Giz Wiz #1550 December 24th 2015, our 34th Independently Produced Giz Wiz Show.

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Chad & I pick our favorite - and each other's favorite gadgets of 2015!

One of the most amazing gadgets I found in 2015. A full HD camera that shoots 360 degrees, and is just about the size of a small TV remote control!

This week Ricoh announced their new THETA S 360 degree camera. It's the RICOH THETA S, the newest model in the RICOH THETA series of spherical cameras that capture 360-degree scenes that surround the user and later, the viewer. The RICOH THETA S captures high-resolution spherical images of up to nearly 14 megapixels. It can also record spherical video in full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels at 30fps). Maximum recording time of  video with the new model is 25 minutes using the 8GB of built in memory. Ricoh says the better quality images are enabled by an enlarged image sensor and fast F2.0 lenses that allow more light through Ricoh’s proprietary ultra-small twin-lens folded-optical system. Spherical images can be uploaded and share via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and posted to Google Maps, Google+ and YouTube 360°Channel. The application program interface (API) for RICOH THETA S is based on Google-supported Open Spherical Camera API for compatibility with Google’s services. Coinciding with the launch of the RICOH THETA S, Google Maps today introduced the new Google Street View app that allows you to capture and publish your photo spheres instantly to Google Maps for people all over the world to explore. It should be available by November and the MSRP is $349.00. The black camera in the photo is the new S model. More info on it and the lower cost models (shown in color) are on the company website. Several of us at the press event walked over to Times Square to shoot a bit of test video. The video I shot is at the link below. While watching it, use your mouse (or finger) to look all around Times Square. It's pretty amazing.

Comany website: http://www.theta360.com/

Giz Wiz 360 video: https://youtu.be/rKIFeirXfBc  (Don't forget to move all aroud Times Square by moving your mouse over my video.)

It's $349 at Amazon here: (There are cheaper models on Amazon, but they can only record 3 minutes of 360 video. The Theta S can record 25 minutes of 360 video.)

Ricoh Theta S Digital Camera (Black)

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550

A really fun party game for kids -- and adults!

PIE FACE!

Here's what Amazon says about it: The exciting Pie Face game is filled with fun and suspense, and somebody’s bound to get splatted! Just put some delicious whipped cream from home or the wet sponge on the “hand” of this hilarious game unit and start turning the handles. It could go off at any time, so keep your fingers crossed and hope you’re not the one who gets a splat in the face! You score a point for every time you turn the handle without getting pie-faced, and the one who scores 25 points wins. Take some risks and hope for the best in this hilarious Pie Face game! 

The Giz Wiz adds: The folks at the Hasbro booth said the rules aren't written in stone, so you can make-up any game you want. The sponge is included, which you should wet to make it fun, but the whipped cream is not. I think just about anybody will like this game, kids and adult. Great for a party, or to get a party going. It sells for under $20, so for now I wouldn't buy it on Amazon. where it seems to be selling above MSRP. It was about $16 at ToysRUs on 12/21/15. It was about $5 more on Amazon.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/Vv2m7YDxfAk

Toys R Us Link: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=65813436&cp=&parentPage=search 

Watch this episode to see Chad get "pie-faced"!

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550

Chad's Favorite Travel Gadget of 2015. And then my favorite travel gadget.

Chad's travel gadget this week is the 3 Pack Gotoob Humangear 3 Oz Travel Tube. A new TSA Bottle Holder. Here's what Amazon says about it: The translucent bottles collection is great way to travel organized. Carry shampoo, conditioner, soap, condiments, lotions, sunscreen, special sauces, magic potions and much more. The civilized, squeezable travel tube is no drip valve, carry on approved, food safe, soft easy dispensing, rugged. Capacity is 3 fl oz (89 ml). This product is so neat that you can mark the contents, just lift and rotate collar to soap, sun, etc and then snap into place. Has a large opening for easy filling and cleaning food-safe BPA-free. The 3 pack comes in 3 colors: lime green, clear and sky blue. MSRP: $19.99

And Chad's take? Chad loves his GoToob travel tubes. He says they're very well made and have never opened accidentally during travel. It's not mentioned on Amazon, but they also feature a mini-suction cup built into the back of each tube. That means you can quickly mount them on the shower wall with a quick push. There's also a built in ring near the top that lets you indicate what you have in each tube. Chad says he's been using them a lot and he thinks they're great and they were well worth the $20 he paid. He bought his a local drugstore, so you can check your own stores before you order them online. The set Chad bought is the three piece 3 ounce set.  

