The Giz Wiz Show 1671, April 20th 2018, Independent Show #154

The Giz Wiz Show recently started it's 13th year! The first show was February 20th, 2006. And soon (May 2018) we'll be entering our 4th year of Independent Production!

That's thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters! If it wasn't for them the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/. You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help. (As we can say honestly, asking for more Patreon supporters is not to make more money, it helps us lose less money doing The Giz Wiz. Thanks!)

We start this week's show with the amazing Glowforge 3D Laser Printer. The company launched their next-generation laser cutter at MakerCon New York in September 2015, and it was so wildly successful it set a crowd funding record, hitting $27.9 million in 30 days!

Here's some info from the company:

Glowforge's wireless desktop laser makes it simple for designers, artists, and makers to take products directly from digital design to reality. Unlike 3D printers that build objects out of plastic, Glowforge uses lasers to print products out of durable and beautiful materials like wood, leather, acrylic, paper and fabric. A sleek and efficient design makes this industrial-grade technology beautiful and affordable, and a friendly cloud-based app makes it easy to create amazing things with Glowforge. ---I saw this printer in action on 4/19/18 when they duplicated my logo and printed it as a hardwood puzzle in about 5 minutes. And that was the time from loading the design into a computer to my holding the finished product in my hand. On that day they told me they will have some exciting news about a new Glowforge 3D Laser printer and new accessories that will upload to their webite on Monday, April 23rd, 2018. Be sure to check out my video and the one on the company website: 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/Cr_RVH2M0_w 

Company website & their video: https://glowforge.com/ 

They'll be major announcements on the company website starting Monday, April 23, 2018 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1671

The pickets in my backyard fence are so dried out people can look through them from the building behind us. So when I saw the Amazon listing for the ColourTree Artificial Hedges Faux Ivy Leaves Fence Privacy Screen Panels I thought they would be a perfect solution. First, here are some the features listed on Amazon: Densest ivy coverage on market, made to be realistic and natural, made of commercial standard UV stablized PE, fade resistant, UV resistant, water resistant. 99% blockage provides no see-through full privacy, covered by high density ivy and the additional mesh backing, both are tightly attached to the mesh panel, significantly prevent leaves from falling.  

And The Giz Wiz take: These panels are not really that great. Some of the ivy fell off as I was just unrolling the screen out of the box. And 99% blockage? I'd say mine was more like 70% blockage after I installed it on the fence. It would be way too much trouble to take it down and send it back, but we came up in a decent solution. Watch the video to see what we did. If I were rating it on Amazon, I'd give it 2.5 stars.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/nakGvPAh4VQ

I bought the 39" X 98" $39.99 and the 39" X 138" $59.99, but there are many other options. 

Many size and prices options on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HemEDp As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1671  

Smart Phone Amplifier with built-in battery.

Mo Torres, who buys almost as many gadgets as I do, reported on one of these 'near field' speakers a few months back. You lay your smart phone on top and it amplifies the music quite loudly, depending on the volume on your phone. But his speaker required 3 AA batteries. I liked the idea of the 'near field' speaker and so when I saw one with a built-in rechargeable battery, I bought it. First here's just a bit of what Amazon says about these speakers: Smartphones and tablets are great but not when it comes to playing music. Fortunately, you no longer have to rely on your smartphone or tablet when you're on the go. With BoomTouch speakers you can bust out the jams with no special connectors or battery draining Bluetooth.

And Dick's Take: Well, this definitely was a defective speaker. Turning it on immediately gave off a loud hum. And the blue LED on the back would blind you if you were trying to relax with some soft music. It made all sort of other weird sounds too. I didn't return it because I thought people should see exactly what I received from Amazon. View the Giz Wiz video to see, and more importantly hear the speaker in action or just watch the video which is part of this week's show.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/FMNXuctVMR4 

Thumbs Up UK Touch Speaker Boom Box With built in battery: https://amzn.to/2qKqcCd As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1671

Chad Crappy Corner With A Non-Crappy Gadget You Just Might Want.

Chad polled our loyal Patreon members and asked them to vote on his cheap theme for April. Their choice? Cheap Home Security Gadgets. This week Chad's pick is the really neat and not crappy at all! It's the WyzeCam. 

Here's some info from the company: WyzeCam delivers fast, clear, live stream footage direct to your smartphone via the Wyze App (iOS and Android), day or night. With motion and sound detection you can receive an alert anytime your WyzeCam detects sound and motion, and view up to 14 days of saved alert videos for free - no monthly fees or subscription required. Plus, you can add a microSD card (sold separately) to enable continuous recording and schedule custom time lapse videos, and use 2-way audio to talk and listen through your WyzeCam. Use the Wyze App to manage and view multiple cameras, share your cameras with other users, view alert videos, and record and share photos and videos directly from the app. With its small size, magnetic base, and flexible 3-axis design, the WyzeCam can go anywhere you need it. And the cost? Just $20 + $5 shipping! 

And Chad's take? Chad loves his WyzeCam. It can mounted in many convenient ways, has software that lets you do a dozen things or more and hey it was just $25! Be sure to watch Chad's video in this week's show to see the camera and many of its features in action! 

http://www.wyzecam.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1671

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

Our viewer video arrived with this email: Hello Dick and Chad,

I love you show and have been watching for about 2 years now. I was at my brother's having dinner a few weeks ago and remembered he had a few toys from our childhood in one of the back rooms and how you guys are always needing videos, so I decided to do my part and share them with you!  

I hope you enjoy! Tonia aka Nilba 

https://youtu.be/CCj7siec6sE

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1671   

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

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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.

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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.

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My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): 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.

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Post them on YouTube and send us 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’ll earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you'll also get an autographed 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live, I canemail an autographed to you Alfred E. Neuman photo if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it's a copy. We've tested it out and fans say they look terrific!

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

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Letter of the week:  (Repeated because Nintendo labs will be available to buy on 4/20/19)

Dan Wakerhauser says there's an interesting gadget from Nintendo. You don't usually cover video games, but it seems like it would be right up your alley since you cover a lot of tech toys.

I'd love to see your reaction to it. (Nintendo Labo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Bd3HUMkyU