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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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Entries from February 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015

Wednesday
Feb252015

More fun Toy Fair 2015 Toys!

When I stopped by the Amazing Toys Booth at Toy Fair 2015, I didn't expect to be invited to hop onto a bed of nails. But I was, and I did. I didn't know what to expect, but it was fun, and totally pain-free. You can see it happen in the video that's linked below. Amazing Toys does not sell a bed of nails, but they do sell other amazing things like their new Epic Bubbles. Unlike most of the toys I saw at Toy Fair, which won’t be out until summer or fall, Epic Bubbles are already on Amazon. Here’s what Amazon says about them: “Mind blowing bubbles that vanish in a puff of smoke. Bubbles are cool... but bubbles filled with fog are even cooler! This amazing kits allows you to generate your own fog filled bubbles, and bounce them in the palm of your hand! Just fill the bubble generator with dry ice and warm water, dip the rubber tubing in bubble solution and get ready to make the most epic bubbles you've ever seen. The science of bubbles just got better. Dry ice not included... just in case you were wondering. MSRP $24.99. It’s a couple of bucks cheaper at the Amazon link below.  

Be Amazing Toys Epic Bubbles Jar Science Experiment Kits As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Giz Wiz YouTube Video:  http://youtu.be/1vXARwrTXHU  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1507 

Wednesday
Feb252015

Two Fun Gadgets From ThinkGeek.

Over at the ThinkGeek booth, I learned about two fun gadgets; one already on sale and one that won’t be along until summer. In the video you’ll see the prototype of GoBricks. GoBricks is a building brick compatible system. It can work with many kinds of building bricks like Lego bricks for example. In the kit you'll get two motors, two wheels, two remote controls and a robot 'driver' figure. Basically it lets add motion and control to something you've built. MSRP is under $30, and it’s coming this summer. As of 2/25/15 it was not mentioned on the ThinkGeek website. 

http://www.thinkgeek.com/

The second game, Hoverkraft, is already available. In Hoverkraft players take turns stacking pieces on a platform that levitates. Using magnetic repulsion, the game board defies gravity, seemingly hanging in air. The object is to stack translucent game pieces higher and higher or remove them as the die you toss dictates. The last player to place the final block without causing the platform to tumble wins. Hoverkraft is intended for two players, but it's fun to challenge yourself to build bigger and better structures. And it's a fast game, lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. $29.95 

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1531/ 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/Qk9SodAgnnI 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1507 

Wednesday
Feb252015

http://www.ohioart.com/brands/etch-sketch1What game has remained basically the same for the past 55 years!

Give up, even though there are clues everywhere? Yes, it's Etch-A-Sketch!  

For more than 55 years, the Etch A Sketch has been challenging kids to twist and turn their way to a masterpiece. To make a sketch, simply turn the vertical and horizontal drawing knobs and watch the line appear on the magnetic screen. To erase your doodle and start again, simply shake the toy. Bring it along on a car trip for mess-free fun in the backseat. Over 100 million Etch-A-Sketch units have been sold in those 55 years and it's still going strong. Ohio Art, says Etch-A-Sketch is great for kids ages 4 years and up. It’s available in several different sizes, colors, and prices, from about $10 to $30+, but it works the same it did as when it first came into the marketplace 55 years ago. It was invented in France.  In the video I shot at Toy Fair 2015, you'll see Bryan Lee Madden, a professional artist, who makes a living doing Etch-A-Sketch portraits of people, pets and scenes. You'll even see me accidentally mess up one of his Etch-A-Sketch pictures. Very embarrassing, indeed! 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/XTWQBnte4Tw

Company website: http://www.ohioart.com/brands/etch-sketch

Bryan's website: http://bryanetch.blogspot.com/ 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1507 

Wednesday
Feb252015

Chad's Crappy Corner and his final "survival gadgets" of the month.

Chad’s Theme for Feb is  “survival gadgets” and this week he and producer Jeff Needles find two important ones.

A Time Magazine Invention of the Year winner, LifeStrawcontains no chemicals, no batteries and no moving parts to wear out. It features a high flow rate and weighs only 2oz. It is perfect for the ultra light backpacker, camper, hiker, traveler, boy scout, hunter or for emergencies. Unlike many similar filters on the market today, LifeStraw has met EPA standards for water filtration in independent testing. LifeStraw has been used around the world under extreme conditions for humanitarian relief. Does not filter chemicals, salt, viruses, heavy metals, taste. Please NOTE: It takes roughly 3-5 seconds of sucking to start the flow of water through the filter. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/?tag=059b-20 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And Chad’s take?  As a joke I said our producer Jeff Needles had gone down to the dirty river in Petaluma and filled a bottle with water for Chad to test the LifeStraw on. Turns out Jeff really had done that!! You'll see Jeff doing it in the video version of this show. And you will also see Chad drinking a bit of that yucky water as people in the studio and in the chatroom say: "Don't do it!". Chad survived on air, but no one knows if he's going to be totally fine in a few hours. However, as Chad said, if you were stuck with no water at all, you actually would take a chance and drink from a dirty river or other doubtful source if you had a LifeStraw. 

WARNING! Drinking the kind of water found in contaminated waters like the Petaluma River is definitely not recommended! TWiT insisted Chad get tests to make sure he didn't intake anything he shouldn't have in his body!

S.O.S. Rations Emergency 3600 Calorie Food Bar - 3 Day / 72 Hour Package with 5 Year Shelf Life. Perfect for anyone in the process of building a disaster / emergency kit. The SOS Emergency Food Rations are US Coast Guard approved and has a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture. Content: Each package contains 9 delicious bars providing 410 calories per bar totaling over 3600 calories per package. Non-thirst provoking formula offers maximum survival capacity with drinking water restriction under all environmental conditions. Directions: Eat three food bars per person per day. Use for famine relief and in emergency situations caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, civil unrest and other natural disasters. $9.25 & Amazon Prime as of 2/26/15

http://www.amazon.com/S-O-S-Rations-Emergency-Calorie-Food/dp/B004MF41LI/ref=pd_sim_sg_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=15V6EXFS7CBMH1136XEH  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And Chad's take? Although Chad said the outside of the packages were oily, the bars themselves were pretty good. He said eating them was like eating a cookie. Others from the TWiT Brickhouse tried them too and no one objected to the taste. (No one else however volunteered to try the LifeStraw.) I'm going to buy both of these items to keep on my boat for emergencies.)

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1507 

Wednesday
Feb252015

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

On a previous Giz Wiz Show where the viewer video was an old gaming system, Chad asked viewers to send in other viewer videos featuring old gaming systems like the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Kevin in Ohio was watching and sent us a viewer video featuring his NES. He also offers a hint on how to make sure the cartridges played correctly - most of the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tJ-DSYZLaM 

Thanks for the show! -Kevin in Beaverdam-

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1507 

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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. 

                                     +++++++++++  

We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so let’s go going!  

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   

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Letter of the week: 

Name: Jeffrey Nehlsen aka Capt J 

A few weeks back I wrote you about the wine featured on the Sharks Tank. My 75 yo Mother was thrilled not only to hear her son's letter mentioned on such a highly acclaimed podcast but you said my name correctly. Most people mess up a few times, Witness Protection always ends up asking and they issued it.

Last night I was watching and at the end you were talking about 3D all in one's? And one for 2 grand?

Go to Amazon, $799.99 Prime and if you wait a few weeks its will go from a one color printer to three color.

http://www.amazon.com/XYZprinting-Vinci-All-Printer-Print/dp/B00OCG91IK