Every now and again, a piece of technology comes along that makes me grin like a child who has just found a secret compartment in a toy robot. This week, that technology was ChatGPT image generation.
I started with a simple idea: what if The Gadget Man was not just a blog, a podcast, or a bloke surrounded by cables, 3D printers, strange gadgets and half-finished ideas, but an actual comic book hero?
Not a cape-wearing superhero. Not someone bitten by a radioactive soldering iron. Just a gadget-loving chap with a cup of tea, a slightly dangerous number of ideas, and the ability to solve problems with technology, common sense and the occasional dramatic pose.
So I gave ChatGPT a photo of myself and typed the following prompt:
This is The Gadget Man, create a 2 page american style comic strip about him stopping a cyber attack by martians
First Draft of The Gadget Man
And there it was. A full two-page comic book spread featuring The Gadget Man battling Martians who were attempting to take over Earth’s systems. It had panels, speech bubbles, glowing screens, alien spaceships, dramatic lighting, and just the right amount of over-the-top comic book nonsense.
There was one small problem. In the final panel, instead of the crowd saying “Thanks Gadget Man!”, the speech bubble said “Thanks Gadget Giant Man!”
So I simply replied:
the last panel says THANKS GADGET GIANT MAN!, it should say THANKS GADGET MAN!
And ChatGPT corrected it.
The Gadget Man and The Alien Cyber Attack
That was the moment it really clicked. This was not just asking a computer to make a picture. This was creative direction. I could guide the scene, spot issues, refine the result, and build a series.
The Gadget Man Comic Universe Begins
Once the first comic was created, I did what any sensible adult would do. I immediately made several more.
The next prompt was:
Excellent, create another comic about Gadget Man visiting Scotland and saving them from EV Charger problems
The Gadget Man and the Mystery of the Scottish EV Chargers
This produced a wonderfully ridiculous adventure in which The Gadget Man travels north of the border to rescue Scotland from faulty EV chargers, broken apps, signal problems and confused motorists. There were Highland cows, charging stations, Scottish scenery, and, naturally, the sort of technological tinkering that saves the day.
Then came one of my favourites:
Create another comic featuring Gadget Man 3d Printing an elaborate controller for use with his VR headset to play Elite Dangerous
The Gadget Man and the 3d Printed Elite Dangerous Controller
This one was pure Gadget Man territory. 3D printing, VR, Elite Dangerous, switches, buttons, joysticks, wiring, and a controller that looked as though it had been designed by someone who had spent far too long thinking, “You know what this game needs? More buttons.”
After that, Vanessa joined the adventure.
Create another comic featuring Gadget Man and his sidekick wife Vanessa. Their adventure is finally getting away for a break at the coast
Gadget Man and Vanessa go to the Coast
The result was a seaside adventure featuring Gadget Man and Vanessa finally escaping for a well-earned break, only to find that even a trip to the coast can turn into a heroic mission when technology, transport and holiday chaos collide.
Of course, Vanessa deserved a break from all this madness, so I followed up with:
Create another comic featuring Gadget Man looking after the house whilst Vanessa spends two well deserved days at a Spa Retreat
The Gadget Man: Vanessa goes to the Spa
This produced a domestic disaster story full of smart home alerts, robot vacuums, laundry mountains, kitchen chaos and Gadget Man attempting to maintain order while Vanessa relaxed in peace. In other words, science fiction with a suspicious amount of truth in it.
Finally, I went bigger. Much bigger.
create another comic book featuring Gadget Man. This time he goes to the ISS to correct it’s orbit
The Gadget Man Saves the ISS
Yes, The Gadget Man went to space. The International Space Station had an orbital problem, and naturally the only person qualified to give it “a little nudge” was a man with a tool belt, a mug of tea, and an alarming level of confidence.
To finish the project, I also created a header image for this very article:
create a header image in the same style showing The Gadget Man creating the comic using ChatGPT
I created my own awesome comic strip using ChatGPT
That image showed The Gadget Man at his desk, creating comics using ChatGPT, surrounded by gadgets, screens, sketches, tools and the usual creative chaos. It perfectly captured what this whole experiment was about.
Why This Is Possible Now
What makes this so interesting is not simply that ChatGPT can generate an image. Image generators have existed for a while. The difference now is the conversational workflow.
