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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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    Wednesday
    Nov152017

    Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

    Our viewer video of the week isn't an old gadget (not yet, anyway) but a gadget we reviewed on the Giz Wiz a short while back. Turned out it our viewer bought one and it solved a problem that she had with her dog and her cat! And she made a great little video with a full explanation! Here's the email that came with the YouTube video link:

    Hey Dick and OMG Chad,

    I bought the Catit water fountain after seeing your review a few episodes ago on The Giz Wiz Show. I live in France and was worried that it wouldn't be available on Amazon France. To my surprise was available so I ordered it right away. I can happily report that it works great and solves a problem I was having with my cat and dog drinking from the cascading water in the fish bowl. Now they are happy to drink from the Catit and leave the goldfish alone. The goldfish is happy and the cat and dog are drinking clean water. I made this short video to show you the product in use.

    https://youtu.be/CpiYjNKfdEo

     

    The Catit Flower Fountain is here on Amazon. http://amzn.to/2jyOora 

    As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

    This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

    I’m a long time fan and look forward to your show every week.

    Thanks, Dorothy

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1649  

     

    +++++++++++++++++++++++

     

    We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so here's what we're looking for! Your home shot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories:

     

    I bought a piece of crap: Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies.

    -

    I invented this! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. No professional ads please.

    -

    My Gadget Warehouse: Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it.

    -

    My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be a new gadget you just bought too.

    -

    Post them on YouTube and send us the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you’ll a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (After December 15, 2017, they'll be something else MAD sent with your Alfred E. Neuman photo. And unfortunately, after that date, we can only send to US addresses. MAD is moving to California, so our supplies will be greatly limited.)

     

    All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

     

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     

    Letter of the week:

     

    From: Ivan Hahn

     

    Subject: There, their, they're

     

    Hello!  I'm the maker of the (Gadget Warehouse) video (introduction)! I thought it was funny (Using “there” and “they're” -both incorrectly). If you want another version made please let me know. I can get it out in a week!

     

    --Ivan R Hahn  Brick NJ

    Thursday
    Nov092017

    The Giz Wiz Show 1648 for November 10th, 2017, Our 131th Independent Production. 

    We're well into our third year of Independent Production thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters! If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/. You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help.

    We start the show this week with two unique gadgets from a new event called Fair Play, held at the Javits Center NYC, November 3-5, 2017.

     

    Remember in last week's show we talked about Lego losing it's patent on Lego Bricks? Well, here's another sample of a product that works with, and looks like, Lego bricks - but with a big difference. E-Blox not only can they be used to build your creations, they can also bring them to life! E-Blox uses a patented technology, which consists of tin-plated blocks (pARTS line) that connect to a battery block, powering the electrical component blocks. The plated blocks used in our pARTS line allow you to seamlessly integrate electronic circuitry into your builds so there are no wires to bundle and hide. The company says that soon you will be able to add motors, speakers, amplifiers, Bluetooth connectivity, and sound effects to your pARTS sets. There are two different product lines and here's the difference between E-Blox Circuit Builder and E-Blox pARTS product lines.The E-Blox Circuit Builder line is great for STEM education and learning. E-Blox pARTS are a form of independent study to fulfill the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) principles. With E-Blox pARTS, there are no predetermined builds. Rather, E-Blox pARTS are designed to encourage you to use your imagination and creativity to design your own builds, or modify existing builds you may already have from other brands. There's also something called eBlox stories kits on their website. The boat in the photo is from one of those kit-building stories. The company recommended age for E-Blox is 8 years and up. Kits start at $34.99. 

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/y4mtE3UZnwA 

    Company website: http://www.myeblox.com/ 

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

    Thursday
    Nov092017

    Chalk of the Town - A Clever Name For a Chalkboard You Wear.

    This caught my eye as I roamed around the Play Fair Show at the Javits Center in NYC. It lets anybody draw or write on the chalkboard surface area of their Chalk of the Town t-shirt with a Chalk of the Town marker. The company says you get the best results when you lay the shirt on a flat surface before drawing and use only markers available through Chalk of the Town. Use of other markers may result in staining of the chalkboard surface. To erase the chalkboard, slightly dampen a cotton cloth with water and wipe the surface clean. They recommend using the erasing cloth included in the kit and why wouldn't you? You can let your imagination run wild and draw whatever occurs to you, or use the kit stencil to express your personal interests and style. And don't worry. Chalk of the Town t-shirts are designed to be used, worn, erased and washed over and over again! They come in kid and adult sizes. The price a kit which includes the shirt, a special marker, erase cloth and storage pouch is about $28.00.

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/Ul2YR6SHm0I

     

    Company Website: http://www.chalk-of-the-town.com/

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

    Thursday
    Nov092017

    OMG! OMGchad gets his iPhone X! What does he think of it?

    Yes, Chad got his new phone and reminded us to call it the iPhone 10, not the iPhone X. So far Chad LOVES it. He worried about the 'notch' at the top of the screen (be sure to watch this week's show) but he said it 'disappears' in your mind very quickly as you use the phone. And as you'll see there is a learning curve as to how to use all the features of the iPhone that you used to bring up with the 'home button'. The new phone has no 'home button' and Chad says it takes about a day to learn how to navigate to all the features you used to use that button for. Chad loves the new 5.8 inch Super Retina screen too. The screen is as big as his older iPhone, but his new phone is actually smaller. Leaving out the 'home button' brought about that bit of magic. And Chad bought the 128GB version, so it was about $1100! (He's on the monthly pay plan.) This is a just a quickly summary of what Chad showed us, including the 'face recogniton' phone unlock, so be sure to watch the entire review here: 

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

    Thursday
    Nov092017

    Chad's Crappy Corner & The Second Gadget For His New Theme For November!

    Chad polled our loyal Patreon (the great folks who keep our show alive) as to what he should chose for his November them. Their verdict: cheap cooking gadgets! Chad's second gadget for this month's theme is the Dash Mini Maker Waffle.

    Chad bought his at Bed Bath & Beyond, but it's also on Amazon. Here's what Amazon says about the Dash Mini Makers. Enjoy delicious, homemade meals quickly with the Dash Mini Makers. These cute little appliances are more than they seem. Each one features a different nonstick cooking surface with which to explore different recipes, from waffles to burgers to even quick fajitas! (They make 3 versions - Chad bought the waffle version.) These Mini Makers heat up quickly, making your day easier and keeping you moving forward without sacrificing your health. Have fun experimenting when you use any one of our Mini Makers! Compact and easy to use, the Mini Waffle maker is perfect for quick, healthy snacks. From chocolate waffles to hash browns, there's something for everyone! $9.99

     

    And Chad's take? Chad really like this Mini Maker Waffle. He bought it at Bed Bath & Beyond for $10, but I also found it on Amazon for $9.99. It is mini. It measures 5" L x 6-1/2" W x 3" H. But as you'll see in Chad's review, it does make very decent waffles in about two minutes. It heats up quickly and as Chad showed us, a Blue indicator light lets you know when the grill is preheated. Chad ate a couple of the waffles he made and said they tasted fine. What Chad liked about this device most is that it takes up very little counter space and that it has a 'mini' price of just $10. He considers this one of the least 'crappy' gadgets he's ever covered in his 'crappy corner' gadget spot.

     

    It's available in colors on Amazon and at Bed, Bath & Beyond. On Amazon some of the colors are more money. The red Mini Maker Waffle was under on Amazon:

     

    http://amzn.to/2Aylj3i

    As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

    This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648