I have been having a chat recently with an android app developer. He told me he had already plans for a project like Softkeys. Had also an "engineering/prototype" app of software buttons. Unfortunately the app did not install on the HD2, but was meant to be used on an android tablet.
He researched the abilities to make programmed shortcuts to hardware buttons ... but told me, that by now in Android 2.2 it was not possible, may be it would be in Android 2.3 ...
