Most popular AI tools, why AI ethics matter, my panic-buy of a new computer, and a fresh video
Plus, a cool network-based KVM, an explainer about the tech carve-out from China tariffs, and Google's AI can finally write code that works
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My latest video
Here’s a 3D printing video. I’m often asked why it seems to take so long from when I do an unboxing until there’s a formal review. The answer is simple: most of these things don’t work right when they arrive. The Creality K2 Plus seems to have some broken parts. Here’s that story.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
Why neglecting AI ethics is such risky business - and how to do AI right: Companies that combine innovation and trust have a competitive edge. Discover the best practices that ensure ethical, sustainable deployment.
The most popular AI tools of 2025 (and what that even means): Want to know which AI tools businesses and creators are flocking to? Here's 2025's ZDNET Index of AI Tool Popularity and how ChatGPT, Canva, Gemini, Copilot, and more stack up in market share.
Why Google Code Assist may finally be the programming power tool you need: Google Code Assist now includes Gemini 2.5 in its free tier, but Google's press team left one crucial question unanswered: who exactly gets to use the new AI agents?
4 reasons why I just panic-bought a $5,300 Apple Mac Studio way before I wanted to: I crunched the numbers. Waiting just didn't seem worth the risk. And even though there’s now a carve-out specifically for Apple and other tech gear, it’s an upgrade I’ve been needing anyway.
How Salesforce's 5-level framework for AI agents finally cuts through the hype: Everyone's hyping AI agents, but what can they actually do? Salesforce cuts through the noise with a functional five-level framework that exposes the real capabilities and limits of today's AI agents.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
Microsoft introduces its new AI companion features.
Here’s a very cool network-based KVM introduced via a Kickstarter. Once it officially comes to market, I’ll probably buy one for myself.
Ferris Bueller got his day off almost 40 years ago. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes tour of the making of that iconic oldie-but-goodie.
Tool of the week
Update: Included the Amazon link here, forgot to put it in the mailer.
Here’s a really handy (and inexpensive) set of thread gauge guides. These guides provide measurements for pitch, size, and angle, among a variety of other useful measurements. I like them because they’re inexpensive and take very little space to store.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
Folks seem to think it’s okay to stop using phone cases, saying that phones are more robust now. This may be true, but I like my case because I find the bare phone uncomfortable to hold.
Do you watch the videos YouTube recommends? This report talks about all the videos you don’t watch.
ZDNET’s explainer about the new tech carve-outs from the increased China tariffs.
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!