Gadget Guru’s magic box

Following a catastrophic visit to the local grease-slinger, during which repairs were advised for Guru’s clapped-out set of wheels that totalled far more than the car itself, he was given free reign to make a ‘sensible’ purchase to benefit the family. GaGu selected a nearly new Peugeot 2008 in Allure trim (from £16,969, though Guru paid a fair chunk less). Its Android Autocompatible head unit might have swayed his decision just a teensy little bit. It’s like a leap into the future considering his former car had only three working speakers and an engine compartment that smelled like fire.

GaGu’s investment in a newish car means his more frivolous purchasing has been curtailed for a little while. Guru would love to drop some money on a computer. The new Dell XPS 13, now boosted to 4K, is absurdly lovely, and there’s a big-boy self-built desktop PC in his future, no doubt. A new phone, like the £700 Huawei Mate 10 Pro, would also complement the motor. Alas, no – GaGu needs no more angry letters from his bank manager. Or even more polite, yet firm, ones.

Not that Ol’ GaGu is without technological thrills this issue, mind you. Lobbing about GaGu Jr’s remarkably competent birthday present Campark action cam (about £40, and no doubt the same tech is available under different generic badges) has been enormously fun, particularly because its pocket-money price means it won’t be too onerous to replace if its waterproof case shatters to bits. The same disinterested offspring was also gifted an excellent Lego Boost starter kit (£150), the neglect of which has led Guru to make his own Johnny 5-style robot friend. At last!