The Giz Wiz, Week of December 18th 2014, Show # 1498

A very different kind of exercise band.

At a recent Pepcom event I almost passed by a unique gadget thinking it was just another exercise band. But Sean from Huawei, told me why their new TalkBand B1 is different. This exercise band is also a pop-out Bluetooth headset! The integrated Bluetooth earpiece with 1.4 inch OLED display features accept and reject buttons for phone calls. Want to accept a call and talk, push a button and pop-out the Bluetooth earpiece. As an activity tracker it can automatically track steps/distance/calories burned; in sleep tracking mode it automatically tracks sleep time and quality! It’s Bluetooth 4.1 as well as NFC for easy pairing. Another great feature is the built in USB connector for charging; it’s right at the end of the wristband. That means you don’t need to carry any sort of charging adapter. The TalkBand B1 supports IOS and Android and is water resistant and dust-proof (IP57). The company says it can run up to 7 days on a single charge. MSRP $129.99. And it’s Amazon Prime, so free shipping for Prime Members. NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/JJRLgp7uITM  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1498

Disco Lights Ablazing! Just in time for New Year's Eve.

More Flashy Disco Gadgets Invade the Marketplace.

A few months ago Chad showed the Disco Bulb on The Giz Wiz. This bulb, that fits into any lamp socket projects great lighting effects on the walls and ceiling. Chad paid almost $20 for it, but then a viewer found it for about $4 at the link below. About ten of us bought Disco Bulbs at that link. (Be aware that some units are shipped from overseas and takes about a month to be delivered. You can pay a bit more on Amazon and get it delivered much quicker.)

http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Effect-Light-Rotating-Lighting/dp/B00BLVOQB6/ref=pd_cp_hi_2  - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

I liked the Disco Bulb so much I started looking around the Internet for other disco lighting gadgets and I found a very convenient one. While you need a lamp or other light fixture to screw the Disco Bulb into, I found a complete Disco Bulb unit. The TSSS Disco DJ Stage Lighting LED RGB Crystal Light is self-contained. It contains a fixture that holds the disco light, an AC cord, and even a mini-tripod, so it’s ‘plug and play’ – rather, ‘plug and dance’.  

TSSS® Disco DJ Stage Lighting LED RGB Crystal Light DJ Disco KTV Birthday Party Wedding Show Club Pub Bar As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Then I found an even more powerful and versatile disco light. It’s the DMX512 6 LED Disco DJ Stage Lighting LED RGB Crystal Magic Ball Effect Light. It’s described like this: This mini crystal magic ball can be controlled rotation speed, colors and strobe through automatic control or voice control and it is with red, green and blue three colors light. Perfect for BDJs, Bands, Bars, Pubs, Clubs, Roller skating rinks, KTV, Family party, Birthday, celebration, Wedding, Festival, Mall, Store, Shop and other appointed place. (What that means.) It does put out a lot of light and it’s fun to play with using the mini control panel.

DMX512 6 LED Disco DJ Stage Lighting LED RGB Crystal Magic Ball Effect Light DMX light KTV Party As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

ECOMGEAR Disco DJ Stage Lighting LED RGB Crystal Magic Ball DMX light KTV Party As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Also shown in the video is the ION Party Starter Bluetooth Speaker. 

The ION Party Starter is a small Portable Bluetooth Speaker with built-In light show. It’s small enough so you can carry the party anywhere. ION Party Starter contains a full-range speaker that offers colorful beat-sync'd lighting effects that makes any place into a party space. Plus, it's wireless! Connect wirelessly to Party Starter with any Bluetooth music player or phone. Works with iPad, iPhone, iPod, Android devices, and more, via the 3.5mm Aux In port. You'll have a great time dancing to your favorite songs with your friends and family. Be aware that the Party Starter is not as versatile as the other disco gadgets. The other disco light gadgets have spinning, while the Party Starter has stationery lights, but since they pulse with the beat of the music and fade in and out, they still give a great lighting effect. Under $40. 

ION Party Starter Portable Bluetooth Speaker With Built-In Light Show As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1498

A peek ahead to CES 2015 with a jacket unlike any I've ever seen before.

The Visijax Commuter Jacket with turn signals has a total of 23 integrated high intensity LEDs. There are both front (white LEDs) and back (red LEDs), plus motion-activated, self-canceling turn indicators using Visijax’s IMASS® proprietary technology. The jackets use Dupont Teflon-coated rainproof and breathable fabric, all round ventilation. So you don’t have to fumble with controls Visijax offers the convenience of one-touch operation, powered by a USB rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, which when charged can power the jacket for up to 30 hours. The company says that many customers turn on the front and back LEDs even when using the jacket during the day since it makes the wearer more visible in all traffic and all weather conditions. Their proprietary iMASS technology, with its amber flashing indicator lights, enables those around you to see when you are about to turn even when you have two hands on the handle bars. And the gentleman I spoke to an CES Unveiled said: “Just remove the battery pack” and the rest of the jacket, LEDs and all is washable. Price will be about $170. It’s already on AmazonUK, and it will be coming to the US soon. 

See more at: http://www.visijax.com/products/view/productdetails/virtuemart_product_id/3/virtuemart_category_id/1#sthash.Lcc7GAB0.dpuf

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/GWdokBTq0HQ

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1498

Chad's Crappy Corner.

Chad's theme for December is "Themes Revisited". He'll be revisiting earlier themes and showing off some gadgets he and Giz Wiz Producer Jeff Needles didn't find in time. This week Chad's crap goes back to the “things that inflate” theme: 

And his pick is the Smart Air Beds 5 X 1 Inflatable Chair

Here’s what Amazon says about it: •Comes with an AC pump, carry bag and patch kit. •Inflates in about 90 seconds. •Deflates in about 2 minutes and can easily be stored in a closet, trunk of a car, camper or shed. •Matches other Smart Air Beds inflatable furniture. •Can be used as a chair, bed, lounger or recliner. As of 12/18/2014 it’s $45.97 on Amazon and it’s Amazon Prime, so free shipping for Prime Members.  

And Chad’s take?  Chad likes the Smart Air Bed a lot. He showed us that it comes with a very decent electric pump so you can inflate it and even deflate it quickly and easily. As far as the 5 functions of the chair go, Chad could only figure out four. When I re-read the copy from Amazon, they do say 5, but they list just 4 functions. Also Chad pointed out something very important. Under the price on Amazon is a "coupon" button. When you click that it gives you a $10 off coupon, which is reflected immediately in the price. You actually don't get or need a coupon, as long as you remembered to click the coupon button. So at the final price of under $36, Chad thought this was a worthwhile buy.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1498

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

This video came in as a viewer video email. Since we hardly never get those, and since one of the device they talk about is an old tea maker they don’t use anymore, we decided this would fit into our Gadget Warehouse Video Segment.

Here’s the email: 

Hey Dick & Chad,

In episode 1496 Chad was demoing the very nice but expensive tea maker.  I wanted to share the way my wife and I make our tea for considerably less than the $250 unit you were talking about. As always, thank you for providing some of the best entertainment on the internet.

http://youtu.be/0wrzUhDZvvU

-- TSnowCrash 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1498

                                     +++++++++++

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.

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. 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: Ernie MacLauchlan 

Subject: Battery Pack 

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-usb-battery-pack-travel/  

I bought this any like it very much to charge my iPhone

 and iPad When I am away from home. 

Ernie MacLauchlan

Weymouth, Massachusetts

say Hi to Chad?

We, the wife and I watch you guys every week.

Great show.