Leo told me I should find something in the warehouse that fit right in with a Daily Giz Wiz Show that aired on Christmas Day!

Back to Dick’s Gadget Warehouse, Friday, December 25^th, 2009 Netcast 990

That was the assignment, and I did it! The gadget I found was from 1989, 20 years ago. It was one of the Enesco Treasury of Christmas Ornament  Winter Wonders. But wait there’s more. It has even more names: It’s from the Tree-Top Treasures Hanging Ornament with Motion & Light” line! It is rather elaborate with a train going in one direction, and wooden soldiers turning in the other direction. But the box copy makes it sound even more thrilling! Here it is:

WITH JUST A FLIP OF THE SWITCH, THIS INTRIGUING TOP COMES TO LIFE AND SO WILL YOUR IMAGINATION!  INCREDIBLY, DETAILED, WATCH AS THE SOLDIERS REVOLVE ABOVE THE MOVING TRAIN, AND BRIGHTLY COLORED LIGHTS FLASH ON & OFF. READY TO HANG ANYWHERE AND FASCINATE EVERYONE...UNIQUE ENESCO "WINTER WONDERS" ORNAMENT WILL PROVIDE ENDLESS HOURS OF ENJOYMENT THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON.  EACH ORNAMENT OPERATES SAFELY AND CONVENIENTLY ON FOUR AA BATTERIES. BATTERY PACK IS INCLUDED AND CLEVERLY DESIGNED AS A CHARMING CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKAGE...TWO ORNAMENTS IN ONE.  JUST TURN THE SWITCH ON AND DISCOVER ALL THE ENCHANTMENT OF "WINTER WONDERS"!

The ornament does make a lot of noise when it runs. That could be the 20 year old motor needs oil, or perhaps the noise is supposed to be sound effects of the train. If you must have one, there is (or maybe was) one on Ebay at the link below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TREE-TOP-TREASURES-MOTION-LIGHT-ENESCO-ORNAMENT_W0QQitemZ300370398431QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ef788cdf   $12.99

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw990

Here's a cute puppy that's perfectly house broken!

Thursday, December 24^th, 2009, Netcast 989

WowWee’s made several animated gizmos we’ve talked about on the Daily Giz Wiz over the years. There’s was the growling Gorilla head that had sensors so it followed you as you walked by! And who can forget the short lived Elvis Live, a singing Elvis bust complete with a quivering lip! This time WowWee has created something a little more down to earth. They’re called Sleeping Cuties. I have the Labradoodle Puppy, an adorable, cuddly sleepy pet with a poseable head. He knows when you pick him up and starts to interact. You can also get him to wake up by scratching his head. Pet him and he will curl up, make himself cozy and get ready to fall asleep. Pet him again and he will wake up and uncurl while making gentle slumbering sounds. He also makes baby animal sounds to tell you how happy he is. I think kids will love their Sleeping Cuties. Here are the highlights of this puppy in "his own words". My eyes open and close! I make sleeping animal sounds! Pet me to wake me up or make me sleep! My paws move when you turn my head! I can lift my head and lay it down. I need 4  “AA” size batteries, but I bring them with me. Besides your Sleeping Cutie, you get a User manual, Blanket, and Adoption certificate. Age 3+. The place below sells them, but I have not shopped there. Most major stores with large Toy Departments should carry them too. Under $35.

http://www1.shopping.com/xPO-Wowwee-WowWee-Sleeping-Cuties-Puppy-Labradoole

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw989

This is an easy to set alarm clock. You just talk to it!

Wednesday, December 23^rd, 2009  Netcast 988

It’s the new Moshi Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock. Pushing a button and then just giving a command sets the time of day and alarm time on this small travel alarm clock. A while back we did the Moshi Talking Clock for the home. This travel alarm clock is better. You push a button on the top of the clock and give a command. You can say things like “set time”, “set alarm”, even “temperature”.  The last thing you want to do when you arrive jet-lagged at your destination is try to futz with those confusing hotel alarm clocks or automated wake-up calls. With the Moshi VC Travel Alarm Clock simply say, "Set Alarm…7:30 AM” and wait for confirmation voice. Then you can fall asleep with ease. Something I really like happens when the alarm goes off in the morning. You don’t have to touch a button, just say “snooze” and go back to sleep for another nine minutes! It’s available in four different color options and it’s priced reasonably at $24.95.

http://www.moshilifestyle.com/Product/VoiceControlTravelAlarmClock

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw988  

Here's the link to info on the large size Moshi Talking Clock. You set the large clock by waking it up with "Hello, Moshi". I like the travel clock better, when you wake it by pushing a button. The bigger clock would sometime come on and start talking about it heard a phrase on the radio or TV!

http://gizwizbiz.com/homecurrentdailygizwiz/dgwmarch09.html

The new, official TWiT Podcast Headset!

Turn The Table Tuesday, December 22^nd, 2009, Netcast 987

When TWiT had regular guests in far off locations they often provide them with webcam (currently the Logitech Pro 9000) and a USB headset. They do this so the audio and video quality of TWiT shows meets their high standards. They latest headset they zoomed in on, is the Plantronics Audio Headset 655. It’s for guests to use because it’s true Plug-and-Play. Once connected the headset's dual 40 mm speakers deliver full-range digital audio with a clear treble range and very decent bass. The Audio 655 is constructed with comfortable, cushioned earpieces to block distracting ambient noise. The 655 Headset also features a noise-canceling, full-adjustable boom-style microphone that transmits your voice clearly without the interruption of background noise. This makes the unit ideal for podcasting, Skype and other Internet calls. The headset's Fast Mic Mute technology lets you quickly mute the microphone by simply raising the boom. But wait, there’s more! One of the best things about this new headset is the price. The list price is $59.99, but it often sells for $29.99. There are more details here:

http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/computer/voip-headsets/audio-655A  

Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw987

Hey, could you turn down the volume on your T-shirt???

 The Daily Giz Wiz, Week of December 21, 2009

Monday, December 21st, 2009 Netcast 986

Here’s another unique T-shirt from the folks at Think Geek. (They made the Graphic Equalizer T-Shirt & even the Wi-Fi T-Shirt.) Now there’s the Think Geek Guitar T-Shirt! This t-shirt really lets you play music!  All major chords are recorded from a real electric guitar, and the included magnetic pick allows you to strum just like you would a real guitar. The included mini amp clips to your belt and gets plenty loud. The tone knob on the amp lets you adjust the sound just like a real guitar. The guitar pick is magnetic and stores on the metal grille of the mini-amp. It's a lot of technology for $29.99.

There's a Drums T-Shirt available too. Put your own chest to strike various drums and cymbols. But you'll probably want the kids to play them in their own room after the holiday! It's also under $30. Well, $29.99. 

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/c498/

 Hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw986