Elgato's Stream Deck Modules let you easily build custom macropads
"Stream Deck Everywhere" is the new approach Elgato is taking towards its programmable control pads. On Monday at Computex, the company revealed Stream Deck Modules - stripped-down integration-ready versions of its mainstream gadgets. Available in 6-key, 15-key and 32-key variants to mirror the Stream Deck Mini, MK II and XL, the modules come in minimalist aluminum housing and no apparent branding.
Stream Deck Modules are intended for hobbyists and OEMs to save the effort of having to rip apart retail Stream Decks in order to retrofit the buttons for custom builds. Elgato is offering these barebones gadgets with third party plug-ins and SDKs starting at $49.99 for the 6-key variant, $129.99 for 15 keys, and $199.99 for the maxed-out module with 32 keys. However there are discounts; the company has listed up to 15% off for bulk purchases.
For those less inclined to tinker, the original Stream Deck MK II without the dials and touch strip now has a scissor-key variant that should give the buttons the snappy tactile feedback of a real keyboard. Last month, Elgato played around this idea with an April Fool's video of a "Stream Deck desk" riddled with 1,262 keys. Perhaps a real Stream Deck keyboard can be expected in the not-too-distant future.
All versions of the original Stream Deck with either scissor-keys or classic membrane keys can be purchased on the company's website from $59.99 to $249.99.
Purchasing any of the Stream Deck models gives access to Elgato's Virtual Stream Deck for desktop. By itself, VSD is free for PC and Mac and requires users to download Stream Deck 7.0 software from Elgato's beta hub. VSD will let users add unlimited macro keys to the desktop, the taskbar, or pinned anywhere on the screen.
In contrast, the Stream Deck mobile app for Android and iOS requires a Pro subscription to customize the layout or use more than six keys.
In keeping with its brand strategy, Elgato has a new gadget to expand the reach of Stream Deck beyond it's humble desktop habit. The network dock is a small accessory that supports PoE which lets your Stream Deck deploy commands over a network, transcending the limits of a USB cable. This device is not yet available for shipping although Elgato promises it will launch "later this summer".
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