Gadget Detective - A selection of free tech advice & tech news broadcasts by Fevzi Turkalp on the BBC & elsewhere

Fevzi Turkalp, the Gadget Detective, joins Clive Bull on LBC to talk tech and answer listener questions. On the show; With talk of a social media ban for under 16s, why are they proposing it and how would it be implemented?
Listener questions include
- How often should you charge a power bank?
- What is the best headset to use for dictating via AI?
- What is the difference between 3,4, and 5g?
- Is Starlink more advanced than other broadband providers?
- What to do if a mobile phone isn't of the quality you need or require
- Is Duck Duck Go's browser worthwhile using?
- What are the best programs or devices for those with sight issues?
- How can you convert 8mm and VHS footage to digital?
- Converting footage on an SD card to another video format
Gadget of the Week goes to;
Soundcore'S Work AI Voice Recorder. Around the size of a pound coin, this microphone clips on to clothes, sticks magnetically to the back of your phone, or comes with a cord, with a built in battery offering around 8 hours' recording, or 32 hours with a supplied clip on case. This uses AI to transcribe your conversations to text, differentiating between speakers, and can also translate. With 300 minutes of free transcription a month or a subscription model for those needing more, this could be ideal for those needing to keep a lot of notes from conversations.
Elgato's Video Capture. This gadget sits between your 8mm or VHS player and your PC or laptop and converts your footage to digital formats for easy storage or sharing. An excellent way to preserve your precious memories.
R0DE's SmartLav+ Smartphone Lavalier Microphone. Fitted with a standard 3.5mm TRRS plug, this clip on microphone is ideal for those requiring high quality audio, such as podcasters or film makers. Supplied with a foam pop shield for extra clarity and a Kevlar reinforced 4ft cable, this microphone is also compatible with R0DE's free iOS and Android Reporter App. Ideal for those looking for high quality recordings whether at home, in the studio, or on the go.
R0DE's AI-Micro Ultra Compact Duel Channel Audio Interface. This compact USB interface offers high quality audio recording whether connected to your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android or more. Compatible with virtually any microphone fitted with a 3.5mm plug, and with a headphone out socket, too, this supports USB-A, USB-C and Lightning cables. Ideal for those wanting excellent sound quality from their recordings.
You can follow and contact the Gadget Detective on X @gadgetdetective and BlueSky @gadgetdetective.com
#Fevzi
#Turkalp
#Gadget
#Detective
#Tech
#Technology
#News
#Reviews
#Help
#Advice
#Clive
#Bull
#LBC
#Radio
#Social
#Media
#Ban
#Under
#16
#UK
#Government
#Online
#Harm
#Addiction
#Power
#Bank
#Charge
#Anker
#ChatGPT
#Gemini
#Perplexity
#Claud
#Mobile
#Network
#3g
#4g
#5g
#Starlink
#Broadband
#Elon
#Musk
#Consumer
#Rights
#Duck
#DuckDuck
#Browser
#Blind
#Vision
#Sight
#Partially
#Sighted
#Jaws
#Apple
#iPhone
#Google
#Android
#Accessibility
#Windows
#Mac
#Convert
#8mm
#VHS
#Digital
#SD
#Card
#GadgetoftheWeek
#Elgato
#Video
#Convertor
#Soundcore
#Work
#Microphone
#Transcribe
#Translate
#R0DE
#SmartLav
#Lavalier
#Clip
#Smartphone
#Micro
#Ultra
#Duel
#Channel
#Audio
#Interface
#Lightning
#USB
#Headphone

Fevzi Turkalp, the Gadget Detective, joins Clive Bull on LBC to discuss whether 2026 could be the year of the humanoid robot. Designed to be helpers around the home are they really advanced enough just yet to be truly useful? While the AI is certainly progressing, have the robotics caught up sufficiently? Plus, being connected online, are they a security risk?
Gadget of the Week goes to;
Devolo's Magic 2 WiFi 6 Next Wifi Kit. This kit combines both mains wired and wireless connections to create a mesh network around your home or office, improving coverage. With Wifi 6 implementation for extremely fast wireless connections, this kit comes in different packs to suit all needs. Scoring 4.5 out of 5
You can follow and contact the Gadget Detective on X @gadgetdetective and BlueSky @GadgetDetective.com
#Fevzi
#Turkalp
#Gadget
#Detective
#Tech
#Technology
#News
#Reviews
#Help
#Advice
#Grok
#Perplexity
#AI
#Robot
#Home
#Helper
#Robotics
#Vacuum
#Cleaner
#Security
#Safety
#Companionship
#Counselling
#Sex
#Chores
#Cleaning
#Ironing
#Future
#Servant
#Dexterity
#iRobot
#Skynet
#Terminator
#GadgetoftheWeek
#Devolo
#Magic
#2
#Wifi
#6
#Mesh
#Network
#Electric
#Circuit
#Coverage

