Elgato’s Stream Deck is a cool little bit of desktop bling, but when you have already got a Wi-Fi-connected display like a cellphone or pill sitting in your desk, why do you want devoted {hardware} for PC and streaming shortcuts? You don’t: The official Stream Deck Mobile app can replicate principally the entire gadget’s capabilities, albeit somewhat bit extra slowly. Previously, the official Stream Deck app for iOS was solely out there in subscription type, however beginning at the moment customers can map as much as six hotkeys at no cost.

That principally turns your iPhone or iPad right into a Stream Deck Mini, a $70 array of six buttons with user-customizable screens. The Stream Deck Mobile app connects over your native community to the Stream Deck+ administration software program in your Windows or Mac machine, behaving roughly precisely like a devoted Stream Deck machine. Capabilities are primarily geared toward video and on-stream manufacturing, however fundamental settings and app shortcuts are widespread, and plugins permit for a staggering array of performance throughout tons of various video games and instruments.

The fundamental six-button setup is obtainable at no cost on iOS, with a full unlock of as much as 64 shortcuts out there for a $2.99 subscription. There’s additionally a $25 yearly plan or a $50 “lifetime” unlock. While the Pro model of the app is available on Android as well, the brand new free tier isn’t, and there’s no indication of when it is likely to be coming. That looks as if an oversight for a device aimed so squarely at energy customers.