OpenAI describes ChatGPT Images as a tool that can create new images and edit existing ones directly inside ChatGPT. You can ask for an image in plain English, refine it, adjust the composition, and explore new visual directions without needing to start from scratch each time. OpenAI also notes that recent image generation models are designed to follow prompts more accurately, render text more effectively, and use chat context, including uploaded images, as visual inspiration
That last point is important. I was not typing a technical command into a complicated art package. I was having a conversation. I could say “make this a two-page American-style comic strip”, then “change that wording”, then “now do one in Scotland”, then “now add Vanessa”, and ChatGPT understood the creative thread.
It feels less like using software and more like working with an incredibly fast illustrator, layout artist, letterer and visual brainstorming partner, all rolled into one.
The Magic Is in the Iteration
The real power here is not the first image. It is the second, third, fourth and fifth version.
Traditional creative work often involves a long gap between idea and result. You sketch, brief, wait, revise, wait again, make changes, and eventually arrive at something close to what you imagined.
With ChatGPT, the loop is much shorter. You can create a concept, respond to it, correct it, extend it, and build a whole fictional world in minutes. OpenAI’s own guidance highlights this ability to generate and refine images using clear prompts, request variations, adjust composition or size, and produce polished visuals quickly.
For someone like me, with a head full of odd ideas, half-remembered pop culture references, gadgets, stories, jokes, and technical rabbit holes, this is incredibly powerful.
I do not need to stop at “Wouldn’t it be funny if…”
I can actually see it.
What This Means for Artists
Now, this is where things become more complicated.
As exciting as all this is, it also raises serious questions for artists, illustrators, designers and the wider creative industry.
On one hand, tools like ChatGPT could be hugely empowering. They allow people who cannot draw to visualise ideas. They help writers create concept art. They help small businesses produce mock-ups, campaign ideas, storyboards, social media graphics and playful content that might previously have been out of reach.
For independent creators, this could be a revolution. A blogger can create a comic strip. A podcaster can build a visual world. A small business can prototype adverts. A game designer can test character ideas. A 3D printing enthusiast can imagine packaging, instructions, posters, comics and product artwork without needing a full design department.
But there is another side.
Professional artists have every right to be concerned. If companies decide to replace commissioned artwork with AI-generated images purely to save money, that has consequences. If the visual language of artists is absorbed, imitated and mass-produced without care, credit or fair compensation, that is not something we should casually ignore.
There is also the question of value. Art is not just the finished image. It is experience, taste, judgement, intention and human interpretation. A good artist does not simply “make a picture”. They solve visual problems. They understand emotion, framing, symbolism, storytelling and audience. AI can generate astonishing things, but it does not live a life. It does not have childhood memories, favourite comics, personal grief, humour, nostalgia or the strange little sparks that make human creativity so fascinating.
A Tool, Not a Replacement for Imagination
The way I see it, ChatGPT does not remove the need for creativity. It shifts where the creativity happens.
The prompt matters. The idea matters. The direction matters. The ability to look at an image and say “that is nearly right, but the final speech bubble is wrong” matters.
In my Gadget Man comic experiment, ChatGPT created the images, but the idea came from a very human place: my own interests, my humour, my love of gadgets, my fondness for comic book drama, my 3D printing obsession, my VR tinkering, my family life, and my lifelong habit of turning ordinary things into stories.
That is where I think these tools are at their best. Not replacing imagination, but amplifying it.
The Future of Comic Creation?
Will AI-generated comics replace traditional comics? I hope not.
Will they change how people make comics? Almost certainly.
We may see writers using AI to storyboard ideas before handing them to professional artists. We may see artists using AI for rough concepts, layouts, backgrounds or experimentation. We may see hobbyists creating personal comics for fun, families, blogs and social media. We may also see new kinds of hybrid workflows where human creators and AI tools sit side by side.
There will be arguments, and there should be. Creative industries need rules, ethics, transparency and respect for human artists.
But there is also something genuinely wonderful about being able to type a sentence and watch a ridiculous idea become visible.
Final Thoughts
What started as a quick experiment became a whole mini comic universe.
The Gadget Man fought Martians, fixed Scotland’s EV chargers, 3D printed a controller for Elite Dangerous, went on holiday with Vanessa, survived domestic chaos during a spa weekend, corrected the orbit of the ISS, and then sat down to create the comics using ChatGPT.
That is absurd.
It is also brilliant.
For me, this is exactly what technology should do. It should unlock ideas. It should make us laugh. It should help us create things that would otherwise remain trapped in our heads.
And if it occasionally turns “Gadget Man” into “Gadget Giant Man”, well, that is all part of the adventure.
Another day. Another gadget. Another comic created.
There are moments in tech when you read an announcement and immediately realise that something important has shifted.
That was very much my reaction when I came across Project Glasswing, a newly announced initiative from Anthropic that is aimed squarely at one of the biggest looming problems in modern computing: what happens when AI becomes exceptionally good at finding software vulnerabilities. Source
According to Anthropic, Project Glasswing brings together a heavyweight list of partners including Amazon Web Services, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Palo Alto Networks, all with the goal of securing critical software for what Anthropic calls the AI era. It is also extending access to more than 40 additional organisations that build or maintain important software infrastructure. Source
Now, that alone would be interesting enough, but the real headline here is the model sitting behind it all.
Anthropic says its unreleased model, Claude Mythos Preview, has already demonstrated the ability to find and exploit software vulnerabilities at a level beyond all but the most skilled human experts. That is a huge claim, and if it holds up in practice, it means we may have crossed into a very different phase of cybersecurity. Source
In plain English, this is not just about a chatbot helping someone write a bit of code more quickly. This is about AI being able to inspect complex software, spot weaknesses that humans and automated tools have missed for years, and in some cases work out how those weaknesses could be exploited. Anthropic says the model has already found thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities, including flaws affecting major operating systems and web browsers. Source
Some of the examples are rather startling. Anthropic says Mythos Preview uncovered a 27-year-old vulnerability in OpenBSD, a 16-year-old flaw in FFmpeg, and even chained together several Linux kernel vulnerabilities in a way that could escalate ordinary user access into full control of a machine. The company says those issues have now been responsibly disclosed and patched. Source
That, to me, is the bit that really lands.
Because for years we have tended to think of cybersecurity in terms of patching known issues, following best practice, keeping software up to date and hoping the really serious flaws are found by the good people before the bad people. But if AI systems are now reaching the point where they can autonomously discover dangerous bugs in code that has survived decades of scrutiny, then the pace of both defence and attack could increase dramatically. Source
Anthropic is clearly trying to frame Glasswing as a defensive first move. The company says it is committing up to $100 million in usage credits for Mythos Preview and $4 million in direct donations to open-source security organisations. The idea seems to be to put these capabilities into the hands of defenders, infrastructure operators and maintainers before similar systems become more widely available. Source
And that is probably the most sensible angle here.
Because whether we like it or not, the genie is not going back in the bottle. If one frontier AI lab can build a model that is frighteningly good at vulnerability discovery, others will too. Eventually, those capabilities will spread further. The question is not really whether AI will reshape cybersecurity. It is whether defenders can get enough of a head start to stop things getting seriously messy. That is an inference from Anthropic’s announcement and the examples it gives, rather than a direct claim from the company, but it feels like the unavoidable conclusion. Source
For those of us who run websites, servers, ecommerce platforms, mail systems or anything else connected to the wider internet, this should be a bit of a wake-up call. The old approach of leaving systems half-maintained, delaying updates, or assuming that obscure software will somehow stay below the radar looks even more risky in a world where AI can inspect code at speed and scale.
Project Glasswing may turn out to be remembered as one of those early milestone moments, the point where the cybersecurity industry publicly acknowledged that AI is no longer just a helpful assistant for defenders. It is becoming a serious force multiplier, and one that could work for either side.
That makes this announcement both exciting and slightly chilling.
And, in true Gadget Man fashion, it is exactly the kind of development that reminds us technology is never just about shiny new tools. It is also about consequences, responsibility and how quickly the world has to adapt when the rules suddenly change.
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed something interesting in my inbox.
A handful of emails followed, not long after, by a familiar notification from Microsoft Outlook:
“A sender would like to recall a message…”
Now, this isn’t a criticism of anyone involved. Quite the opposite. Most of these emails have come from companies I work with, people who are busy, professional, and simply getting on with their day. If anything, it’s a reminder that we’re all human, even in a very digital world.
The moment after “Send”
We’ve all had it.
You hit send, and then almost immediately:
You spot a typo
You realise an attachment is missing
Or you think of a better way to phrase something
That tiny moment of “ah… I wish I’d just…” is universal.
Outlook’s recall feature exists for exactly that moment. It offers a chance, however slim, to tidy things up after the fact.
Outlook Recall: The Button That Promises Everything… and Delivers Almost Nothing
What actually arrives
From the recipient’s side, the experience is quite different.
The recall message tends to arrive after the original email has already landed, and quite often after it’s been read. So what you end up seeing is not a disappearing message, but a sequence:
Original email arrives
You read it
A recall request follows
It feels less like something being erased, and more like a polite follow up saying, “If possible, please disregard that earlier version.”
