The Giz Wiz, Week of April 16th, 2014, Show #1464

Three gadgets from the Spring Pepcom event in NYC. 

Meet Kolibree: The World’s 1^st Connected Electric Toothbrush. At the Pepcom event in NYC, I saw the Kolibree Bluetooth Toothbrush. (Used for brushing your white teeth, not the blue tooth.) Here’s the company says: “Why Does A Connected Toothbrush Matter? Today, we brush our teeth without knowing how well we're brushing. Are we reaching all the zones in our mouth? Are we brushing long enough? While we might get feedback from our dentist during our once or twice a year visits, how do we know whether we’re brushing correctly the rest of the time? Kolibree has combined the most advanced sensor technology which DETECTS WHERE YOU'VE BRUSHED AND WHETHER YOU'RE MISSING IMPORTANT PARTS OF YOUR MOUTH - with fun games to keep adults and kids motivated to brush properly. The result? Important usage data means that you have the FEEDBACK to brush better, spending less money on expensive but avoidable dental procedures.” And now back to me. I had no idea how people would respond to the Kolibree Bluetooth Toothbrush which will cost $99. But I found out a few days after I saw it at Pepcom. When it went on Kickstarter, Kolibree received 2/3 of their $70,000 goal in the first four days. 300 people already preordered one of 500 Bluetooth brushes available at $99, even though they’ll have to wait until October, 2014 to get it. I guess people really do like the idea of brushing their teeth and following the results via their iOS or Android devices. 

Company website: www.kolibree.com   Kickstarter page:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2134904849/kolibree-the-worlds-first-connected-electric-tooth 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1464 

Giz Wiz Video of the Week -- You can't hide from the 360-degree HD Camera.

Here’s another new gadget that’s going to be heading over to Kickstarter. The 360 HD Camera is from a company called Giroptic. The three camera, three microphone 360 HD Camera is so new, it hasn’t launched it’s website yet. But in doing a Goggle search, it seem like this company had an earlier, much less streamed-lined version, which they decided not pursue. So the video we shot at Pepcom shows the new streamlined version. The guy at the show said they’ll be offering it for $299.00 once it goes live on Kickstarter. The PR contact told me they’d let me know when they get their 360 HD Camera website on line. And he also thought the Kickstarter online date was most likely May 20^th, 2014. 

Giz Wiz Video:   http://youtu.be/3hZF9varyAA 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1464 

RCA comes up with a gadget that combines the old with the new.

At the Pepcom event I was surprised to see RCA. It seems they’ve taken a giant back step to other companies when it comes to producing entertainment devices. On display was the RCA Internet Music System (Model RCS13101E). This is a strange all-in-one bookshelf system ideal for small spaces like a bedroom or a dorm room. It mixes old tech, like the built in CD player and FM tuner with newer technology like a 7” Android tablet to tune into your favorite Internet music and video sites. It also has 2.1 Bluetooth and WiFi. The 7” touch screen tablet uses the slightly outdated Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) OS. But you can easily use it to listen to your Android music player or watch movie/TVs, and play games with Google Play. Here are a few of the Tech Specs. (Keep in mind this entire RCA Internet Music System sells for just $178 at Wal-Mart) 1.2GHz Dual Core processor / 1GB of system memory / 800 x 400 resolution (yes, it’s low), virtual keyboard, built-in 802.11b/g/n WiFi, 0.3MP webcam, 4GB on-board storage memory, plus additional memory via SD card slot, two 20 watt stereo speakers, HDMI out and a remote control. The 7” tablet can be used as a stand-alone device and RCA says you’ll get up to 4 hours of run time on a full charge. It’s only at Wal-Mart for now at $178.00. (Out of the 12 reviews there, 11 are very positive. – as of 4/14/14) 

Wal-Mart link: http://bit.ly/1gD3r99 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1464 

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

Chad comes up with two “winners” for this week’s show using his theme for April – Things That Stretch! 

First up is The Beerbelly. Here’s a bit of what Amazon says about it: The Beerbelly lets drink what you want, when you want, where you want, with no hassles and for less money. Drink your favorite beverage at the movies, the ballgame, anywhere. The Beerbelly consists of 2 parts; the sling, and the bladder. The sling is designed to fit up users up to 6-feet 8-inch and up to a 40-inch waist. Made of neoprene, the sling insulates and feels like skin to the touch under your clothes. The bladder holds up to 80 oz. of your beverage of choice and fits in a custom shaped pouch in the sling. When worn under your clothes you just look like a dude with a beerbelly, or pregnant if you're a lady. You can use the Beerbelly to hold either cold or hot beverages. The bladder has a wide mouth opening for adding ice for Margaritas, and to simplify cleaning. $23.99.  And Chad's take? Chat thought is was a decent gadget for the money, but you need to put it on properly. He also said there was a slight taste from the bladder where he put the water, but in time it would (hopefully) go away. Here's the Amazon link:  

The BeerBelly 200-001 The 80-Ounce Beer Belly -As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Next up, is the FingerPrint. Here’s what Amazon says about it: Are your books all tatty with dog ears? Do you still lose your place when you nod off in the middle of a sentence? Just snap FingerPrint right around your book and point it to the last word you read. It stretches to fit any size book from "Dick and Jane" to "War and Peace". Use it as a handy book strap too. In Green, Blue-Gray, and Orange assorted, FingerPrint is molded from durable silicone rubber. $6.88 each. And Chad’s take? Chad said it worked well. He showed us how it worked on a paperback book and then on a large sized coffee table book. It worked fine, even right down to the finger pointing to a single word. Just to be sure it didn't stretch out of shape after stretching it to fit on the big coffee table book, Chad tried it again on the much smaller paperback book, and it still fit fine. Strangely, if you select a particular color for your FingerPrint, one of them costs like $9. But if you'll take a color at random, it's only $6.88.  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1464 

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

This is most likely the earliest dated gadget we’re ever shown on The Giz Wiz. 

First, here’s the email that we received along with the link to the video: 

Since you mentioned being low on Gadget Warehouse videos, here's one I recorded late last year but never got around to submitting till now. This video was inspired by your mention of the Swingline Stapler on an early 2013 episode. It's about a Bates wire stapler, an earlier stapler technology that preceded the Swingline. It belonged to the estate of a late friend of the family and acquired it a few years ago. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stUBvS2sLHI&feature=c4-overview&list=UUajZ77sjP9VNFjJMysMSDCA 

-Charles Bunnell in Berkeley, Ca. 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1464 

                                                       -----

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: Bob Cole

 Subject: Elio car

Message: Hi Dick have a look at this similar car from Renault

http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/electric-vehicles/twizy/twizy/

love the show.

Bob From Leuchers Scotland.

P.s it's pronounced loo kers.

Here's the Elio car link: www.eliomotors.com