I review ChatGPT 5.4 Thinking, ChatGPT Voice Mode tricks, Microsoft adds agent controls
Plus, a new David video, animals and their favorite toys, tools older than any known human, David Bowie sees the future, and David Pogue sings about Apple
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
Anycubic is back with a new printer. This is a sub-$300 printer that can print up to four colors with four spools of filament. The trick? Instead of a separate multi-filament feeder, they’ve built the filament switching into the print head. This is a setup and first-print video. Stay tuned for more in-depth testing.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
Enterprise AI agents are multiplying fast, and Microsoft wants full control of them: Microsoft has introduced a centralized dashboard to help IT teams monitor AI agents’ visibility, permissions, and security risks.
I tried GPT-5.4, and most answers were really good - but a few had me concerned: OpenAI claims that GPT-5.4 Thinking can do professional tasks, but I’m not so sure if that’s fully accurate.
This new Claude Code Review tool uses AI agents to check your pull requests for bugs - here’s how: Each pull request can cost up to $25. Here’s why companies might still pay to prevent catastrophic bugs.
I thought ChatGPT's voice mode was a gimmick - these 7 use cases changed my mind: Voice Mode fabricated answers the last time I used it, but a revisit revealed that it’s actually useful now.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Interesting video by someone who went undercover to see how Shein makes low-cost goods in its factory village.
Here’s a short 1999 video with David Bowie about the future of the Internet. Dude was prescient as heck. Gotta love Ziggy Stardust.
David Pogue does a filked version of Pharrell Williams’ Happy in honor of Apple’s 50th anniversary and his new book.
Gadget of the week
I just bought a second one of these iPad tripod holders. When filming videos like the one above, I often use two iPads as front-facing monitors and cameras. That way, I can see exactly what the camera sees and make sure whatever I’m showing remains in frame.
I had a nice full-cage adapter for my older iPad, but it doesn’t fit these new models. I also had a spring-loaded adapter that sucked so bad I tossed it out last week. Since this adapter works well enough, I bought a second one. It’s not perfect, but it’s solid and does the job.
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.
My very good boy Pixel loves his stuffed animals. As this WashPo article shows, Pixel isn’t alone. Monkeys, chimpanzees, penguins, mountain lions and elephants all have their favorite toys.
Archeologists have found stone tools dating back 2.1 to 2.4 million years ago, but the earliest known humans lived 1.7 million years ago. So who made these tools?
Speaking of fossils, ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski makes the case that the new MacBook Neo is obsoleting Windows laptops.
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!