A workshop-proof robo-vac, electrical fire defense, and Photoshop sorcery
Plus, Voice Mode gone wrong, espresso science, AI debugging, 3D printing tricks, and whatever leisure crafting is.
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
Advanced Geekery is published weekly on Substack and LinkedIn. Same content. Choose your favorite delivery method. Back Issues.
My latest video
Up until now, no robot vacuum has survived me. Whether it’s pet toys, cables on the floor, or other obstacles, every vacuum sent for review by a vendor has wound up a total fail. So, when Narwal came knocking, I increased the challenge. Could it handle the regular home challenges that defeated the other vacs, and also take on my workshop? Watch the video to find out.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
My new favorite Photoshop AI tool lets me combine images in one click - and I can’t stop: Photoshop Harmonize automatically adjusts an object’s color, lighting, and shadows to match any background. It’s very, very good - and addictive.
I teamed up two AI tools to solve a major bug - but they couldn’t do it without me: When Codex failed to debug my plugin, Deep Research delivered - with my careful guidance. Here’s how combining AI tools can solve problems faster and supercharge developer workflows.
The $99 gadget that prevents electrical fires by doing nothing: I tested a tiny device that plugs in, stays silent, and promises to stop electrical fires before they start. Can peace of mind come from something that seemingly does absolutely nothing?
Don’t use ChatGPT voice mode if you want accuracy - here’s why: Voice Mode may sound eerily human, but to be faster, accuracy suffers, logic collapses, and hallucinations creep into responses.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
This guy shows a set of steps that take you from a photo to a 3D printed model. He’s using it for his model train layout, as one should.
You all know I love me some coffee. But this dude takes it to a completely different level. In this video he looks inside espresso pucks with a CT scanner.
Interesting story from what could be an AI about what’s happening with laid off tech workers. Regardless of its source, it’s an interesting story.
Product of the week
This is the Narwal Freo Z Ultra I reviewed in the video at the top of this issue. Spoiler: I liked it… mostly. There’s some nuance there, particularly about how it doesn’t tell you if the bags are full.
But the real bottom line was its navigation capability. With the exception of one time when it just decided to get stuck in the middle of the floor, it navigated everything, including my workshop. I’ve never had a robot vacuum not get stuck somewhere in the first few minutes of a run, but this little beasty seems to make it happen.
It’s not cheap, but it is pretty good.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth checking out.
ZDNET’s Ed Bott pulls zero punches in Microsoft has lost its way.
In case you don’t think you hustle enough during work hours, here’s how to do something called “leisure crafting,” which makes your off hours into “purposeful engagement.” Special.
Send in your projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
Both my EPs are now streaming
Available on all your favorite streaming services.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!
I've been using a Ting device in my home for the last 10 months or so. It was provided for free by my home insurance provider in exchange for a discount. As you noted, it doesn't do much other than providing interesting data and that's about it. One nice thing though is that if my power goes out when I'm not home I know about it in near real time.