Fevzi Turkalp, the Gadget Detective, joins Jim Davis on BBC Radio London to discuss the latest tech news and answer listener questions. This time;
- Why is there not a way for the BBC to monitor how much of their service is used to determine how much license needs paying?
Gadgets of the Week go to;
Devolo's Magic 2 WiFi 6 Next Wifi Kit. This kit combines both mains wired and wireless connections to create a mesh network around your home or office, improving coverage. With Wifi 6 implementation for extremely fast wireless connections, this kit comes in different packs to suit all needs. Scoring 4.5 out of 5
Aqara's Smart Lock U200 Lite. This smart lock allows you to lock and unlock a door remotely using a mobile phone over Wi-Fi or bluetooth, and integrates with your smart home ecosystem to allow use of Alexa, Google or Siri to operate. Scoring 4 out of 5, more in the show
Aqara's G4 Smart Video Doorbell With Chime. This video doorbell offers 24/7 recording to memory card or local NAS storage. With two-way communication and even a voice changing function to allow you to disguise your voice for added security. Scoring 4 out of 5, more in the show.
Plus, hot from the recent CES 2026 in Las Vegas there's;
Nebula's X1 Pro 4K Projector. This substantial but portable 4K laser projector offers 7.1.4 surround sound and is capable of throwing an image up to 115 inches at excellent quality. Scoring 4.5 out of 5, more in the show
Withing's Body Scan 2. These hi-tech scales measure 60 different metrics, including hypertension, respiration, heartrate, even ECG and much more using a built in handle, with results being sent to the excellent Withings mobile phone app. Scoring 4 out of 5, more in the show.
You can hear the Gadget Detective on BBC Radio London every other Thursday just after 1pm and can follow and contact him on X @gadgetdetective and BlueSky @GadgetDetective.com
#Fevzi
#Turkalp
#Gadget
#Detective
#Tech
#Technology
#News
#Reviews
#Help
#Advice
#Jim
#Davis
#BBC
#Radio 
#London
#License
#Free
#Metered
#GadgetoftheWeek
#Devolo
#Magic
#2
#Wifi
#6
#Mesh
#Network
#Electric
#Circuit
#Coverage
#Aqara
#Smart
#Lock
#Lite
#U200
#Remote
#Bluetooth
#Timer
#Door
#Access
#G4
#Chime
#Doorbell
#Video
#NAS
#Storage
#Security
#Voice
#Changer
#Anker
#Nebula
#Pro
#4K
#Laser
#Projector
#Portable
#Surround
#Sound
#Fat
#Vascular
#Heartrate
#Respiration
#Health
#Illness

Fevzi Turkalp, the Gadget Detective, joins Clive Bull on LBC Radio to discuss the latest tech news, including the announcement of ChatGPT Health, a new AI service aiming to help users understand and access health service and advice. Initially available in the US, when will it be available in the UK and should we be cautious of handing it access to our medical records?
Plus a look at the latest gadgets showing in Las Vegas at CES 2026, including
Soundcore's Nebula X1 Pro, a triple laser based smart projector capable of producing a 4K cinema quality image and wireless 7.4.1 surround sound.
Withings Body Scan 2 scales. These measure around 60 different body metrics, including blood pressure, heartrate, ECG, fat and visceral fat levels, menstrual cycle and much, much more. Ideal for those serious about monitoring their health.
Lego's SMART Play system. These interactive Lego bricks have speakers and sensors built in to interact with other Lego products, which expands the already massive fun of Lego.
You can follow and contact the Gadget Detective on X @gadgetdetective and BlueSky @GadgetDetective.com
#Fevzi
#Turkalp
#Gadget
#Detective
#Tech
#Technology
#News
#Reviews
#Help
#Advice
#Clive
#Bull
#LBC
#Radio
#ChatGPT
#Health
#AI
#Artificial
#Intelligence
#Records
#NotebookLM
#Privacy
#Apps
#Data
#CES
#Las
#Vegas
#2026
#Soundcore
#Nebula
#X1
#Pro
#Laser
#Projector
#4K
#Surround
#Withings
#Body
#Scan
#2
#Scales
#Pulse
#ECG
#Heartrate
#Blood
#Pressure
#Lego
#SMART
#Brick
#Sensors
#Speakers
#Light
#Interactive
#Play
#Blocks

Fevzi Turkalp, the Gadget Detective, joins Henry Riley on LBC Radio to discuss calls for the UK to block access to Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly Twitter, after it emerged that the AI, Grok, was being used to create deepfake obscene images, including of children and celebrities. Will X clean up its act or is it time for the government to step in?
You can follow and contact the Gadget Detective on X @gadgetdetective and BlueSky @GadgetDetective.com
#Fevzi
#Turkalp
#Gadget
#Detective
#Tech
#Technology
#News
#Reviews
#Help
#Advice
#Henry
#Riley
#LBC
#Radio
#Elon
#Musk
#X
#Grok
#AI
#Artificial
#Intelligence
#OFCOM
#Pornography
#Porn
#Sex
#Children
#Minors
#Celebrities
#Ban
#Access
#Block
#UK
#Government
#EU
#Legislation
#Law
#Paedophilia
#Padophilia
#Twitter
#Deepfake
#Trump
#US
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