Chad meets some Playful Coding Critters.

Chad visits Learning Resources, a leader in screen-free coding robots for kids 4 to 9 years of age. The first gadgets he sees are the Coding Critters. They use simple buttons sized for little hands, preschoolers learn early STEM concepts through 100% screen-free coding challenges! These pets are ready to code right out of the box! (Probably with a bit of adult help at first, send the Coding Critters on their storybook adventures, as you code them to play fetch, hide and seek, and more. As kids learn they can even design their own challenges! MSRP of Coding Critter Playsets are $39.99.

Info on the Coding Critics: https://www.learningresources.com/coding-critters-your-first-coding-friends

But wait, there's more!

For kids 5 and older, there's the new Botley 2.0. The brand new six-direction remote programmer allows kids to control Botley’s movement as he rolls back, forth, and now diagonally as well. It also includes interactive features, like a “Botley Says” game and secret codes to program a colorful light show with Botley’s light sensor, or turn Botley into a train, ghost, police car and more. Using up to four Botley 2.0s in one room, siblings, friends or students can conduct multiplayer races and competitions, perfect for larger families and classroom activities.

Botley 2.0 will be available in different sets for purchase starting in April 2020 for a suggested retail price of $64.99-$84.99 (depending on the set).

All the Botley Kits: https://www.learningresources.com/shop/collections/botley  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1762

OUR BEST OF 2019 Giz Wiz Show! #1761 Show of January 9, 2019 Independent Show #243

I love this gadget! It's a flashlight. It's a lantern. And it's a mini faux fireplace too! Turn the lantern on by pulling up on the handles. The distinctive dancing flame is attractive, and looks like a real flame. This flickering candle effect lantern is a great alternative to candle lanterns. It’s a 360 degree LED outdoor camping lantern, also a flashlight. There is a foldaway handle you can use to hang our lantern from a branch, beam or tent-pole. You can also use it in hand as your flashlight. The company says it's water resistant. Under $13. As you'll see in the video I made, I love these lanterns!! Part of description says solar charging, but mine does not have that. I think that's a mistake as none of the photos show a solar panel. But since I paid less than $13, I wouldn't expect solar charging too. Price is for one lantern. The photo shows the 3 different ways the lantern can light.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2t9SUBJ - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Chad's September theme was “Cheap gadgets from Alibaba"!

One of his gadgets was the Mini USB Automatic Compression Vacuum Pump Sealer Clamp Strip Bags Kitchen Tool Fresh Food Rod Strip Kitchen Tool With Bag. We both liked this device.

Here's what Alibaba says about it: Mini USB Automatic Compression Vacuum Pump Sealer Clamp Strip Bags Kitchen Tool. Specifications: Small size, easy to carry, easy to use. Supported sealed bag, waterproof, moisture proof, moldproof. It is a good choice for food storage. Vacuum Pump Sealer. Material: ABS + PC Battery: 800mAh Battery (Included) Vacuum: 40-50K. It's under $5, but will take a few weeks for delivery.

And Chad's take: The box arrived crushed but it seems the contents –1 x Vacuum Pump Sealer - 5 x Storage Bags - 1 x USB Cable & 1 x Sealing Clip contents were all fine. Watch that week's show to see the Vacuum Pump in action. It actually does work, with certain limitations. Chad will explain in his 'cheap gadget' spot.

Alibaba link:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000044900201.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4e924c4d9fhR2b

Chad's video is in this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1749  

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761

A great 12 Outlet Surge Protected Power Strip & Chad's Find A Great Mini-Mic.

I really like the AmazonBasics 12-Outlet Surge Protector. Chad too likes them and wished he could have them all through his house. This heavy-duty power strip allows for up to 12 plug-ins, 4 of them widely spaced for those large transformer plugs. You can attach this to a wall with the handy keyhole mount on the back, or place in a convenient location for quick and easy access to your plugs and cords. The power strip includes built-in nice bright green LED lights that indicate when your devices are protected and your wiring is properly grounded. It also features a power on/off switch that integrates with a 15Amp overload resettable circuit breaker. The surge protector has a 4320 Joule Energy Rating. Finally there are sliding outlet covers to deflect dust, and a durable, heavy-duty 14 AWG 8' power cord. Best news, it's under $20, $19.99. For a two bucks more you can get the device with a 10' cord. There's also a smaller version Amazon Basic Power Strip for $14.99.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/rEDzFWzAMRM  

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2ZG2Ku6 - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This is not the Kikkerland one, but an almost identical one. I picked this picture because it shows the scale of the mic to a hand.Chad's November theme, as picked by our loyal Patreons, is “tiny cheap gadgets”. This week Chad a really cute little microphone. The one he bought is branded as a Kikkerland Mini Karaoke Microphone. Chad got his a Kohls where it was listed as $19.99. Luckily it was on sale for $11.99. You have to see this week's show to see what we mean by mini. This microphone can easily be hidden in a closed fist! Listen to Chat's audio test too. The chatroom thought it sounded really good, especially for the price. And it seems Chad might have overpaid since similar mics are all over the web for $4 to $8. And just a buck or two over at AliExpress. But wait, there's more! Not only does this mic easily plug into a smarphone headphone jack, it has a headphone port on the cable so you can listen to playback without removing the mic from your phone.

