This is how the stick is described in patent 20150355768   http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2015/0355768.html

"Furthermore, in FIG. 2, the key top portion 1800 of the first operation stick 18a is provided above a display surface of the display panel 14 and a detection surface of the touch panel 16 (front side of the thickness direction). That is, the first operation stick 18a is provided such that the key top is exposed outside the housing 12. Furthermore, as shown also in FIG. 2, the first operation stick 18a is provided such that a lower end portion of the key top portion 1800 lies above the detection surface of the touch panel 16. Therefore, since the first operation stick 18a is hard to be brought into contact to the surface of the display panel 14, it is possible to prevent the surface of the display panel 14 from being damaged. Although the key top portion 1800 is formed in a form of an equilateral pentagon, it may be formed in other polygon form or circular form. A size of the surface of the key top portion 1800 is made larger than a size (diameter) of the above-mentioned hole 32. Therefore, the hole 32 is not visible when the information processing apparatus 10 is seen from the front "

Guys, one thing to bear in mind here is that, this obviously is not the manner in which Nintendo intended the NX controller to be revealed (let's be real, this is not fake).

My point is that, perhaps when it's properly unveiled and we see it "in action," it'll all make sense.

I'm reminded of when we first saw images of the Wii Remote and no one could believe how that could be a substitute for a traditional controller. And then we saw someone standing in front of their TV swinging it playing Wii Sports, and the lightbulb went off in everyone's minds.

Certainly not saying this will happen with the NX as well, just something to keep in mind...

Just keep in mind the possibility that the Gamepad may sync with the NX, like how the Wii U uses the Wiimote. Or the Wii had Gamecube controller ports.

Oh I didn't even think of that, if so then it's a short name...

No. That's just what people assume because the gamepad looks like a tablet.

It doesn't look white at all aside from the lighting, but I'm not a tree person so maybe white doesn't actually mean white.

The Wii U Pad was intended to incorporate smart device elements. It was failure at this because a) it looked low-tech compared to a tablet and b) it was bulky and the touch screen was far away from the other controls, requiring you to move your hands. The NX pad is far better execution at this.

Now, is the whole idea a good one is debatable, but there is no question the NX looks like a far better executed and appealing device.

It was flat out said that was the goal of the U from the beginning, the personal experience leading into more core centric gaming, it was never aimed at tablet using casuals at all.

So apparently the NeoGAF thread discussing this news was retweeted by an NOA employee.

RT @NeoGAFNewThread: New images of possible NX controller appear https://t.co/b3LULxO2gS https://t.co/BB9817ZLjG

— Corey Olcsvary (@ravscl) March 23, 2016

The pattent diagram shows the internal function, not the external covering.