GADGET GURU’S MAGIC BOX

A furtive scour of the dark web indicates that eagle-eyed Guru superfans are absolutely foaming about the fact that GaGu has not actually talked about magic in his so-called ‘magic box’ for, like, forever. Let us change that. First, the magical kind, with a recommendation from Guru’s finest professional sorcerer friend Ricardo Shazam. He says that were GaGu to have the patience to turn his gigantic sausage hands to the fine art of prestidigitation, he should use Card Shark’s Phoenix playing cards (£5). They’re manufactured by USPC (also makers of Bee and the iconic Bicycle deck) but specifically formulated for the sticky fingers of those inclined towards the dark arts. You are also allowed to play snap with them, if that’s your thing – just don’t tell the Magic Circle.

Next, Magic of the capital-M: The Gathering variety, the venerable collectable card game which is not-so-secretly Guru’s favourite excuse to sit around a table with pals, at least beyond them buying him a succulent Chinese meal. GaGu does not recommend that you get involved. Nerds have too much money, therefore its secondary market is outrageous, and even primary booster sales are plagued by gouge-adjacent special packs and shiny chase cards. But Guru does recommend having a go on Magic: Arena, the game’s flashy online head-to-head extravaganza. It’s pretty good! And you can play for free, if you don’t mind being smashed by ultradorks.

Finally, stretching the ‘magic’ thing beyond its natural limits, Guru would like to talk about the membership-free Magic AI: Fitness Smart Mirror (£999 from magic.fit). Marble-mouthed its name may be, but it is at least descriptive – and if you use its AI training features, which can analyse your workout form, it’ll have you looking as ripped as a magical bag of marbles in no time. Guru cannot stand to look at himself, so he’d have to drape it in a cloth – that would defeat the object, but shush, don’t argue.