When Outlook Recall works… and when it doesn’t
This is where things get interesting, because recall isn’t random. It follows a very specific set of rules. The difficulty is that most real world email doesn’t.
When it can work
Recall has a genuine chance if all of the following line up:
Both sender and recipient are using Microsoft Exchange within the same organisation
The recipient is using the full desktop version of Outlook
The email has not been opened
No inbox rules have moved or processed the message
The recall request is processed before the original message is read
In that fairly narrow window, Outlook can quietly remove or replace the message.
It does happen. Just not very often.
Sending Email. Frustrating Humans for decades!
When it doesn’t work
This is where most of us live day to day:
Emails sent outside the organisation to Gmail, Yahoo, or other domains
Messages that have already been opened or previewed
Recipients using mobile devices, webmail, or alternative email apps
Mailboxes with rules that move or process messages automatically
Mixed systems or slightly different setups on either side
In these situations, recall doesn’t really fail… it simply never had a chance.
The awkward middle ground
Even when recall doesn’t succeed, it still makes an appearance.
A follow up lands saying a recall was attempted, sometimes even reporting whether it worked or not. Which, if anything, draws more attention to the original message rather than less.
A feature with good intentions
And that’s really the key point.
Recall is not a gimmick. It’s a genuinely thoughtful idea designed for a very specific type of environment, one where everything is tightly controlled and messages haven’t yet been read.
Modern email, however, is anything but controlled. Messages are read on phones, previewed instantly, and often seen within seconds of arriving.
By the time a recall request appears, the moment has usually passed.
What it really highlights
If anything, these recall messages have highlighted something positive.
They show that people care about what they send. That they want to get it right. That they’re paying attention to detail, even after the email has gone.
That’s not something to criticise. It’s something to appreciate.
A gentle takeaway
If there’s a lesson in all this, it’s not about avoiding mistakes. We all make them.
It’s about giving yourself a moment before sending. A brief pause to read things back, check attachments, and make sure everything is as it should be.
Some systems even allow a short delay before emails are sent, which turns out to be far more effective than trying to pull one back afterwards.
Final thoughts
Outlook recall isn’t new. In fact, it’s been around in Microsoft Outlook for well over two decades, dating back to the early days of Exchange based corporate email.
So in a sense, Outlook has been sitting there quietly for the past 20 plus years, offering that second chance. A small safety net for a moment of hesitation.
The problem is that the world around it has changed.
Email is no longer something that sits unopened on a desktop waiting politely to be read. It’s instant, mobile, and everywhere. Messages are seen within seconds, often before the sender has even moved on to their next task.
And so recall finds itself trying to solve a very modern problem with a very old set of assumptions.
It still works, occasionally, in the environment it was designed for. But outside of that, it feels a bit like a feature from another time, doing its best to keep up.
Not quite an undo button, not quite a safety net, but a well meaning attempt to give us just a little more control than email really allows.
There’s a quiet frustration that many of us never quite articulate.
You buy excellent headphones. You invest in something genuinely special. Then you discover that the weakest link in the entire chain isn’t the drivers, the tuning or the comfort… it’s the Bluetooth chip inside your phone or laptop.
The Noble Sceptre arrives as a rather elegant solution to that problem.
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Launching at £64.99, this compact Bluetooth transmitter promises to bypass the limitations of built-in wireless hardware and deliver high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive to virtually any compatible device .
And in typical Noble fashion, it does so without fuss.
What Exactly Is It?
At first glance, the Sceptre looks like a small, understated USB-C dongle. No flashing lights. No oversized branding. Just a compact metal unit designed to disappear into your setup.
But internally, it’s built around Qualcomm’s QCC5181 chipset with Bluetooth 5.4 support . That’s the important bit.
Rather than relying on whatever Bluetooth radio your phone, tablet or laptop happens to include, Sceptre handles the transmission itself. It becomes the brains of your wireless link.
The result? Access to advanced codecs including:
LDAC
aptX Adaptive
AAC
SBC
In practical terms, that means cleaner transmission, better detail retrieval and more consistent audio quality.
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Why This Matters
Modern smartphones, particularly some iOS devices, are notoriously restrictive with codec support. Even on Android, implementation can be inconsistent.
Sceptre effectively levels the playing field.
Plug it into a USB-C device and suddenly you’re no longer at the mercy of whatever the manufacturer decided to include. It supports iOS, Android and Windows platforms , and it’s compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth headphones, true wireless buds and even powered speakers.
For anyone running premium wireless IEMs or high-end Bluetooth headphones, that’s a significant upgrade path without replacing your existing gear.
