OK its odd but hear me out :)

python used to allow raw REPL keygrabs (e.g. 'press any key to continue') but deprecated it in 3 for just input() which is blocking and requires a return key

it would be useful for interactive-at-the repl scripts to have a non-input() way of getting raw characters. i mean, you can send individual chars with print("x", end='') so why not have the reverse :D

also, using input() wonks with the REPL history: if you use input() it puts that entry into the history which i think is a bit odd: