The Giz Wiz, Week of April 30th, 2014, Show #1466

Three Travel Gadgets for 2014. Starting with the Packable Backpack.

Throw this little bag in your luggage when you leave on your trip. When you get to your destination and you want to make a day trip, this travel gadget will come in very handy. It's theTravelon Packable Backpack, Style 42817, a pocket size accessory that opens to a full size backpack.  It folds into an the internal pocket you see in the photo for easy storage and packing.  Made of water and stain resistant, lightweight ripstop, the backpack has 2 zipper compartments, 2 internal pockets in main compartment, 2 water bottle pockets and a media pocket with audio port.  Available in Black, Lime and Aqua.  MSRP is $35. Do a web search as discounts are often available, but be aware this is one of the Travelon's newest travel gadgets and may not be widely available yet. (As on 4/21/14)

Giz Wiz YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/yWqx0xVtEIE

The Packable Backpack should be on sale sometime in May, 2014. Here's a link to the manufacturer's website: 

http://www.travelonbags.com/comingsoon/packable-backpack

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1466  

The Acer Switch. It has magnetic appeal.

At the Acer preview event I attended on April 29, 2014, Acer unveiled the  2-in-1 Acer Aspire Switch 10. It's a clever notebook and tablet combined in one flexible device. There are other companies doing combo products, but what sets the Switch apart is the magnetic detachable Acer Snap Hinge design. It makes for easy transition between tablet and latch-free keyboard docking, plus optional storage capabilities. I got a chance to play with the sturdy Acer Snap Hinge. It features two magnetic hooks to firmly connect the tablet to the keyboard, plus a 2-way connector that holds the tablet for convenient two-sided viewing. The tablet can easily be plugged or released (by lifting it) from the dock. It's not a flimsy connection; Acer says the magnetic force is capable of holding 2.8 kg (6.2 lb.) in weight. Although the interior keyboard is plastic, the rear cover of the tablet features an cross-brush nano imprint on aluminum. Acer says the Aspire Switch 10 is one of the thinnest 2-in-1 devices on the market, measuring less than 8.9 mm thin (0.35 inches) in tablet mode and 20.2 mm (0.44 inches) with the keyboard dock. Weighing just 0.59 kg (1.29 lb.) for the tablet only and 1.17 kg (2.58 lb.) for the tablet and keyboard, the light and ultra-thin design is ideal for bringing on the road. The 10.1-inch display (1366 x 768 pixels) with IPS technology provides wide viewing angle of up to 178-degrees. The Aspire Switch 10 is powered by an Intel Atom processor and features Microsoft InstantGo. (I believe the processor is the “Bay Trail-T” quad-core). Since we were indoors I didn't get a chance to try the Acer LumiFlex which optimizes screen visibility during outdoor activities, even under sunlight. The Switch will be available toward the end of May or early June for a MSRP of $379.00. 

Acer Produced Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xojSBN63b00

Acer Web Page: http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/home 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1466  

Here's a handy travel wallet you can hang from your neck, or put on your belt.

Protect essential items with this Anti-Theft Travel Wallet from Travelon. The Travelon Anti-Theft Travel Wallet is made from durable nylon with RFID blocking technology that protects your identity and credit card information from thieves that use radio frequencies to steal the sensitive information stored on your cards. This RFID blocking wallet has a flap front design with a Velcro closure and a secure lateral lock to protect against pickpockets. This wallet has a zip around design and includes several card slots for credit cards and ID, plenty of room to store cash and coins, and front and rear compartments to hold your cell phone and other valuable items. Under $30. Do a web search and you can most likely find this travel gadget at a discount. Model 42475 Size:  5.5 x 4.5 x 1.5” 

http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft-travel-wallet

If you want to carry more stuff, Travelon makes an almost indenitical theft-travel-wallet that's a bit bigger. Almost all the features are the same, except the larger model doesn't have a belt loop or the lateral lock tab. Model 42220 Size:  7.5" x 5.25" x 1.5"  Suggested retail is $35.00, but do a web search you can most likely find it for less.

http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft/anti-theft-neck-wallet

GizWiz Safety Wallet Video: http://youtu.be/CGAQCvxJcIw  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1466  

Chad's Crappy Corner! But it might be good. (Might be.)

Silly Putty is, well Silly Putty, no? Well, not so fast. Here’s the info I found when I went to the link Chad sent me:

This is from the PBS 'make your own silly putty' page. Link below.Now you can buy Coral Colored Funny Putty in bulk and save.

PLEASE DO NOT BE CONFUSED: Silly Putty is a registered trademark of Binney & Smith.
   

You may view a copy of the registration at
http://trademarks.uspto.gov/access/search-num.html, by searching for registration number 0560758.  Only Binney & Smith may sell Dilatant compound under the name Silly Putty (R).

We sell the same coral colored putty so call it what you want (just don't call it Silly Putty)
(no egg though, that you have to provide yourself!)

$22 a pound, plus $6 shipping/packing for the first pound, $1.50 per pound shipping thereafter.

----end of website content. 

Who knew? But what does Chad think of Funny Putty? He loved it. He played with it long after we finished recording the show, and others in the studio were lined up to play with it too. Especially fun is pushing it down on newspaper and getting a reverse imagine on the Funny Putty. 

Here’s the link where Chad bought his funny putty: 

http://www.funstuffusa.com/sillyput.htm

But wait, there’s more! Did you know you can make your own silly putty? Actually, they do call it Silly Putty on that PBS website below, but probably it should be called Silly Putty-type stuff. (I really don’t know for sure.)

http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/homemade-silly-putty/

Chad said that making your own silly-type putty sounded like fun, but turned out to be time-consuming and expensive. Also, it took much longer than he expected, so we only saw a little bit of his result on the show. And it didn't work neat like the web-bought Funny Putty did, so buying it seems the better way to go.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1466  

Dick's Gadget Warehouse. And how to submit your video to the show.

A viewer’s video always comes with an email, like this one: 

HI Dick and Chad, this is from my gadget warehouse. Its a item your younger audience may have never seen before and it has a nice style to it. thanks guys i enjoy your show. 

Carl Goodhall of LasVegas 

Carl’s Video:  http://youtu.be/V9I2qO26FcI 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1466  

We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show. 

Here’s what we’re looking: Your home shoot 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 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! 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 will now be awarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and some piece of crap. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!  

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv 

Letter of the week: (Fits in perfectly as Chad winds up his 'Stretchy Month of April Theme.")

Here's a real odd ball stretchy item.

Museum Putty!   Looks just like silly putty but it's used in

1) Earthquake country to stick breakable things down to they don't topple in the tremor

2) Museums to keep people from knocking over that priceless Ming vase

3) Theaters to keep items from falling off of trays etc & spoiling the ambiance of the show.

The Container Store has the original stuff: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/collections/display/cubesCases?productId=10007847

Amazon has it also but they call it QuakeHold museum putty.  Same stuff.

My folks who live in LA use it to keep knickknacks from falling off of shelves during earthquakes.

It really does work and, I don't know how they  do it, but it doesn't leave a grease mark on the item or where you stuck it.  It also comes off clean & can be reused until it gets too dirty.  It holds so strong that you might even be able to keep Charlie in one place!

Cya, Lil, AKA Dr. Mom