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Real-World Use
What impressed me most is how practical it feels.
There’s a charge-through USB-C port, meaning you can power your phone or laptop while using Sceptre . That makes it viable for long commutes, flights or desk use. No battery anxiety.
Bluetooth profiles supported include HFP, A2DP and AVRCP , so calls and media control work as expected. Transmission range is rated at up to 20 metres , which in everyday terms means stable connection across a room, through a couple of interior walls, or around a typical office.
Setup is handled via the Noble app for the initial pairing, after which it behaves like a proper plug-and-play device .
Design and Build
The design language is classic Noble.
Minimal. Purposeful. Compact.
It doesn’t scream “audiophile accessory”. Instead, it feels like a professional tool. Something you carry because you know what it does, not because you want attention.
It’s lightweight enough to live permanently on a laptop. Small enough to disappear into a pocket alongside your phone. And crucially, it doesn’t add clutter.
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
Who Is It For?
This isn’t aimed at casual listeners.
It’s for:
People who own serious wireless headphones
Commuters who stream lossless or high-quality audio
Gamers who want more consistent wireless performance
Anyone frustrated by codec limitations on their device
If you’re perfectly happy with standard SBC streaming, this probably isn’t essential.
But if you’ve invested in quality audio and feel your source is holding you back, Sceptre makes a compelling case.
Noble Sceptre Review – Unlocking Proper Bluetooth Without Replacing the Kit You Love
The Bigger Picture
Noble built its reputation on handcrafted in-ear monitors and distinctive true wireless designs. With Sceptre, they’ve moved upstream into the signal chain itself .
That’s clever.
Rather than asking customers to buy new headphones, they’re enhancing what people already own.
At £64.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 , it’s positioned accessibly for a performance upgrade that could genuinely transform a wireless setup.
Gadget Man Verdict
The Noble Sceptre is one of those devices that solves a problem many people don’t realise they have.
It doesn’t try to be flashy. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent wireless audio. Instead, it quietly improves the weakest link in the chain.
And in audio, the chain matters.
If you’ve invested in quality Bluetooth headphones and want to hear what they’re truly capable of, this small dongle may well be the missing piece.
Compact. Practical. Sensible. And surprisingly impactful.
Exactly the sort of understated gadget I rather enjoy discovering.
Tokyo, Japan – 19 February 2026: Japanese audio specialist Final has announced two new additions to its popular VR3000 for Gaming series: the VR3000 Recable for Gaming and the VR3000 +Condenser Mic for Gaming.
With sales of the original VR3000 exceeding 160,000 units worldwide, the series has become a popular choice for gamers seeking immersive, spatially accurate sound. The two new models introduce detachable cable support and enhanced communication options, giving players greater flexibility to tailor their setup to their gaming style and environment.
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
Both models will be available from selected retailers worldwide from 19 February 2026.
VR3000 +Condenser Mic: $99.99 / £79.99 / €99.99
VR3000 Recable: $84.99 / £69.98 / €84.99
Designed for immersive gaming
The VR3000 for Gaming series was developed through Final’s research into immersive binaural sound reproduction. Rather than artificially boosting certain frequencies, the earphones are tuned to accurately recreate spatial information and deliver a realistic sense of presence within the game world.
This approach allows players to experience clear front, back, left, right and vertical positioning, along with a convincing sense of distance and space. In fast-paced FPS titles or narrative-driven adventures, the natural spatial presentation is designed to enhance immersion and support instinctive reactions.
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
VR3000 Recable for Gaming
The VR3000 Recable introduces a detachable cable design, offering improved flexibility and longevity. Gamers can replace or upgrade the cable independently, helping to extend the product’s lifespan.
It features a high-precision in-house 0.78mm 2-pin connector and includes a soft black OFC cable designed to minimise touch noise while remaining flexible and comfortable during extended gaming sessions.
Specifications
Housing: ABS
Driver: Dynamic
Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
Cable: Black OFC cable with in-line controller mic
Sensitivity: 101 dB
Impedance: 18 Ω
Weight: 20 g
Cable length: 1.2 m
Included accessories:
Eartips (TYPE E, 5 sizes)
Ear hooks (TYPE B)
Dedicated pouch
Final expands its gaming line-up with VR3000 Recable and VR3000 +Condenser Mic
VR3000 +Condenser Mic for Gaming
The VR3000 +Condenser Mic model supports recabling and adds a lightweight dedicated condenser microphone for clear in-game communication.
The microphone is designed to deliver natural voice reproduction without interfering with gameplay. It includes a windscreen sponge to reduce pop noise and maintain clarity, while the cable features integrated controller buttons for convenient volume adjustment during play.
At CES in Las Vegas, Edifier continued its push beyond traditional desktop audio with the announcement of the M90 Compact Active Speaker. Building on the design thinking behind the M60, the M90 is positioned as a flexible, high-resolution audio solution for desks, bookshelves, and TV setups alike.
The M90 reflects a broader shift in how speakers are expected to perform. Rather than serving a single purpose, it is designed to move comfortably between work, gaming, music, and home entertainment.
Edifier brings HDMI eARC to active speakers with the new M90
Compact design with serious output
Despite its relatively small footprint, the M90 delivers a combined 100 watts RMS of output, split across a bi-amped 2.0 configuration. Each speaker combines a 4-inch long-throw aluminium mid-low driver with a 1-inch silk dome tweeter, driven by high-efficiency Class-D amplification.
Measuring just 133 mm wide, 212 mm high, and 225 mm deep per speaker, the M90 is compact enough for desktop use while offering sufficient output to fill a room. This balance of size and power is central to its appeal, especially in multi-use spaces where equipment needs to stay discreet.
Edifier brings HDMI eARC to active speakers with the new M90
End-to-end high-resolution audio processing
At the core of the M90 is a fully digital signal path supporting 24-bit, 96 kHz high-resolution audio. The system uses an active crossover with dynamic range control to maintain smooth transitions between frequencies and balanced sound reproduction at different listening levels.
Both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certifications underline Edifier’s focus on fidelity, whether audio is delivered via wired connections or over Bluetooth.
Edifier brings HDMI eARC to active speakers with the new M90
HDMI eARC and wide connectivity
One of the most notable features of the M90 is the inclusion of HDMI eARC, a connection typically associated with soundbars and AV receivers rather than compact active speakers. This allows the M90 to connect directly to compatible TVs for high-bandwidth audio transmission, simplifying setups and reducing the need for additional hardware.
Alongside HDMI eARC, the M90 offers optical, USB-C, and analogue AUX inputs, making it compatible with a wide range of devices including computers, media players, and turntables. A dedicated subwoofer output is also included for users who want to extend low-frequency performance with an external sub.
Edifier brings HDMI eARC to active speakers with the new M90
Modern Bluetooth and app control
Wireless connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 6.0 with support for the LDAC codec, enabling high-resolution audio streaming at up to 990 kbps from compatible Android devices. Bluetooth multipoint is supported and can be enabled through the EDIFIER ConneX mobile app, allowing easy switching between multiple sources.
Physical control is managed via a rear-mounted control knob for power, volume, and source selection, complemented by a 2.4 GHz omnidirectional remote. When connected via HDMI eARC, HDMI CEC allows volume and power control directly from a TV remote.
Edifier brings HDMI eARC to active speakers with the new M90
Customisable sound for different uses
The M90 includes three preset sound modes accessible via the remote, with further sound shaping available through a 9-band EQ in the EDIFIER ConneX app. Users can tailor the sound to suit music, gaming, or TV viewing, and manage inputs, playback, and settings from a single interface.
A clear signal of where active speakers are heading
With the M90, Edifier is clearly positioning compact active speakers as central audio devices rather than accessories. By combining high-resolution processing, HDMI eARC connectivity, modern Bluetooth, and app-based control in a compact form, the M90 points toward a future where a single pair of speakers can handle most everyday listening scenarios without compromise.
Portable speakers are no longer just about being loud enough for the kitchen. They have become everyday companions that move with us from room to room, into the garden, and occasionally into a backpack. With that in mind, Majority has announced its new Move range, a family of four portable Bluetooth speakers designed and developed in the UK, with pricing that looks deliberately disruptive.
Launched from Cambridge, the Move range includes the Move M1, M2, M3 and M4, each stepping up in size, power and capability. Across the range, Majority has focused on simple usability, rugged builds, waterproofing, and the latest connectivity features including Bluetooth 6.0 and true wireless stereo pairing.
According to Majority founder Eddie Latham, the aim was straightforward. Build fun, modern speakers that match how people actually listen to music every day, while delivering features usually reserved for higher price points.
Move M1: small speaker, big stamina
The Move M1 is the entry point, and arguably the most surprising. It is palm sized, lightweight, and designed to be genuinely portable rather than something that just looks the part.
Despite its compact dimensions, the M1 delivers a claimed 70 hours of playtime, which is remarkable at this size and price. It is water resistant to IPX5, making it suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, or hanging from a backpack using the built in strap.
