My point is that "the author used a crappy title" doesn't mean submitters should get a pass on "no linkbait" rule (which as was pointed out, is actually a rule.)
Yep! Very simple and absurdly cheap to make and program. There are ton of display controllers that have more than enough capability to handle to do this all without needing a separate uC, even.
I think what you're really paying for is the software on the host computer side, and how many companies they've gotten to interface with them.
I'd be willing to bet that streamdeck makes a lot of money off sale of metrics they collect - what programs are running, what games people are playing, what they're streaming, and probably more.
It should be noted that there's not much fancy tech in a streamdeck, it's just clever use of pretty old tech.
It's an LCD and touchscreen with a mask and the buttons are optical-grade-ish plastic with a pad that triggers the touchscreen when the button is pressed. Ford uses something similar in some of their center console screens; there's a wiper under a dial glued to the screen.
They do not use individual screens, despite the author's claim (which is common so they can be forgiven for it.)
My point is that "the author used a crappy title" doesn't mean submitters should get a pass on "no linkbait" rule (which as was pointed out, is actually a rule.)