The Mechanism Gaming Pillow is like a third hand for your gaming handhelds. I'm not ashamed of saying I want one.

I love my Steam Deck. I love my Steam Deck. It's great for portable PC gaming. This strange-looking device to hold one aloft initially caught my attention purely as a source of amusement, but the more I thought about it, I realised that it was a great idea.

The Mechanism Gaming Pillow costs $59 and is a third-hand for your handheld gaming devices. (Via The Verge). The 12-inch pillow, which is essentially a mini bean bag chair filled squishy granules of foam, is designed to be placed on uneven surfaces like your lap or stomach when you are lying down.

A combination of the included Ball Socket Mount and a custom grip (also included) allows you hold a Steam Deck OG, OLED, Nintendo Switch or ROG Ally, PS Portal or PS Portal at a comfortable level, thanks to an extended arm. The listing claims that the company wants you to "fall sleep before your arms" and there is even an animated.gif showing a model repeatedly hitting himself in the face with a cushion to demonstrate how soft it is.

We all have to earn our living. There's an optional adhesive mount for attaching your phone to the base or even a battery to extend the life your arm-mounted device. This is a clever addition. It's not the only handheld gaming cushion that I've seen. But this one seems to have been designed with some thought. You'll look less dorky wearing this than someone who wears augmented reality glasses.

Is it a real issue? I can tell you that yes, it is a real problem. I either hold the Steam Deck at eye-height, in which case my arms become tired, or I hold it in my lap while craning my spine over the top.

Even though I still find it silly, the benefits might outweigh any potential pitfalls, namely that your living partner will make fun of it, and the inevitable inevitability of it falling over, no matter what stability it has. If you're not a complete idiot like me, it could be a device which makes handhelds more practical to use at home for long periods.

It is true that it goes against the idea of portability. However, handheld gaming PCs such as the Deck are multifunctional. You can use the current form factor for a quick flight or to place on a tray table. This might be a good idea for knocking around your house.