This is the kind of speaker you leave on a desk for podcasts, take into the shower, or hand to kids for audiobooks. Pair two together and you get proper stereo sound without complication.
Key specs
12W output
Bluetooth 6.0
Up to 70 hours playtime
IPX5 water resistance
TWS stereo pairing
Hands free calling
USB C fast charging
£29.95
Move M2: more presence, more flexibility
The Move M2 builds directly on the M1, offering a fuller and more confident sound while still remaining easy to carry around. This is the sweet spot for shared spaces, whether that is a kitchen, workshop or a casual gathering with friends.
What really sets the M2 apart is flexibility. In addition to Bluetooth, it supports USB, AUX and Micro SD card playback, allowing you to play music without a phone entirely. Dynamic LED lighting adds a visual element without feeling over the top.
Key specs
30W output
Bluetooth 6.0
Up to 30 hours playtime
IPX7 waterproofing
USB, AUX and Micro SD playback
TWS stereo pairing
Dynamic LED lights
£49.95
Move M3: proper power, still portable
If you want noticeably more punch, the Move M3 steps things up with increased power and improved bass performance. This is the model aimed at people who want room filling sound or something that can hold its own outdoors.
Despite the extra output, the M3 remains portable and practical, with IPX7 waterproofing and long battery life. It still supports stereo pairing, multiple playback options and LED lighting, making it a strong all rounder for home and away use.
Key specs
40W output
Bluetooth 6.0
Up to 30 hours playtime
IPX7 waterproofing
USB, AUX and Micro SD playback
TWS stereo pairing
Dynamic LED lights
£79.95
Move M4: built for social listening
At the top of the range sits the Move M4, the most powerful speaker in the lineup. With 70W of output, it is designed for social spaces, larger rooms, and gatherings where volume and bass matter.
Like the rest of the Move range, two M4 units can be paired for stereo sound, effectively turning them into a portable sound system. Despite its size, it remains rechargeable, waterproof, and easy to move around.
The range will be available from Amazon, Currys and Argos.
The Gadget Man verdict
Majority has clearly put thought into how people actually use portable speakers, not just how loud they can go. Bluetooth 6.0, stereo pairing across the range, long battery life and waterproofing make the Move lineup feel modern and well judged.
At these prices, especially at the M1 and M2 end, this is a range that looks set to appeal to students, families, and anyone who wants fuss free audio that can move with them through daily life. I will be keen to get hands on with them soon.
Well, this is exciting. The lovely folks at Anycubic have been in touch again, and this time they’ve got something rather special lined up for the 3D-printing world. If you’ve been following my recent adventures in the workshop — shelves of resin bottles, spools of filament, and printers humming away like a busy beehive — you’ll know I’ve been especially taken with Anycubic’s approach to innovation lately.
And now, they’ve gone and done it again.
Introducing the Kobra S1 Max Combo
A brand-new machine built to push desktop 3D-printing further — louder, brighter, more colourful, and more capable of serious engineering-grade work.
This is not just a quiet upgrade. This is one of those big leaps.
Kobra S1 Max ComboKobra S1 Max
What Makes It Stand Out?
The expanded spec list from the official campaign page reveals some key details:
Up to 16-colour printing: Start with one ACE 2 Pro module for 4 colours; combine up to four for the full 16-colour capacity.
Huge build volume: 350 × 350 × 350 mm.
Enclosed, actively-heated chamber up to 65 °C. Hotbed up to 120 °C, hotend up to 350 °C.
Hardened-steel hotend (0.4 mm standard with extra 0.6 mm included), optional 0.25 mm brass / 0.8 mm hardened steel nozzles.
CoreXY motion system, active carbon-filter air purification, WiFi6/Ethernet support, 720p monitoring, spaghetti-recognition AI, U-disk/app control.
Materials covered: from PLA/PETG/TPU right up to engineering-grades like ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PA6-CF, PC-CF/GF, PET-CF.
Put simply: whoever said “desktop printers are only for PLA” is going to have a rethink when this lands.
Early Bird Deal (This One’s Actually Worth It)
Anycubic are running a clever early-bird scheme:
Pay £50 now → receive £100 discount off the launch price (5th November to 24th November)
After that, the pricing rolls through phased levels — each with perks (as previously noted).
£749 (25 Nov-1 Dec) with £400 worth of perks
£799 (2 Dec-25 Dec) with £350 perks
£849 (26 Dec-31 Jan) with £300 perks
£949 (from 1 Feb) with £200 perks
So yes — if you’re thinking about it, the earlier the better.
