I test ChatGPT Images 2.0 and GPT-5.5, Google goes to cyberwar, and more AI releases
Plus, a new David video, Adrian drives a bulldozer for ZDNET, an Iron Age trumpet, and the Soviets take over Apple TV+
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
This week, I printed a wall-busting bust of Ghostbuster’s Slimer using the Bambu Lab H2D and six spools of filament loaded at once. I gave a still from the video to the new ChatGPT Images 2.0 using GPT-5.5 (both reviewed in the next section) and it generated the thumbnail you see below.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
I put GPT-5.5 through a 10-round test: It scored 93/100, losing points only for exuberance: OpenAI’s latest model delivers powerful results but sometimes ignores simple directions, creating a tension between intelligence and control.
I tried ChatGPT Images 2.0: A fun, huge leap - and surprisingly useful for real work: My ChatGPT Images 2.0 results were impressive, but occassionally wrong. Here’s how it handles branding, text, and infographics.
I got an early look at ChatGPT Images 2.0, and it’s impressive - with one exception: OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Images 2.0 promises precision and design control. Here’s how to try it for yourself.
Moonshot AI’s new Kimi K2.6 swarms your complex tasks with 1,000 collaborating agents: Kimi K2.6’s impressive new capabilities could redefine how developers approach complex, multi-step engineering workflows.
Google bets $32B on AI agent cyber force as security arms race escalates: With Wiz and AI agents, Google is gearing up for a cyberwar where machines fight at speeds humans can’t match.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Most of you probably know by now how much I enjoy the Apple TV show For All Mankind. Well, Star City is coming out next month, and it’s the same story from the point of view of the Soviets. Here’s the trailer. I can’t wait!
I like Morley Kurt’s projects. This time, he turns an old pallet into a desk he sold for $1,200.
Here’s a fun musical selection, courtesy of my wife. This bluegrass band performs “Gangnam Style”. This is why the Internet was invented.
Tool of the week
Some of you might have noticed an interesting spatula used to remove the Ghostbusters Slimer model from my H2D. The fine folks at BuildTak sent one to me a few years back and it’s sometimes the only thing that works to get a model off of a build plate.
It comes in two sizes, it’s been with me for years, and it’s fairly inexpensive. If you do 3D printing, this should be in your build kit.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (but not this week).
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth checking out.
I’ve always found that extra space at the end of a ruler annoying. But here’s why it’s there.
A 2,000 year old carnyx, an Iron Age trumpet, was found in England, nearly completely intact. It’s quite the find.
ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes drives a bulldozer over an SSD enclosure. Based on his review of the SSD enclosure, I now want a bulldozer.
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!