The Giz Wiz, Week of January 29, 2014, Netcast 1453

A great compact Bluetooth keybard. Small enough for travel, but enough to type on easily.

The new ZAGGkeys Universal Bluetooth keyboard is a versatile keyboard because you can use it with just about any Bluetooth device you have, be it smart phone or tablet. The protective case doubles as a stand, so everything you need is in one device. It doesn’t matter if you prefer Apple, Android, or even Linux, the ZAGGkeys Universal's ergonomic curved shape provides a comfortable way to type without using those tiny on-screen keys. Island-style keys, similar to those of traditional keyboards, provided enough room so I was able to type almost typo-free. Zagg says their Universal keyboard features a built-in battery that should last up to three months of normal use between charges. That means you can take it pretty much anywhere for work or play and not worry about being away from power. The keyboard sports two LEDs. One for Bluetooth pairing and one for the CAP LOCK. Having an easy way to know when a keyboard is in CAP mode is great, and many keyboards just let you guess. MSRP is $69.99, but it sells for less online. 

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The Giz Wiz Video of the Week - Use fire to charge your USB devices!

This unique 'camping stove pot' is more than a way to boil water. It contains a lightweight thermoelectric generator that converts heat into DC electrical power. In other words when you’re boiling water for tea or coffee, you can be charging your cell phone or other USB device at the same time. Just add cold water to the pot and place it on the campfire or even a stove, and the PowerPot will start powering up your mobile electronics. It comes equipped with a standard USB (5V) port, making it compatible most devices you already own. So your device is safely away from the heat, it comes with three feet of heavy-duty, flame-resistant wire. The built-in solid-state voltage regulator provides up to 5W of power to charge your high-tech devices. I tried the PowerPot on my stove at home. In about 10 seconds the green charging light lit. I plugged in my Galaxy S4 phone and it immediately went into charging mode. So this is not only good for use on a camping trip, but also during a power outage at home. (Assuming you don’t have an electric stove.) The company says their PowerPot will charge cell phones, GPS units, iPods, and lithium ion batteries or will run speakers, lights, fans, or other low-power USB appliances. (Remember we’re talking USB, not AC.) $149.00

http://www.thepowerpot.com/

The Giz Wiz puts the PowerPot to the test! http://youtu.be/ULqEsc6d5Kw

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Charge your smart phone 4 to 7 times...tablets 1 to 2 times.

The Anker Astro Pro (2^nd Gen)contains a 15000mAh battery pack, enough power to charge smartphones 4 to 7 times and tablets 1 to 2 times. The Astro Pro (2^nd Gen) itself charges in 4 to 5 hours via the included AC adapter. Anker builds in a microchip, which identifies your mobile device and enables the maximum charging speed. Instead of a few LED’s which sort of tells you the power status, like many external batteries have, the Astro Pro (2nd Gen), contains a digital LCD screen. This digital display gives you the exact percentage of power level, charging status and voltage selection. It’s about the size of a small paperback book and features a sleek black aluminum case. It ships with a travel case. Also available is the Astro Pro2 (2^nd Gen). It has similar features, but packs even more power with a 20,000 mAh battery. Remember these units are new from Anker and are called Gen 2, or 2^nd Generation. (Earlier editions of the Astro Pro and Astro Pro2 are still featured on line.) The Astro Pro (2^nd Gen) and the Astro Pro2 (2^nd Gen) are available.

Outdated links removed.

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Chad's Crap. But sometimes it's good. Even very good!

Chad’s crap was not a gadget, but a very unique soap, namely Man Hands Soap! It’s from, no, not Procter & Gamble, but ManHands Soap, the manly scented soap company. It's the place to find unique, manly scents captured in a manly crafted bar. And to the company’s credit, their soaps are tested on dudes, not animals! These fun, original soap bars could make great gifts for the person who has everything. A few of the many strange scents include bacon, cash, dill pickle, race day, sweet cigar, topsoil, and zombie repellent! Chad actually got some volunteers who were visiting TWiT to try to guess a few of the various scents, and they guessed two out of the three them. That means the soaps pretty much smell like what the label says. Check them out at the ManHands Soap Company, because as they say on their website, it just makes "scents"! A bar of ManHands soap is $6.95. See all the fragrances at

www.manhandssoap.com

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1453

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

Before we tell you how to submit your video, here’s a bit about Jack Freedom’s video. His gadget is the SONY NET MD WALKMAN MZ-S1.

I did a little web search and found some background on his device. It first appeared in the marketplace about 2002, so that makes it about a dozen years old. It originally sold for about $300, but if you do a web search you can find used ones for about $30 to $40. The most amazing thing I read about this Sony device is that you can get up to 54 hours of playback with 1 "AA" battery. 

Here’s the link to Jack Freedom’s viewer video: 

Http://www.vimeo.com/83338062

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We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show.  

Here’s what we’re looking: Your home shoot 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 professionally made videos please. It makes us look even worse than we are. 

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 something you just bought too.   

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! 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 be rewarded with some sort of prize. Like an autographed MAD magazine and maybe even 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