The Giz Wiz, Week of April 23rd , 2014, Show # 1465

Three finds from the NY International Auto Show. Javits Center, April 18th to 27th, 2014 

There is a big controversy brewing in New York City. Our new mayor, Bill de Blasio, has vowed to get rid of the carriage horses in Central Park by the end of 2014 and replace them with Horseless eCarriages. It was at the 2014 Auto Show that folks got their 1^st look at the proposed Horseless eCarriage. I think it was very well done. According to the press release handed out it at the show "blending early 20th century style, nostalgia and romance with 21st  century eco-technology, comfort and safety, the Horseless eCarriage is the first brass-era-type car in more than a 100 years. The eight-passenger, fully electric prototype balances incredible visual appeal with NHTSA safety standards and society’s desire for clean transportation. The rear-wheel drive, lithium ion battery-powered Horseless eCarriage is an 84-horsepowered vehicle with a top speed of 30 mph and a range of 100 miles." It will be controlled via GPS at about 5 miles per hour while in Central Park. An eCarriage costs about $150,000 to $175,000 to build. As expensive as that sounds, folks in favor of the electric conversion say that over time the eCarriage will be more cost-efficient than maintaining a stable of horses. There are a great many factors involved and a lot of people fighting on both sides. I have no idea which side will prevail, but whatever the solution I think all the horses have been cared for, working or not, and employment should be provided for the current carriage drivers. The Creative Workshop link below goes to the website of the eCarriage design team. 

Giz Wiz Video of the eCarriage:   

http://youtu.be/di-DXZE327I

This is the company that makes the eCarriage. Strangely, last time I checked (4/23/14) all info about it has vanished!

http://www.thecreativeworkshop.com/

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1465  

I never owned a car in my life, but I have owned 26 boats.

I didn’t get in many cars at the 2014 auto show, but I did take a tour of The Storm RV at the show.

The 2015 Fleetwood Storm 30L Class A Motorhome RV is one of the five available models. I like motorhomes because the interior is very like a boat, except for things like hydraulic leveling and heated rear view mirrors. And they’re aren’t many boats where, with the push of a button, you can hydraulically extend the space in the kitchen (galley on a boat) or the master bedroom. (Called the same on a boat.) Also, there’s quite a difference in price. The Storm series from Fleetwood starts a little under $90,000 and goes up to about $140,000 with all the goodies you can add. I'd add $50,000-to-$100,000+ for a boat with a similar interior. And mileage-wise, they’ll better too, getting about 6 to 9 mph, at least that's what I was told. (A boat will get a less than that.) You can can’t buy motorhomes directly from Fleetwood, but you can see all the models at their website. And the can locate a dealer near you if you're interested in exploring RVing further. The sales person at NY Auto Show said the 2015 models will be available starting May, 2014.

www.fleetwoodRV.com 

Here’s a video from a company that has one of them for sale: 

http://youtu.be/u-PZudnZimk 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1465  

My favorite part of the Auto Show - the Concept Cars!

Since I’ve never owned a car and never plan on buying one, why bother going to the auto show? Well, I still love cars, but I especially go to see the “concept cars”. That’s where designers and engineers go crazy and come up with designs that are often so bizarre they’ll never see the light of day – or of production. My favorite Concept Car from the 2014 NY International Auto Show is the Toyota FV2. No steering wheel, you drive it with your body. I doubt very much if we’ll be seeing this on the road anytime soon. Or maybe ever!

Giz Wiz YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/3aTzDnjA0oU

Here’s the Toyota FV2 Concept shown in motion from the Geneva Auto Show: (Not a Giz Wiz Video.) Good part start about 1:20:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnvAO97i1ss&feature=youtu.be

And this concept car has it’s own site with an downloadable app:  

http://fv2.jp/en/ 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1465  

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

Chad starts off with the Sensoria T-Shirt + Heart Rate Monitor. Here's what the company says about it: Let your garment wear you, not the other way around. Our comfortable, smart t-shirt is light and fits the individual in both movement and shape, while providing elasticity and muscle support. Simply snap our HRM and track your performance, make progress, and take advantage of your overall fitness experience. Bluetooth Smart, Over 8 months of battery life, Works with top sports and fitness apps. Compatible apps: Sensoria Fitness (coming soon), Strava, Runtastic, MapMyRun, Endomondo, Runkeeper, PolarBeat, RunMeter. $149.00 

And Chad's take: Chad likes the shirt and the way he can monitor his heartrate on his smart phone. He did point out that the size of his shirt runs toward the small size, so maybe you should order the next larger size than you normally need if you decide to buy one. Also Chad did not like the fact that the shirts don't have sleeves. It look like he felt a bit exposed. (Who knew Chad was so modest.) 

http://store.sensoriafitness.com/sensoria-fitness-t-shirt-heart-rate-monitor/#.U1b0auZdU3c 

Chad’s Gadget #2 this week: Bracketron TruRunner designed to protect you and your iPhone during workouts. Unlike fanny packs you’ve seen or used, the TruRunner is "stretchy" which is why it fits into this month's theme. And it’s stretchy for a reason. The elastic fabric stretches so you can put in all sorts of stuff like small electronics, keys, wallet, etc. And it’s designed to keep those goodies from bouncing around which would annoy, or injure you and maybe even your gadgets too. There's also an elastic strap so the TruRunner will easily stay on your body. But wait, there's more! A reflective tab glows when light shines on it which offers a safety advantage in the dark. And finally there's a waterproof interior to protect your gadgets from moisture. US $19.95, coming in May. 

And Chad’s take? Chad likes this a lot. It doesn't take up much space around your waist and he liked the construction. He also said you could probably carry your phone under your shirt so it wouldn't even be noticed. The pouch is not huge, but big enough for a 5", maybe a 6" smart phone plus perhaps a key and cash.  

http://www.bracketron.com/trurunner#.U1gvM1UVpyI 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1465  

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Viewer Video!

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

Hi Dick and Chad.  :)   I love the show and here is my  "My Favourite Gadget" video.   I hope you guys enjoy the video and play it on the show :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4LWOyAYVG8&feature=youtu.be 

Ashkan Ardalan   aka  Dgtronic 

From the Giz Wiz: Guess What? I could find one on Amazon, but if you must have a Talking Digital Strength Meter, you can still buy one -- a working one, I assume, here! $39.95

http://www.shoebuy.com/carepeutic-digital-talking-hand-grip-exerciser/651947/1332709?cm_mmc=googleproductads_pla-_-none-_-none-_-none  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1465  

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: 

Your Name: Paul Watson "cvtechie"

Subject: Gadget warehouse

Message: Since this month is stretchy on the Giz Wiz, You should pull out a 

stretchArmstrong, if you have one!

From the Giz Wiz: I did a Google search and found this old Stretch Armstrong commercial

from a fun website called RetroJunk: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lw17Pb7Nso