And Chad's take: Chad was amazed at how good the sound was, especially for the price. But if you have an iPhone like Chad, you'll need to buy a Lightening to 3.5mm dongle in order to use it. It comes in many colors and it's so tiny it's sure to attract attention anywhere you use it. (Not that Chad & I ever try to attract attention.)

Here's the exact one Chad bought: https://kikkerland.com/products/mini-karaoke-microphone?_pos=1&_sid=48c8c07d0&_ss=r   

But you'll find similar ones way cheaper if you just search for mini 3.5mm microphone on Amazon!

See or hear this show with the mini-mic:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761

An amazing mobile scooter that is airline friendly & Chad gets his garage organized.

The company says you can travel in style and enhance day-to-day life with the ATTO, the most advanced foldable mobility scooter in the world! Founder of Moving Life, Nino Ransenberg, who was diagnosed with polio, has been using mobility scooters all his life, but never felt they really met his needs. As an entrepreneur he wanted to have something that would serve him in his busy business schedule as well as his travels with his family. Introducing ATTO - Moving Life's foldable mobility scooter. When folded, ATTO easily fits in the trunk of any vehicle, including mini cars and taxis. ATTO can also split into two parts that fit in the overhead compartments of most commercial airplanes. When opened, ATTO is a full-size scooter with an attractive and eye-catching design. Top Speed 4 mph. A 4- to 5-hour charge delivers up to 10 miles of continuous driving on average. Maximum incline: 6 degrees. Can be used to get out of the rain, but not for use IN the rain. Maximum weight allowance 220 pounds. ATTO’s weight, not including the battery, is – Front half: 26.4 lb (12 Kg) Rear half: 35.7 lb (16.2 Kg) Assembled: 62.2 lb (28.2 Kg) The battery weighs 4.1 lb (1.85 Kg). Price online seems to be $2799.00 at most places when I did a web search.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/V03ZVoJrino  

Company website: https://movinglife.com/ 

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761

From Chad's “Cheap Garage Gadgets” a clever reusable cable management tool. Chad liked cable management tools from two different companies, both of which, he found at Home Depot. This is a great and inexpensive way to organize almost any sort of cable, wire, hose, etc. Chad bought the MegaCuff for larger items like hoses, ropes, cables, even sports and boating equipment, etc. Then he bought some smaller cable management devices from a different company, Cable Cuff PRO. They all seem to be constructed with Polycarbonate polymers and with a bit of Stainless Steel. None were higher in price than $3.98 on Home Depot. Chad like the Cable Cuff Pro line better because they incorporate a hanging clip/carabineer. They also feature a Push Button and hinge. The company says their clip has self-aligning teethed jaws that automatically hold multiple open positions. And Chad found the Cable Cuff Pros were easier to use. Be sure to watch his video on this show to watch Chad demonstrate how they work and why he prefers one brand over the other.

Chad's demo was on this episode of The Giz Wiz: http://gizwiz.tv/episode/1714

Here's a link to those from Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cable-Cuff-MEGA-Cuff-made-from-high-impact-ABS-and-Stainless-Steel-MX-0803/202364196 

Plenty of them on Amazon too: https://amzn.to/2FAay4h - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761 

More good stuff! The theft-proof backpack & disco lights for your phone or external battery charger!

Theft-Proof Backpack? I think this one is great start!

Every year for the "back-to-school" spot I try to find a unique backpack. This year I found one that not only unique, it's very inexpensive. It's the Poruary Anti-theft Backpack. That's what the hangtag on the bag says. When I first received it I thought, “This backpack has no pockets! How do you put stuff in it?” Turns out the main pocket zipper is hidden in the back of this bag, the part that is up against your back. That way there's no way a thief can get to it with you knowing about it. There's a USB Charging port and a headphone port on the outside so you can listen to music or charge a device from within the bag. Easy fits 15.6" laptop and probably some 17” laptops too. More than 10 compartments to keep all your things well organized. Made of durable waterproof and dust proof nylon and oxford fabric. I weighed the backpack empty and it was just about 2 pounds 2 ounces. Best of all, amazing low price. I paid under $20 on Amazon in August 2019. (No, it does not include the headphones & smartphones.)

Looks like Amazon sold out of these backpacks, but here is a very similiar one. https://amzn.to/2PUZTXO  - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Most Discos May Be Gone, But Disco Lights --- they go on & on....!

These flashing lights are an update on something Chad found a few weeks earlier in the year - The Disco LED Phone Light. I was impressed with the mini-multicolor dancing lights and looked for one on Amazon. Surprise! I found one that is about the same price as Chad paid, but for that price I could get three of them. And while Chad's LED disco light was designed only for an iPhone, the one I found on Amazon comes with adapters for micro-USB, USB-C, iPhone, and USB-A. It's sound activated so the lights dance to your voice, music or even to your phone ringing. It plugs into the charging port of your smartphone, or you can power it from an external battery charger. You'll see it all in my Disco Dick's demo. Best news is that a 3 pack, each with 3 adapters, was under $13.00 as of 12/6/19

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/WEcZ0K-   

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2LvPRtI - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761