Giz Wiz Show #1531 August 13th, 2015, our 15th Independently Produced Giz Wiz Show!

If you'd like to support us in our independent venture, just click the Patreon link at the top of this page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/. And thank you! 

If the JAM Trance Mini was just another Bluetooth speaker I would have passed it by. But it has some nice things going for it. The full name the company gives it is: JAM Trance Mini Wireless Lightshow Speaker. An LED light show! I like that part. Although many of the 36 LED light party programs that synch with your music will seem similar, I found the Equalizer setting is the best choice if you really want to see the lights move to the beat of your music. The light show is the biggest difference between this and other small Bluetooth speakers. This also features a microphone so you can use it as a speakerphone and of course wireless connectivity with any Bluetooth device in a 30-foot range. If you have a device without Bluetooth, there's an AUX in jack too. Not quite so common are 'voice prompts' ...this speaker tells you what it’s doing (powering on, connecting, etc.). It has a rubberized exterior which JAM says is designed for protection of the device. Battery life is okay. Charge for 3 hours to provide up to 5 hours of play time with lights, about double that without the lights. (But why would you want that?) Best of all, the sound is really decent for it's size and especially for its price. MSRP is $39.99, but I saw it on the Wal-Mart website and the BH Photo website for $29.99! 

Giz Wiz Video:  http://youtu.be/h8m5HpzOe-U

BHPhoto: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1163022&gclid=Cj0KEQjwgLGuBRCqptLsnJCvh-wBEiQAiNRjsRa_G6L1bHCZv19EOrF9ZzFmScirIidPXocMA-lcV_MaAosv8P8HAQ&is=REG&m=Y&Q=&A=details

Company website: http://www.jamaudio.com/jam-trance-mini-wireless-light-show-speaker 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1531 (Goes live Friday 8/14/15) 

What is a StikBot?

Here's a look at Zing’s new Stikbot, which the company says it one of the first-ever social media toys. Here's a bit of the PR pitch, then I'll add my thoughts. “Designed with social media sharing in mind, kids become part of a social community using the Stikbot figure and free, easy-to-use app to create awesome stop-motion videos. Kids can then upload their videos with the #Stikbot hashtag to the Stikbot community to see what others are creating. Stikbot comes with a cool, easy-to pose, robot-like Stikbot figure which sticks to most surfaces. The simple-to-use app snaps individual photos and stitches them together into a film, complete with built-in music and sound effect options. And now back to me! One of the 1^st things I check with a new gadget is the price. A Stikbot is $5 and the app is free. That's sounds reasonable. For $10 you get two Stickbots and a tripod for your smart phone, which I think is a better deal. The suction cups  on the figures work well on a smooth surface, but I don't have the patience to make a video. It's stop motion, so ten pictures equal 1 second of video. However I think kids just might find this a lot fun, especially since they can add music, sound effects and easily share their mini-videos. Here's a two minute tutorial that explains a lot more: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF0Qdx-oaoQ

Company website: http://www.stikbot.toys/

 See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1531 (Goes live Friday 8/14/15)

A pillow you wear as you sleep.

Napping has been shown to increase your productivity by 34%. I saw that on the Internet, so how could it possibly be wrong? Actually, I don't know about 34%, but I certainly do feel better and revitalized after a short nap. And naps bring us to the Ostrich Pillow Mini. It's a pillow designed to be worn as you nap. You can wear it on your hand so you'll be able to place it next your head against a window or wall and nap. Or you can slide it on your arm and rest your head on it on your desk or table to catch a nap. Since it's connected to your arm, you don't have to worry about it falling on the floor as sometimes happens with a loose pillow. The Ostrich Pillow Mini is from the folks who made the original Ostrich Pillow, that big pillow you stick your entire head into, and then part of your arms. That one, when it first came out, cost as much as $90. (That's what Chief TWiT Leo Laporte paid when he bought one for the Giz Wiz Show. This mini one I think makes more sense for travel since the original one really is BIG. The mini sells for $25, but I bought mine when I found it as a 'deal of the day' for $9.99. (I'm not sure I'd pay $25 for it.) But you can watch the video and judge for yourself. Also keep your eyes open for it to be on sale again if you're interested. And I'll Tweet a link if I see it on sale. I subscribe to many 'deal of the day' newsletters, so follow me on Twitter. I'm @thegizwiz. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/d94GRq0cgEs

Looks like you can buy it here for under $12. But I have never bought anything from this company, and I don't see any ratings there.  http://bit.ly/1WkKps4

And here's every version of the full sized Ostrich Pillow, priced from about $100 for the genuine article down to about $15.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ostrich+pillow&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aostrich+pillow As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1531

 

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

Our viewer video this week isn't from anybody's warehouse, but instead is a viewer's review a gadget he thinks we should know about it. Here's his (slightly edited email.)

Dear Dick and Chad,

I am Glen Mo from Hong Kong, China. I am here is to resubmit my video about My Favourite Gadgets on Dick's gadgets warehouse. I want is share my favourite gadget to the Net and all gizwiz viewer. I would like to introduce a gadget which can tidy up your office desk or home PC desk. That is Istick Digital Stationery. In the follow video. I will have a short review/show off on the gadget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h60WVToHIPM

p.s. 1. I had flu that day, so I may not speak well. 2. I am not a native English speaker, so you might have difficulty on understanding my speak.

(YOU SOUND FINE ON THE VIDEO GLEN.)

3. the address for the product on Amazon and EBay

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cyanics-iStick-Multifunction-Organizer-Holder/dp/B007A616RI 

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

EBay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=Istick+Digital+Stationery&_sacat=0

 Looking forward to see my short video. I will try to be watching live on that day and be chatting on chat under the user name of Lenin_mo1917.

 Love, Glen Mo

 See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1531

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! 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.

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.

(Our Favorite) 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 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 a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (Thanks for understanding.) 

ll show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv. 

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Giz Wiz Show #1530 August 6th, 2015, our 14th Independently Produced Giz Wiz

If you'd like to support us in our independent venture, just click the Patreon link at the top of this page here: www.gizwiz.tv. And thank you! 

SWEET SUITE BLOGGER BASH - (took place July, 2015) - Part 2

As I mentioned last week, this event is a lot of fun. Especially this year when they picked Chelsea Piers, which is located right on the Hudson River, as the location. Basically it's a chance to see and play with the toys that companies expect to be big for the holidays.

One of those clever toys is Little Live Pet Cleverkeet, an interactive, singing, talking pet bird! Cleverkeet does many things like a real bird, but he's a lot smarter. After you name your bird, pet him and watch him wake up. He talks, sings, dances, eats, - even burps - and swings. He can even peddle his own wagon what included in the set. Sitting on his special perch, he responds to your voice and you can teach him things to say. He'll let you know when he's hungry so you can feed him. CleverKeet dances to his own built-in music, or play your own tunes and watch him dance to the beat! Sit him on hi special perch and he will swing himself with no assistance from you. You can even detach the perch and carry him around! I didn't get to try this part out, but evidently Cleverkeet has a lot of info stored inside and can answer many questions kids might have. He can record and repeat your messages like other Little Live Pet birds but he does a lot more. Like mash up sentences he's learned to make funny new comments. And what if someone teaches CleverKeet to say something you don't want anyone to hear? There's a reset button to take care of that! The kit includes a CleverKeet bird, mirror, feeding dish, cart, perch and instruction booklet. $59.00 Requires 2 AAA batteries and starter batteries are included. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Coming September, 2015.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/mwDo2sM6gjg

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1530