Project Killswitch: Production Update #2
Another month, another Project Killswitch update.
Last time, we covered a Steam Deck in melted cheese, gave you an honorary degree in mechanical engineering, then stole the idea of making the kickstand removable.
We also neglected to inform the humans of r/SteamDeck that Project Killswitch is a feature-rich protective case for the Steam Deck.
Now that we've reminded you, let's continue with the update.
When we stole invented the idea of a removable kickstand, we also suggested there was a secret feature we had incorporated into the case during development. We're pleased to report that the secret feature made it into production and we’ve now technically stolen two ideas.
The kickstand now attaches magnetically. We are, of course, claiming sole credit for this.
While no one knows exactly how they work, magnets are an extremely versatile attachment mechanism that does not rely on prongs, ports, or perfect placement. They're essentially idiot-proof, a necessary ingredient in 2022.
"But wait," you're thinking. "Won't magnets cause interference with the Steam Deck's internal components?"
No. Neither the SSD nor memory is impacted by magnets. Neither is the fan. The most magnetically-sensitive component in the Steam Deck is a Hall sensor (Google it), which is used to detect pressure sensitivity on the analogue triggers.
After completing Doom Eternal on Ultra-Nightmare exactly once, we can confirm that our magnets have zero effect on the Hall sensor. To make extra sure there was no adverse effect, we glued a cluster of our production-quality magnets to the triggers and entered Valve’s “Test Device Inputs” diagnostic tool. None of the 32767 pressure sensitivity levels on the L2/R2 inputs are affected.
For the skeptics in the back, we can also confirm that the magnetic array on Killswitch doesn’t have any adverse effect on the:
- L1 Button
- R1 Button
- L3 Thumbstick/Button
- R3 Thumbstick/Button
- L4 Button
- R4 Button
- L5 Button
- R5 Button
- A Button
- B Button
- X Button
- Y Button
- D-Pad
- Left Trackpad
- Right Trackpad
- Steam Button
- Quick Access Button
- View Button
- Menu Button
- Volume Down Button
- Volume Up Button
- Power Button
It also doesn’t affect the USB-C Port, microSD Card Slot, Speakers, Touchscreen, Microphones, or the microchip Bill Gates snuck into your COVID vaccine. With that out of the way, let’s talk about the actual kickstand.
To ensure we stayed true to u/Lord_Trolled’s stolen idea request, we did indeed include “a high quality strong magnet and not a cheap flimsy one.” More specifically, sixteen of them.
Inside the Killswitch case is an array of eight 206mm³ N52-grade magnets. Directly mirroring the magnets inside the case are a series of identical magnets inside the kickstand. When the kickstand is attached, about 1.35 kilograms of pull force is required to remove it. For reference, the weight of the Steam Deck is about half that. Finally, a justification for that gym membership.
The result? An adjustable, removable kickstand that's both simple and satisfying to use.
After successfully stealing two ideas, we decided it was time for an original one: continue stealing ideas.
That’s where you come in.
If you weren’t using a kickstand, what else would you want to magnetically attach to the back of your Killswitch?
Remember: for every thousand bad suggestions you send us, we come up with one totally-original idea that you’ll never get credit for. You have until the next update. Get to work.