And Here’s the Extra Bit I’m Excited About…
I’ll be in Frankfurt on the 18th November attending formnext — the global additive-manufacturing expo. It’s basically the Glastonbury of 3D printing: people everywhere talking filament, lasers, printheads, sintering furnaces — heavenly stuff.
I’m absolutely planning to track down Anycubic while I’m there and get a closer look at the Kobra S1 Max Combo in the flesh. Expect photos, impressions, maybe even first-hand print samples — all coming your way.
If you’ve got questions you’d like me to ask the Anycubic team directly, let me know in the comments.
Final Thoughts
This is shaping up to be a very compelling machine:
✔ Larger build volume ✔ Multi-colour support baked in ✔ Enclosed, CoreXY, heated chamber = better reliability ✔ Designed for real materials, not just for show
If it delivers what the specs promise, this could be one of the stand-out printers of 2025 — especially for makers and small business production.
I’ll bring back everything I learn at Formnext — stay tuned.
—
Matt Porter – The Gadget Man Currently surrounded by printers. Not sorry.
From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle
There’s something oddly thrilling about letting technology take creative control. I’ve spent years testing gadgets, reviewing innovations, and exploring the limits of artificial intelligence — but this time, I let the tech get a little more personal.
A few weeks ago, I asked Midjourney — my go-to AI image generator — a simple question: “What would The Gadget Man look like with a fresh new hairstyle?”
The result was, quite frankly, impressive. The AI produced a series of strikingly realistic portraits featuring a textured, platinum-blonde cut that looked part cyberpunk, part 21st-century rockstar. I loved it. The catch? It wasn’t real… yet.
The AI Concept
Armed with a few reference prompts and an experimental mindset, I spent an evening fine-tuning the digital version of myself. Midjourney, in its infinite wisdom, decided that bleached hair and choppy texture were the future of The Gadget Man brand.
At first, it was just a bit of fun. But the more I looked at the AI render, the more I realised — this was something I could actually pull off. So, I decided to make it happen.
Turning AI Into Reality
I booked an appointment with my stylist and brought along the AI images on my phone — full 360-degree green-screen shots of the “digital me.” It’s not every day you walk into a salon and say, “I’d like this look, please — it was designed by artificial intelligence.”
To their credit, they didn’t flinch. Instead, we broke it down into human-achievable steps:
The Cut: Short, faded sides with plenty of texture on top.
The Style: Tousled and natural, with enough lift to keep things casual.
The Colour: A cool, silver-white platinum tone — bold but clean.
The Result
Wait and see!!!
AI as a Creative Partner
This little experiment isn’t just about hair — it’s about what happens when AI moves from the screen into the real world. Whether it’s designing products, testing ideas, or in this case, reinventing a hairstyle, AI has become a kind of creative partner.
From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle
From Pixels to Platinum: When AI Designed My New Hairstyle
Coming soon: a behind-the-scenes video of the full transformation — from my original hairstyle to the final platinum reveal. Keep an eye on The Gadget Man socials for the big unveil.
Frankfurt is getting ready to host the world’s largest 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing (AM) event once again. From 18–21 November 2025, Formnext will transform the Messe Frankfurt exhibition halls into a showcase of innovation, collaboration, and real-world applications across industries.
This year promises over 800 exhibitors, including some of the biggest names in the AM world alongside a healthy mix of start-ups and research groups. Expect plenty of world premieres, live demonstrations, and a packed programme across aviation, aerospace, engineering, jewellery, watches, and more.
Spain takes centre stage as the partner country for 2025, bringing around 30 companies to Frankfurt. The Spanish AM sector has been growing rapidly and plays an interesting role as a link between Europe and Latin America, particularly strong in systems, materials, and research.
The Gadget Man will be attending formnext
The supporting programme looks just as impressive as the show floor itself. Three stages will run throughout the event, each with a different focus: industry trends, real-world applications, and the latest technologies. Seminars, talks, and showcases will cover everything from large-format 3D printing to data-driven design and construction AM. Add to that the Formnext Awards, start-up pitches, career opportunities, and networking events, and it’s clear this isn’t just an exhibition – it’s the meeting point for the global AM community.
I’ll be there on Tuesday 18 November for the Press Breakfast and then I’m looking forward to catching up with many of the 800 companies, checking out the latest announcements and exploring the halls. It’s always fascinating to see how far the technology has come, and this year looks set to offer plenty of inspiration.
Tickets are available now from formnext.com/visitors, with an early-bird discount running until 21 October.
