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

 Celebrating a gadget that changed portable computing! It's the 25^th Anniversary of the IBM Thinkpad, World's First Color Portable.

Yes, October, 2017 celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the first IBM ThinkPad notebook computer announced by IBM in October 1992. It went on sale immediately after the announcement. The 700C was their first color notebook with a 25MHz 80486 SLC processor upgradable to 50MHz. It also introduced the little red track point mouse-type device, or some people called it - the eraser - and something else very clever, the ThinkLight. The ThinkLight was a two small LED's to light the keyboard in dark situations. There were no backlit keyboards 25 years ago. This was not a size or light computer. It was 11.7" X 8.3" X 2.2" & weighed 7.6 pounds. The 10.4-inch screen offered 256 colors and an active-matrix LCD. The cost? $4,350 w/120MB HD. That's more that $7500 in 2017 dollars. Run time on a full battery was said to be about 3.5 hours. IBM was bought out by Lenovo in 2005 and they still produce ThinkPads. The lastest is the 5^th generation Carbon X1 ThinkPad. It's 347,000 times faster, has 1,024 time more memory, and is WAY thinner & lighter than the 25 year old model. And it starts at about $1500!

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ZM2taO9gSkI

Levnovo Website: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/landingpage/promotions/weekly-sale/thinkpad-laptops/?IPromoID=LEN760377

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1643

Photo from a great site for computer history: http://www.oldcomputers.net/

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

We’re looking for more Viewer Videos!

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. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! 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. (Thanks for understanding.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

******************************

Letter of the week:

Hi Dick & Chad

Saw this & thought of how much Dick likes LED lights.

Check it out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Y9LKMW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AR98AHJB8RR5J&psc=1

YouTube: https://youtu.be/QT9hMkTD2eQ

I am thinking of getting a couple of these.  Mo

The Giz Wiz Show 1642 for Sept 29th 2017, Our 125th Independent Production.

We're 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.  

This week and next we'll be talking about the latest in bike gadgets as The Giz Wiz returns from Interbike 2017, a huge trade show in Las Vegas with every bike and bike gadget imaginable. There were dozens of electric bikes, let's take a look at the new premium Pacer GT model from Smartmotion being released mid to late October 2017. (And a shout out to Justin Gottlieb of Interbike PR fame for taking time to be our onsite cameraman.) 

Here's info from the company since this bike wasn't out at the time we posted this: The Pacer GT offer all the commuting features of the popular Pacer, with a silent, silky smooth ride. The thumb throttle gives you that extra boost as you require to get up that hill, through that stream, or to get going just a bit quicker. There's a large full color LCD display with USB port integrated right into the frame. This helps keeps your bike clutter free. The mid-drive motor driving a Gates belt system to a Nuvinci hub makes the ride smooth, simple and clean. Dual high visibility LED strips on the rear carrier, an under frame LED strip, and a super bright front light illuminates your path and makes you stand out. A plus of the Gates belt drive is that you don't have to deal with the issues of a traditional chain drive. Other features include a 5 Level Pedal Assist + Throttle and a Torque Tuned Motor. As you'll hear in the video, the MSRP is $3999.00. Financing available.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/FIeso3W53TA

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1642

Turn almost any bike into an electric bike!

Meet the GeoWheel the wheel that raised over $1M on Kickstarter. Info via the company: Make pedaling your bike optional by replacing your regular front wheel with a GeoOrbital. The Wheel was developed by engineers from SpaceX and Ford. The breakthrough design of the GeoOrbital wheel an evolution of the electric bike. It is by far the most powerful in its class, affordable and easy to use and install. There is no need to install or configure any apps - simply clip on the throttle and use it like a gas pedal - the harder you press the faster you go. The 500W motor puts out TWICE the power of an Olympic cyclist. Pedal if you want, sit back if you don't. The GeoOrbital wheel comes in 2 sizes to fit over 95% of all adult sized bicycles. If your bike has 700c (a.k.a 28in/29in) or the smaller 26in wheels and uses rim brakes, the GeoOrbital wheel fits. In 60 seconds and without tools you can add electric power to a regular bicycle. Get around on your own bike, on your own schedule and without exerting more energy than you like. Traveling by bike is better for you and for the environment, not to mention it's a ton of fun. Max range without pedaling: 20 miles. With pedaling: 50 miles. Range is affected by weight, terrain, speed, etc. Bikes with the smaller tires have different specs. See the company website for all the details. Recharge time: 2 hours to 80%. 4 hours to 100% $995.00. 

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

See other uses the company has in mind for the Geowheel in their website video:

http://www.geoowheel.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1642

It's not a scooter, it's not a skateboard, it's a Scooterboard!

Before Interbike, I received this email from Rose Wang: I'm a 25-year-old entrepreneur with business experience since my childhood years. I've been working with my team on a revolutionary electric rideable that combines the experience of riding a skateboard with the stability of a scooter. We've created Scooterboard, a new category of rideable, and we recently launched on Kickstarter, reaching all of our goal within the first 48 hours. Scooterboard is an electric rideable with 3 wheels and a single-handed handle. Its lean-to-steer axle makes cruising and maneuvering easy. We've combined two experiences: Riding sideways and leaning to steer like a skateboard with the handling stability of a scooter. Whether using it for your commute or for your leisure, Scooterboard is an exciting and effortless way to get around! You can see our project here: (Giz Wiz says: This video is much better than the one I shot with Rose Wang at Interbike 2017. In their video you get to see the Scooterboard in action rather than just sitting on the show floor.) 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/457821098/scooterboard

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1642

Chad's Crappy Corner & His Final Gadget For His Theme For September, 2017

Loyal Patreons who wanted to, filled out a short form suggesting a gadget Chad should buy and use as his “Crappy Gadgets Of The Week”. This week a member suggested Chad buy and try the GloveLitf. Huh? The what? Read on.

As you'll see in the our show Chad had trouble pronouncing the name of this product (and who wouldn't). It's the GloveLitf, a hands free flashlight designed so you can use your hands free to hold other stuff like tools as you work in the dark. Chad thinks this is a total knock-off of what we now realize is the GloveLite. Amazon says: It's a lightweight elastic fabric with nylon loop, comfortable to use - Great work light. Fits left or right hand, quick release velcro catch for EZ on and off. Bright LED lights work with 2 replaceable CR2016 button batteries.

And Chad's take. At first Chad thought it was alright, but fit quite tight on his wrist. And he said the LED lights were just medium bright. But when Chad went to turn the GloveLite off, it wouldn't go off. Finally after 6 tries it did shut off, but it obvious the on/off switch was clearly broken. So this gadget went from so-so to no-no. 

 Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2fDmQ2n As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1642