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HAL 9000 has been reborn as a less murdery Bluetooth speaker and command console

But maybe don’t ask it to open the pod bay doors

Craig Grannell

You might get the feeling a digital assistant bears you ill on sending you the wrong way up the M1. But no modern AI compares to the murdery HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Should you want an ongoing reminder about overly trusting computers (or just a deeply cool prop) grab Master Replica Group’s HAL 9000 (from $419). Based on studio blueprints, the replica includes HAL’s glowing red eye and doubles as a wireless speaker. For full-on sci-fi buffs, there’s a command centre upgrade ($889 – limited to 2001 units), which adds a display, responds to spoken triggers, and updates over the internet. We hope it evolves into a suitably snarky (but not homicidal) assistant. “Play some Phil Collins, HAL!” I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t do that. “What’s the problem?” I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.

Profile image of Craig Grannell Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.