaces quickly once a preset button was clicked.

After the success of the Gen 0 HotKey Puck, we took the time to listen to the feedback about the device from our professional users. A significant concern was the reflection from the metallic, glossy finish on the body of Gen 0. For the next version, Gen 1, we switched to a matte gray material to avoid unwanted reflections on the screen. This is especially useful for working in darker environments.

The next HotKey Puck, Gen 2, was completely redesigned to provide an upgraded user experience. A dial in the center was added to scroll through settings and quickly select the OSD options. This version had great feedback on the design, but professionals were now seeking wireless options to minimize the number of cords on their setups.

The newest HotKey Puck, Gen 3, responded to this need. It is entirely wireless and can control multiple monitors simultaneously through IR technology. It has a sleek, matte finish, is ergonomically tilted for easier button access, and has more prominent buttons, including an important key, which allows instant access to monitor color settings for users. Thanks to the latest materials and added weight, it does not slide around your desk and feels sturdier in your hand. From the premium materials it’s made of to the invaluable haptic feedback of a hardware dial, these features provide the ultimate user experience.

The BenQ Hotkey Puck is a device in continuous development based on our users' valuable feedback. We aim for it to become more than a simple OSD controller in the future. The Puck could be a complete solution tool that enables easier color accuracy management for color-attentive professionals. Keep an eye out to see what upcoming improvements we’ll develop for the HotKey Puck and how it will simplify your color-focused workflow.