User interfaces or input devices are provided with both touch-sensitive (e.g., capacitive) and mechanical hardware input portions. Mechanical switches are overlaid with a touch sensitive pad, providing improved versatility of input. An application programming interface (API) enables different modes of input operation for the mechanical and touch sensitive input portions, whereby various combinations and/or permutations of touch sensitive input portions and/or mechanical input portions are enabled or disabled to provide optimal input characteristics for a set of tasks at hand. Visual or audio indicators may be utilized to reveal the mode of operation to the user. The touch sensitive pad may be a capacitive touchpad, a touch sensitive display screen, a conveyor belt or a push pad. Up to 9 mechanical switches may be placed underneath the touch sensitive input portions.