Review on Razer Stream Controller: All-In-One Keypad For Streaming - 12 Haptic Switchblade Keys - 6 Tactile Analog Dials - 8 Programmable Buttons - Designed For PC & Mac Compatibility by Kevin Fuentes

I suppose I wasn't sure what to expect. My experience with Synapse is limited, and I don't use many Razer products currently, but I was at least expecting there to be more software integration. Upon install, what happened next? Install Loupedeck software.So that was disappointing. Previously, Razer had released their own modified GoXLR Mini, which I'm pretty sure had full Razer software integration. Which was a boon, since TC Helicon didn't seem to want to do anything more with what they had created so many years ago. This time? All Razer Synapse does for this version of the Loupedeck Live is switch between profiles; the things you switch to depending on what you are currently doing on your PC (i.e. using Adobe software, Premier Pro, OBS, etc).Don't get me wrong, the profiles seem pretty good overall, adding a lot of at-hand functionality for programs you may use. Most of it, however, is for productivity. Not really a downside, but in order to get additional integration, you need plugins. For example, there is an unofficial plugin for the GoXLR software, which has entirely limited functionality (only switching between Profiles and Routing). If this doesn't have a plugin available, or there isn't an unofficial one available somewhere on Github, you're out of luck. Discord is one obvious example where this is lacking, especially now with how it even has Xbox and Playstation integration.Let's just break down some of the features:PROS:-Substantial integration for image/video software suites-Convenient page buttons at the bottom-Nice knobs for controlling certain aspects of programs this integrates with-Metal construction, with a snap-in support at the back, with rubberized feetCONS:-Doesn't seem any better than just having a Loupedeck Live (albeit, costs the same)-Lacking integration, and not as easy to setup buttons for custom actions (like on/off toggles)-Still requires MIDI controller to do anything noteworthy with the knobs-Costs $270Overall, I think it's a nice piece of kit, especially if you use productivity software and OBS. Easy to setup and use with existing profiles for a wide array of programs, including more recent entries like Krita (which is shown in the first image). However, it loses a star, as it really isn't anything new here, outside of whenever Loupedeck makes updates to their own software suite. Razer Synapse doesn't seem like it's really adding anything, outside of having something else running in the background if you don't happen to already use Razer peripherals.The price also makes it tough to compete with the Elgato Streamdeck. Granted, that has *also* gone up in price, but their software has a lot more flexibility in customizing buttons and functions. Loupedeck's original offering was already struggling to provide something more for the steeper price when it first launched, and they have certainly made updated, but I still don't feel it competes. Outside of purely productivity software.