The Giz Wiz, Week of February 12, 2012, Netcast 1403

Toy Fair 2013 Comes To The Big Apple!

LITE BRIX from CRA-Z-ART is an innovative building system that combines traditional brick building construction with the fun of LEDs! The light up bricks and connectors let kids "build with lights." Although you can make up stuff to build from any kit, the LITE BRIX themes include: Robots, Helicopters, Race Cars, Jet Fighters, Motorcycles, Space Shuttles, Lumi-Port Airport, Fire Rescue and Extreme City Buildings. The largest Extreme City Building kit lets you build 3 separate buildings, or combine all the BRIX into one 30” high building. Each set comes with a battery power pack that requires 4 AA’s for power. The power pack itself can be built right into the models. A neat feature is that LITE BRIX are compatible with other brick building systems on the market. So kids can add color and light to models they build by combining kits from different companies like Lego.  It’s designed for children ages six (6) and up, but some early customer reviews online say it’s probably better for older kids because it’s a bit more complicated than some building kits. Kits range in price from about $20 to about $90. They’re available at big toy stores, and online at Amazon. Although Lite Brix was at Toy Fair at the Javits Center, I shot this video at Showstoppers in Vegas where they also had a huge display a month ago.

http://tinyurl.com/ag5j93t

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I heard of Zip Lines, but not Slacklines... Now I have.

Okay, so Leo might order a Zip Line so he can go zipping from one end of the Brick House studio to the other - hanging by his hands. At Toy Fair 2013, I found another way for Leo to get around the studio, a slackline! (I didn’t know about slacklines, did you?) From Gibbon, a major manufacturer of slacklines, here’s an explanation of what slacklining is: 

Slacklining is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing which is low to the ground and usually anchored between two trees.  Originating in the climbing world, slacklining has evolved into a cross trainer, backyard activity and sport all of its own. Slacklining can be traced back to climbing camps in Yosemite during the mid seventies. Climbers would stay there for weeks blazing new routes and in their time on the ground they starting rigging climbing rope to walk across.  They found that the activity improved their core strength, balance and movement for climbing – and was FUN. Gibbon has fueled the next generation of slacklining by making it easy and accessible to everyone. The 2" webbing and ratchet tensioning design make the Gibbon line friendlier to walk on and easier to set up. No additional tools or rigging are needed; just the kit and a couple of trees and you're ready to go. --- You should also buy treewear to protect the trees and your slackline. Amazon has a combo pack with treewear and an instructional DVD for under $17.00. Slacklines start at about $65 to over $100. 

Gibbon has a lot of videos on their website and YouTube. This one shows how to install a slackline in an office. It involves drilling a couple of holes into the floor, but hey at the TWiT Brickhouse, they can do anything! 

http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=388&Itemid=272 

Gibbon on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/aecq5rt 

Gibbon website: www.gibbonslacklines.com 

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The Remote Control Car That Really 'Carries' Your Tunes!

SilverLit has been making remote control models of high-end cars for about two years now. But the latest model adds some very unique features. The iCONNECT Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Bluetooth car comes with RC Tunes. So not only do you have interactive Bluetooth remote control, you can play your tunes through the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. As with their other models, the car is controlled by your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. But this clever vehicle also makes the classic connection between cars and music with “RC Tunes”. Using your own iTunes Library you can play your favorite songs two ways. You can have music play from your iDevice through the model car while you control it, so it’s like playing the radio in your car. Or you can stream music through the speakers in the car as a display item on your desk. But wait, there’s more! The unique gull-wing doors open remotely from your iDevice and headlight, plus signal lights flash to the beat of the music. You can pick custom light shows or pre-configured patterns. When driving the car full gesture tilt control allows you to control by tilting the controller. Digital sound effects straight from Mercedes deliver the rev of the engine and force feedback delivers the rumble of the engine that increases as you go faster (iPhone only). The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG body is crafted with great detail and authenticity features functional headlights, tail lights and even signal lights! App is free for download with purchase. MSRP: $129.99. Age: 8+ Available on the company website now, coming to stores in Spring 2013.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8uqUZqGRok

Their website says “ships 2/18/13 & 10% off if you sign up as a member on the website”

http://shop.silverlit.com/toys/our-latest/interactive-bluetooth-r-c-mercedes-benz-sls-amg.html

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Leo's "Crap From The Sky Mall Catalog!" Pick Of The Week!

Another week with no deliveries from Sky Mall. Part of the problem was that Leo forgot to order some of the crap you all voted on. But it also seems Sky Mall's shipping department isn't in any sort of hurry to send out merchandise that folks order. No need to fret, though. You can still vote on what Leo should buy next! Who knows, maybe Sky Mall will suddenly start shipping their crap promptly the next time!

 

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Gadget Warehouse Time! And it's another interesting viewer's video! (Learn how to submit yours too!)

As usual, our viewer video pick of the week always starts with a letter like this one:

From: George Castro

To: gizwiz@twit.tv   Subject: Video submission

Hi Dick, wanted to put in another video submission. I, like most self respecting geeks, always stay on top the latest tech by purchasing the latest and greatest. This, as Leo fully knows, can be expensive. How does one who is not rich able to do this? Well by reselling your older devices. The best way to resell your old tech is to have the original manuals, cables, software AND of course the original BOXES. Just to show that I not only have a collection of old tech but also have a huge collection of new tech, I submit what should be in any gadget warehouse..... My collection gadget boxes.

Shout out to my girlfriend who put up with my tech love :) Georgiana.

Thanks guys. George Castro NYC

http://youtu.be/l8ZpCM3gwPA 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1403

We love showing videos from our fans! We'd love to show one of yours too, but you need to send it to us first! Here's how:.

Want to be a part of The Giz Wiz Show? Then submit your own video! 

Here's what we're looking for:

Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - in the 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! Do 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.

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!

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look too bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv