Hey,

Zoom fatigue is real — but bad lighting and tinny audio make it worse.

So this week, I pulled together the gear that genuinely improves your video calls, from sharp webcams to plug-and-play lighting upgrades.

Here’s what’s inside:
• 📸 The cameras that make you look instantly sharper
• 🎤 The mics that fix “bathroom-echo” audio
• 💡 And the lighting gear that does more than your camera ever could

Let’s dive in👇

^{*Some of the links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to you.}

Zoom calls aren’t going anywhere — so looking and sounding sharp is an easy win.

Here’s the gear that actually upgrades your setup 👇

Still the best webcam I’ve used. Fast autofocus, great tracking, solid colour science — it just works. If you want the biggest jump in video quality without getting into DSLR land, start here.

A great second option and easier on the wallet. Not as sharp as the Insta360, but absolutely good enough for most people. Smooth tracking, reliable focus, and simple setup.

If you want DSLR-quality without spending DSLR money, Sony’s entry-level mirrorless cameras are an insane value. Plug them in via USB and they act like a webcam — but with way better dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance.

The lens even pops out when you power it on. Proper camera = proper image.

The gold standard. Rich, warm, broadcast-quality voice audio.
Downside? You’ll need an XLR cable and an audio interface. If you’re okay with a bit more setup, nothing beats it.

If you want SM7B-like quality without all the cables, Shure’s USB microphone line is the way to go. Still crisp, still professional, and it plugs straight into your computer. Zero fuss.

Webcams struggle in low light. Give them good lighting and they suddenly look 10× more expensive. Seriously — lighting can outperform a camera upgrade.

My top pick. Thin, bright, colour-accurate, and surprisingly portable. They’re larger than Elgato panels, which means softer, more flattering light — and it makes a huge difference.

Great software, solid build, easy adjustment from your computer. If you’re already in the Elgato ecosystem, these slot right in.

📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:

Cash App just rolled out a new AI-powered financial assistant designed to help users understand their spending, track habits, and get simple explanations about where their money is going.

The assistant can break down purchases, flag unusual activity, explain fees, and even help users set goals — all inside the app, without needing human support.

The move puts Cash App directly in competition with Apple’s new “Budget” tools and Google Wallet’s AI insights.

Tesla’s latest FSD update — version 14.1.7 — is being described as one of the biggest improvements in years.

The system now uses a much larger vision model trained on more real-world footage, improving lane detection, merging, and night-time scenarios.

Early testers say the car feels “more confident,” but critics point out the usual caveat: drivers still must keep their hands on the wheel, and it’s far from true autonomy.

Dyson announced a new lineup of AI-driven home appliances, including an air purifier that learns your environment and adjusts airflow automatically.

The system uses advanced sensors to track pollutants, humidity, and temperature — then tweaks performance without you lifting a finger.

Alongside the purifier, Dyson also revealed updates to its robot vacuums and lighting fixtures, all centered on building smarter, more energy-efficient homes.

Black Friday is loud — flashing banners, “90% OFF!” claims, countdown timers — but not every deal is actually a deal.

Some prices are inflated weeks beforehand. Others are cheaper in March. And a few steals are genuinely worth jumping on.

In the next issue, I’ll walk you through:

Plus, my shortlist of the real Black Friday bargains — the ones I’d buy with my own money and the ones you can skip without FOMO.

📅 See you Thursday.