The Elgato Stream Deck can be primarily for gaming streaming through services like Twitch, but you can use it for a lot more than that. In fact, if you’re not using your Stream Deck to boost your productivity, you’re missing out.
We’re going to list some of the best productivity uses for the Elgato Stream Deck.
1. Control video calls
Many meetings these days take place virtually through Microsoft Teams and Zoom. You can use your Elgato Stream Deck to control things during the meeting so you can focus on what is being said, rather than browsing the onscreen menus.
For example, you can configure the Stream Deck keys to switch between audio devices (check out the Audio Switcher plug-in), mute your microphone, hide your webcam, leave calls, and more. People who call you won’t see your eyes move around the screen to perform these commands – just push a button on the Stream Deck and the job is done.
2. Track your time
It can be very helpful to keep track of the time you spend on things. It is particularly useful for freelancers and businesses, but it also applies to personal life.
You can use a Stream Deck to make tracking your time a snap. You don’t need to tinker around to open programs or apps, find the right menu to start the tracker. Instead, you just tap a button when you want to start tracking and tap it again when you’re done.
You can use the Toggl plugin for this, which integrates with the Toggl tracking service. You can assign different keys to different projects in Toggl, making sure you keep everything in order.
3. Open all your daily programs
At the start of each day, do you open the same programs? Your internet browser, e-mail, messaging, etc. ?
If so, you can use a Multi-action channel on your Stream Deck in conjunction with the Open order. Rather than clicking each program in turn to open it, all you need to do is press the button on your Stream Deck. Easy.
4. Get out of commonly used sentences
It’s tedious to type the same things over and over again. Those in customer service positions will particularly understand this. This is why you should use the Stream Deck to quickly output commonly used phrases.
You can use the Text command to speed this up and save your fingers. You don’t need to remember confusing keyboard macro shortcuts.
5. Set your Slack status
If you use Slack for corporate communication, consider the control-deck-slack plugin.
This plugin allows you to do two things:
- Toggle your Slack status so your coworkers know if you’re available.
- Add someone’s photo as a Stream Deck button, which shows their online status and opens a DM when pressed.
You will be surprised how much time it saves you. If you walk away from your desk, you don’t need to stray from what you are doing; just tap the button and your Slack status is updated.
6. Start a timer
Whether you need to remember when to take a break or follow the Pomodoro Method, there are many reasons why you may need to start a timer.
Whatever the case, let the Stream Deck take care of it for you. You can set up timers of varying lengths and play a sound when the time is up.
7. Get calendar reminders
If your life is filled with meetings, it can be difficult to keep up with them all. This is where the iCal plugin comes in.
This not only displays your next meetings, but also colors the icon according to its distance. It does the same for meetings you attend, so you can count the minutes until you can finally hang up that call.
8. Resize your windows
If your screen is constantly filled with endless windows, it can be difficult to keep track of everything and maintain some organization. Windows Mover & Resizer plugin can help you.
You can quickly minimize and maximize windows, change their size, and change the screen they are on.
If you like this plugin, check out the Win Tools plugin from the same developer. It is packed with features like volume control, changing power plans, cycling folders, starting Windows services, and more. If you weren’t a productivity master before, you sure will be after using it.
9. Have fun
Taking a break and having fun is just as important as staying productive. You cannot do the latter without the former.
The Stream Deck can help you with these plugins:
- Dice: Roll a dice or a number in a range of your choice.
- Magic Eight Ball: ask any question and get a mysterious answer.
- Memory Game: Test your little gray cells with this fun memory challenge.
- Reaction Deck: See how fast your reactions are.
- Stream Deck Games: Includes Snake, Tic-Tac-Toe, Minesweeper, Breakout, and more.
10. Anything you can imagine
Really, the sky is the limit. If you have programming skills, you can create anything you want and turn it into a button on the Stream Deck.
You can also use programs like AutoHotkey to help you out, for more user-friendly and straightforward automation tips. Check out our guide to cool AutoHotkey scripts if you need some inspiration.
Also, browse the Elgato Plugins directory and see what appeals to you. You can get plugins to view your unread email count, control music, get latest stock quote, control PowerPoint presentations, and much more.
Get a Stream Deck and improve your productivity
Whether you want to speed up repetitive tasks, receive reminders, or just want to have a little fun, the Elgato Stream Deck is a perfect kit to boost your productivity. As you’ve seen, it’s not just for streaming.
If you are planning to buy a Stream Deck, you should research the different models. There’s even a mobile app that you can try out before you buy it.
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