They're here on Amazon here: 

http://www.amazon.com/Gotoob-Humangear-Travel-Bottle-Holder/dp/B004C1102U/ 

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550 (Goes live late Friday 12/25/15)

I've been using this daily since I found out about it. And it's easy to pack for traveling.

Brush Buddies makes toothbrushes of every description and most of them are very unique. They light up, make sound effects, or feature pop stars like Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. Often the built in sounds run for two minutes, the recommended time you should brush your teeth. They're a great way to get kids to brush their teeth. Brush Buddies also make very inexpensive toothbrushes. One of their newest is their Soniclean Pro One Battery Toothbrush. I'll tell you what the company says about their new brush before I tell you the price. Here it is: “These ergonomically designed toothbrushes feature Soft DuPoint™ bristles that efficiently clean plaque in hard-to-reach places. The on/off button controls sonic vibrations at 30,000 brush strokes per minute, ensuring a thorough and effective clean. Brush heads are replaceable and it is recommended you replace your brush head every 3 months. Batteries are replaceable and included.” Actually it just uses a single AAA battery. Now I bet if I asked you to guess the price after reading the description of their Soniclean Pro One Battery Toothbrush, you would guess far above the MSRP of -------$5.99! As far as the Lady Gaga toothbrush goes, shop around online. I've seen it for sale anywhere from $2 to $15.00! Brush Buddies toothbrushes are available at many drug stores including RiteAid and at the company website, plus many other websites.

http://www.brushbuddies.com/ 

See or hear the original Giz Wiz show this was on: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1527

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550

A gadget I really like and use a lot!

Can you make good pasta in a microwave in just 15 minutes? Fasta Pasta says "yes"! 

Here’s what Amazon says about Fasta Pasta: No waiting for a big pot of water to boil. Cook pasta to al dente perfection in the microwave! Saves time, energy and water. Use with spaghetti, fettuccini, macaroni, lasagna noodles, rotini and more. Will not boil over. Cooks evenly without sticking. Great for dormitory, motorhome, boat or cabin. Dishwasher safe. FDA approved microwaveable material. Made in the USA. And the Giz Wiz take? This worked great. I love pasta and make it at least once a week. But you need to watch the water, stir the pasta, and keep our eye on the clock, or keep tasting the pasta. Fasta Pasta make it really simple! Put in the water and the pasta, set the microwave for 15 minutes and put in the Fasta Pasta.  Worked perfectly. Under $15, and Amazon Prime, so free shipping if you’re a Prime members.  

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/BGF-YLmsiVs  

Company website: www.fastapasta.com    

Amazon Link Microwave Pasta Cooker - The Original Fasta Pasta - No Mess, Sticking or Waiting For Boil  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550 

Water Balloons -- a favorite gadget of mine - and Chad's too.

 People love water balloons. They're fun, mainly in hot weather, but filling them up is a lot of work. Filling takes a while and tying them is the ultimate drag. So a guy name Josh Malone found a way to solve this problem. He has a lot of kids and they like water balloon fights. Josh created a hose attachment called Bunch O Balloons that really streamlines the water balloon making process. It lets you fill up 37 balloons at a time! And ---- (fanfare) automatically ties them! Turns out Josh was not alone in wanting a fast way to make water balloons. He put his Bunch-o-balloons invention on Kickstarter with the idea of raising $10,000. He got his $10,000 in just 12 hours and ended with more than $936, 000! His device is ingenious. It's a hose attachment that holds about 37 balloons. You fill them all in about 30 seconds after you turn on the water. Once filled, turn off the water and shake the balloons a bit to automatically tie them. (Each balloon has an o-ring that seals the balloon as it detaches from the device. So clever! Josh says you can make over 100 water-balloons in under a minute! Although Kickstarter says you should get them August, 2015, I saw them on the Bed, Bath & Beyond, plus the Wal-Mart website. 3 sets, over 100 water-balloons, retails for $12.99. There's an ad online at the link below. They're selling over 100 water-balloons, plus a hose attachment for about $19, including shipping and handling. Since I tried a set on my own, I find you don't need a hose attachment as long as you can conveniently turn the water on and off once you've attached Bunch-o-balloons. My experience making water balloons quickly was good. I was really impressed with how fast they inflated. Two of them were duds, but you few extra balloon to make up for the ones that don't inflate. Reading the reviews on line it seems you need to throw them with ten minutes of inflating them or they start to go flat. I left a lot of mine in the bucket of water and hours later they still seemed fine to me. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/LlWPJg6OXL0

Company commercial:   

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7PMi/bunch-o-balloons-incredible-water-balloon-invention 

Here's an Amazon link where they're under $10.

Zuru Bunch O Balloons, 3 different colors, Fill in 60 Seconds, 100 Total Water Balloons As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1550