Accent maker Genki has been recognized for producing a wide range of Swap-related objects over the previous few years, however their Covert Dock collection has all the time been one among my private favorites.
With the unique Swap, the Covert Dock allowed you to depart your OEM Swap dock at residence and take it on the go with out including bulk to your console. This implies you’ll be able to join your Swap to any TV with minimal fuss, regardless of the place you’re.
Clearly, the arrival of the Swap 2 created further energy calls for that made the outdated Covert Dock out of date, however Genki has countered this with the launch of its third technology mannequin. It provides 64W charging (up from 45W on Covert Dock 2) and might deal with 14K/120 video (up from 4K/60).
As earlier than, the Covert Dock 3 ($69.99) has three ports: USB-C (with DisplayPort 1.2), HDMI 2.1, and USB-A. USB-C handles video enter, permitting you to attach methods just like the Swap 2, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally. Principally, something that processes video over USB-C can even cost the battery of the related system on the identical time. You too can cost different units reminiscent of laptops and smartphones. HDMI connects to your show, and old-school USB-A is used to cost equipment and extra.
At 116g and smaller than the charger that got here with my Apple Mac laptop computer, the Covert Dock 3 is just about the one charger you will ever want. And it comes with the added bonus of having the ability to double as a dock for all the main handheld gaming methods of the time.
Provided that Nintendo tends to replace its {hardware} to render third-party docks ineffective, Genki says this should not be a problem with Covert Dock 3.
“Now we have acquired many questions on Nintendo’s upcoming firmware replace for NS2 that will intrude with Covert Dock 3 performance,” the corporate mentioned. “We do not count on this to be a problem, however simply in case we designed Covert Dock 3 to have the ability to replace the firmware. We’re dedicated to offering firmware updates as wanted and can host the file on the Covert Dock 3 product web page on our web site, by way of e-mail, or on Discord.”
Genki is combining updates to one among its different in style merchandise, ShadowCast 3 Professional ($89.99), with Covert Dock 3. That is probably the most important redesign of the ShadowCast mission because it was first launched in 2021. On the time, I wasn’t actually bought on the idea. The concept of ββa seize card sufficiently small to slot in the Swap dock was novel, but it surely felt like an answer to an issue.
Nonetheless, quick ahead to 2026 and this newest iteration is much more helpful. ShadowCast 3 can deal with 1080p/120, 1440p/120, and 4K/60 video seize and runs on Genki’s blissful streamlining software program for a hassle-free streaming and capturing expertise (it will also be used with third-party apps; actually, Genki has partnered with Camo Studio to ensure their iPad app works fantastically with ShadowCast 3).
Just like the earlier two fashions, the ShadowCast 3 is small, however the bonus right here is that you just get an HDMI pass-through module that means that you can stream or file on one display screen whereas offering a further HDMI port with zero latency on one other display screen.
Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3 will be mixed to create the final word on-the-road video seize setup. That is extraordinarily helpful for content material creators and online game journalists (like me) who usually have to get footage whereas attending conventions or studio movies.
Genki has all the time been nice at giving every product replace a singular visible hook, and I feel these third technology merchandise are probably the most visually interesting but. The mix of darkish blue plastic and translucent orange may be very eye-catching and I really like how these two merchandise praise one another aesthetically when used collectively.
Each are very inexpensive, actually, you should buy them each for lower than the main video seize choices available on the market. As a novice video creator, I could not say for positive if ShadowCast 3 is as much as par with the main samples available on the market, but it surely matches my modest wants. Additionally, pairing this with the Covert Dock 3 creates a slim recording resolution with greater than sufficient options for me personally.