The Giz Wiz, Week of April 2, 2013, Netcast 1410

A visit to the 2013 International Auto Show at the Javits Center in NYC.

There were more than shiny 2013 and 2014 model cars and trucks at the International Auto Show in New York City. As I roamed the Javits Convention Center, I came upon The Log Dog Truck. With big teeth for a grill, it looked a big scary, so I asked about it. The back-story is that this was once a rusted old truck kids found on a farm. It was so old a tree grew right through it. But it came to life when struck by lightening. Log Dog Truck is the inspiration for a serious of Log Dog books and games Michael Johnson has just started to market. The Auto Show was his big premier. Michael actually built the Log Dog truck you see in the video. Forgive the erratic framing in a few of the shots. I shot this video with my PivotHead HD glasses, eyeglasses that shoot 1080p video. Michael’s tall and I’m not.

YouTube video The Giz Wiz with Michael Johnson: http://youtu.be/N1lAlHRMTBg

Here’s a short book review from the Log Dog Truck website:

Book Review by BlueInk Review

Superheroic Truck ‘n’ Tree Stars in New Picture book 

Michael P. Johnson’s cartoon-ready character LOGDOG is 100% heart, and this illustrated picture book devoted to him seems intended to launch the franchise with a hearty, action-packed creation story.

Billy and Kyle are the grandsons of Grandma and Grandpa Tuttle. Every summer the boys visit their grandparents on a farm in the country where they explore and play. Their favorite discovery is an old abandoned farm truck with a huge tree growing through the rusted out truck bed. The boys turned the pickup into a fort and then, thinking it looked like a “sleeping dog because of the way it appeared to lie on the ground with it’s four flat tires,” they named it LOGDOG.

When a fire starts on nearby Wolf Mountain, everyone – including an ancient oak tree – is terrified. The oak summons the power of Mother Earth, and much to the boys‘ delight, a lightning bolt turns LOGDOG into a huge, fire-stopping, four wheel superhero. The bizarre creature takes off into the sky to help extinguish the blaze and save the forest.

LOGDOG is everything young boys like; he’s a big-hearted hero with a knack for speed and friendship. Young boys may well become fans of this character and be looking forward to LOGDOG’S second adventure

www.logdogtruck.com

This was pretty neat too. From Toyota Mobility. The Auto Access seat that helps a person with limited mobility get in and out of the back seat of the car. The chair rises, lowers, swivels and moves in and out of the car by remote control. It's available as an option of several different Toyota models.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1410

Accell lets you charge 5 devices from one grounded outlet.

Accell has introduced a handy little gadget, the Home or Away Power Station. It’s a great travel gadget, but looking at it, it’s good for home/office use too. It features three surge protected grounded AC outlets and a folding power plug. I don’t have a dual 3-prong outlet here, (I’m in an old NYC studio) but just eye-balling it, it looks like plugging the Power Station won’t block the other outlet. The Home or Away Power Station is also equipped with two USB ports rated at 2.1 amps, 10 watts shared, so it’s also a charging station for cell phones, tablets and MP3 players. In addition, there’s a green LED indicator that shows you the outlet you’ve plugged into has power and that the connected equipment is protected. (There’s 612 joules of surge protection.) For compact travel, there’s a grounded power plug that folds completely into the back of the impact resistant housing. Accell’s Home or Away Power Station has an MSRP of $19.99 and is available in both white and black. I did a check on Amazon and found this e-tailor selling it for under $15. And if you have Amazon Prime (I do) shipping is free. 

http://tinyurl.com/c8vcvvq

Info at company website: http://www.accellcables.com/D080B.html

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1410

Fish that only need a bit of battery juice to swim.

Like to have something unique on your desk to start a conversation when a visitor drops in? Or something fun to entertain the kids in the bath? ROBO FISH could be the perfect answer. All you need is water. ROBO FISH magically turns on when placed in water. Its motor drive and electromagnetic core provides realistic, 5 directional swimming actions. It looks very realistic when it dives to the bottom, or swims around the top. Of course this battery powered toy is 100% waterproof.  The cutting-edge design of ROBO FISH makes it so life-like that even the cat will be entertained. There are 4 ROBO FISH designs as well as 4 ROBO SHARK designs. There’s also a kit which includes a special ROBO FISH tank. Now these fun fish are not designed to run constantly.  Battery life is about two hours, and you get a second set of batteries in the package. But they’re great for bath time, play time, or for a bit of entertainment in the office. When you take them out of the water, shake them off, and they'll turn off automatically. The company, Zuru, has partnered with CVS, so that’s where you’ll get the best price. ROBO FISH sell for $9.99 each at CVS. But they’re $15 to $20 or more on Amazon.

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/FifC79gCZnI

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

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1410

It's Leo's 'Crap I Got From Sky Mall' Time!

Wow! This week two gadgets from Sky Mall! And Leo did them together for a very good reason. First here are the gadgets and the descriptions from the Sky Mall Webite:

The 16-Shot Roulette Drinking Game. If you're getting past the beer pong stage, give this roulette wheel a spin. It includes a working roulette wheel, two metal roulette balls and 16 numbered shot glasses, adding the glamour of a casino and the element of chance to your next event. 11-1/2" dia. x 1-3/4" H. $19.99. 

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204693302&c=

Don't drive under the influence!

Bactrack Keychain Breathalyzer. There's no excuse for it -- especially when this keychain breathalyzer indicates you need to avoid driving. Three optional mouthpieces are included for multiple users, so if you're with friends, you can all test yourselves. This breathalyzer provides highly accurate results with a semi-conductor oxide sensor; results will display 0.0 - 0.40% BAC in just seconds. Compact size fits easily in your pocket or purse. Dimensions with mouthpiece folded are just 1.45"x .55" x 2.44". Requires one AAA battery (not included). Bactrack Keychain Breathalyzer. $29.99.

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/search.htm

And now Leo’s take? (Did you figure out the connection between the two gadget Leo chose to present together?) Leo had members of the TWiT staff (all very willing) play the Roulette Drinking Game. To make it interesting, Leo filled the glasses with some very expensive booze. After playing the game, where quite a few shots of liquor were consumed (and pretty much making up the rules), it was time to see if the Bactrack Breathalyzer worked. Those who drank the most seemed to get the highest (worst) score on the Bactrack device. Leo declared that it did indeed work! Then unfortunately someone suggested he clean the tip with an alcohol pad, which pretty much stopped the device from registering any further readings. The game? Leo said it was pretty poorly made, but might be worth the $20 price tag for a party or get together.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1410

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse! With another viewer video & how to sumbit your video.

Scott's video sumbisson started with this email:

My name is Scott Wyant from Trumann, Arkansas and I have posted a video submission for a gadget from my warehouse I thought you might be able to use in your show.

My gadget is the Diamond Rio PMP300 mp3 player.

Love the show and the hosts!!!!

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1oC_J5kMow&feature=youtube_gdata

Thank you for your consideration

Scott

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/dgw1410

+++

We'd love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show. Here's what we're looking for:

Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - (four maximum) in the 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! Do 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.

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 of all time! Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be something you just bought too.

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv