Top
About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

Search Giz Wiz Biz
  • Contact Me

    This form will allow you to send a secure email to the owner of this page. Your email address is not logged by this system, but will be attached to the message that is forwarded from this page.
  • Your Name *
  • Your Email *
  • Subject *
  • Message *

Attention: Starting October 1, 2022

If you're using 

www.gizwizbiz.squarespace.com 

please start using:

www.gizwiz.me or www.gizwiz.biz

This site will no longer update as of October 1, 2022.  

   Gadgets I showed on WORLD NEWS NOW are here the new site:            

  https://www.gizwiz.me/world-news-now


(This site uses a very old Squarespace format that has become too unstable. Google has also marked this site: "Not Mobile Friendly". The new site meets Google's mobile standards.)  

Entries from April 1, 2015 - April 30, 2015

Tuesday
Apr072015

The Giz Wiz Show #1513 April 8th, 2015.

It's not a car, but it's something awesome from the 2015 International Auto Show in NYC.

Take your home on the road. 

This American Coach American Eagle motor home seem really well engineered and they certainly make fantastic use of all available space. No, I've never owned a motor home, but I have owned 3 houseboats, so I know a bit about functional use of small spaces. Although this 43’ motor homes with extending sidewalls has some really large spacesl! Here’s how American Coach talks about their newest motor home: 2016 American Eagle sets a new standard in luxury motor coaches that is nothing short of magnificent. Modern design meets impeccable quality, power and technology to inspire every adventure. And now back to me! Actually, it's easier to watch the videos, (both here) to see what American Coach and I are talking about. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/c5pqGfw61mE

Video from the company: http://www.americancoach.com/passion/innovation.asp 

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

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1513   

Tuesday
Apr072015

As seen on TV & on Amazon - Zoomies!

I completely forget Leo had done Zoomies as his gadget of the week a couple of years ago. But I never had a pair to try, so when I saw them on sale I bought a pair of Zoomies to try out for myself. First some hype about them from the web: “Great for bird watching, sporting events, concerts & more. Also great for reading, sewing, crafts, watching TV & more. Zoom 300 ~ 400%. The Zoomies are fairly straightforward to use; just put them on as you would a pair of sunglasses, and adjust the focus with the knobs positioned near the hinge of each temple.  And now back to me. Wow, these are awful. On my pair, the focus knob on one side turns, but hardly moves on the other side, so they’re a pair to adjust. Optical quality is poor. And as you’ll see in the video, the Zoomies reviews on Amazon are terrible. I just checked back to Leo’s review, and he too calls them ‘crap’. But they’re cheaper on Amazon then what Leo paid in case you still want to try them, or buy a pair for your kids – who might think they’re cool (for about 30 minutes). Under $9 and Amazon Prime, so free shipping if you’re a Prime Member. I did not get any accessories with mine.

Giz Wiz Video:  https://youtu.be/1eUtHfsAPGU

Leo’s review two years ago: http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/daily_giz_wiz_gadgets/2013/5/22/leo-finds-a-brand-new-piece-of-crap-for-all-to-share.html

Amazon link:  http://www.amazon.com/As-Seen-On-TV-ZM013124/dp/B00DVQF1F4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428524566&sr=8-1&keywords=zoomies   As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1513  

Tuesday
Apr072015

DJI introduces the Phantom 3 Professional with 4K Camera.

On Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 DJI introduced two brand new, very high tech Phantom 3 Drones. As DJI put it: “Take to the sky and capture your world in beautiful 4K or 1080p HD. The Phantom 3 is an easy to use, fully integrated package with an intelligent system that helps you fly.” --- And yes, you read that right, one of the new models features an intergrated 4K camera. Each of the two new Phantom 3’s have the ability to shoot 12 megpixel still photos too. There are a ton of features like “indoor flying mode” and streaming live 720P video in near-actual time back to your electronic device from up to a mile away. There are so many features; DJI uploaded a YouTube video describing their two new Phantom 3 Drones. The video is about 7 minutes long, but it has some great video in it, plus you’ll learn about all the features. One of the most amazing things at the press event was when they mentioned the prices. There was a sort of gasp from the audience – not because the prices were high – but because I think we all expected to hear significantly higher prices. The 4K Professional Phantom 3 will be $1259, and the Phantom Advanced 1080P model will be &999.00 They’re expected to ship in the next few weeks, so I assume they’ll be delivery early May. You can preorder either one on the company website now.   

 Phantom 3 Demos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jJn7uvqgc0%C2%A0 

DJI Website: http://www.dji.com/ 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1513  

Tuesday
Apr072015

Chad's Crappy Corner and another "food or kitchen gadget"!

Chad’s Theme for April is kitchen gadgets or gadgets that have to do with food.  And Chad’s gadget for this week is the Trudeau bottle opener with a built in cap catcher. Here’s what Target says about: “The is a must have gadget for any home and the perfect gift for any beer lover! Trudeau’s handy home bar accessory is clever and unique as the bottle opener also doubles as a cap catcher. Keep your home or at-home bar clean of stray bottle caps. The patented, Stainless steel opener easily flips off caps of soda or beer bottles and drops them into the container below: holds up to 30 caps at a time!  Soft-touch removable base opens for easy disposal of caps. Bottle tip works to open cans as well. Online it's about $9 on the Target website, but Chad & Jeff found the Trudeau bottle opener at their local Petaluma Target for just $2.93. I don’t know if that’s a good sign or not; that it might be on close-out.

And Chad’s take? Chad loves his opener/bottle cap catcher! He prefers bottles of soda and beer to cans. He told us he has a wall mounted bottle cap remover at his apartment. And the fact that he paid less than $3 made Chad a Happy Camper.

Here the regular link (about $9) at Target:

http://www.target.com/p/trudeau-bottle-opener-with-cap-catcher/-/A-14897940  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1513  

Tuesday
Apr072015

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video.

This week’s viewer video started with this email:

Hey Dick & Chad,

This is from my gadget warehouse that I have loved and can't get rid of, it is the RioVolt PSX100 MP3 CD player, I used to use it all the time for my long commutes and road trips. It ran on a pair of double AA batteries and had a state of the art remote control with it and could read the ID3 tags from the CD's and MP3's.  It even had a firmware upgrade for it.  I bought back in 2000 or 2001 from Circuit City for $150

http://youtu.be/gPTjZr_c2WI 

Thanks, Mike  -   Fort Collins, CO

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1513  

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

Get an autographed copy of  MAD Magazine and a 35 year old Alfred E. Neuman picture, plus a piece of crap from the TwiT Brickhouse if we show your video. Don’t you think you should make a video for us too? Details below. 

We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so let’s go going! 

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 of All Time: 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 our producer, Jeff Needles, 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. You’ll get 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   

Page 1 ... 1 2 3 4