PIX, a backpack with an animated LED screen on the back!

I saw this backpack from across the ballroom floor and immediately ran over to it! Pix says this is the first LED backpack where you can display images, animations, widgets and even play games on its digital screen. By syncing it with your IOS/Android smartphone you can write, draw and literally play right on your backpack. No, it's not high res! The LED screen has 16x20 resolution which allows for 16.5 million color combinations. The flexible, water-repellent fabric makes it resistant to water splashes and major physical impact. In their online video it shows someone stepping on it and spraying a water hose on it without any ill effects. It powered by any power bank that has a 2A output, but one is not included. It's fits laps up to 15” and has 10 compartments for all your gear. A 10,000 mAh capacity is enough to power the Pix Backpack for 5-6 hours of nonstop usage. MSRP is $259.00, but a child's version is coming which doesn't look that much smaller, with a MSRP of $159.00. Yes, there are other backpack's with screen on them, but this one seemed very well constructed and very bright.

Company website: www.pix.style

See or hear this complete Giz Wiz Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1762

Segway Ninebot introduces a lot of new products. We thought the S-Pod was really strange!

From the Segway website.Segway Ninebot has a lot of product introductions at the show. Totally different is the Segway S-Pod, said to be a first-class smart transporting pod for enclosed campuses such as airports, theme parks and malls. The self-balancing vehicle is operated by an intuitive assistive navigation panel. With an adaptive center-of-gravity automatic control system, passengers can easily adjust the speed - up to 24 mph - by handling the knob to change the center of gravity in the pod. The S-Pod spins and rotates by the center smoothly for directional changes. The rider does not need to physically lean forward and back to accelerate or slow down. Also, since the “brake” is placed by the shift of the center of gravity, it eliminates the possibility of the S-Pod tipping over in any situation. Price TBA.

Ninebot eScooter is the first eScooter introduced by Ninebot intended for mid to long range travel purposes. There are five models. The E200P, the premium edition, provides 62.1 mph top speed with up to 124 miles range. Ninebot Kids KickScooters are tailor made to fit the needs of kids and teens. It is lightweight and foldable. Much more info is available at the company website.

See the entire new line here: http://www.segway.com/.

See or hear this full show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1762 

‘BRNKL Mate’ - a new product to merge the smart home with the smart boat.

Barnacle Systems Inc, which they spell BRNKL, announced their BRNKL Mate at CES. It's designed to merge the world of the ‘smart home’ with the ‘smart boat’ by allowing third-party accessories such as Samsung SmartThings to integrate into your boat’s security and monitoring system. In addition to communicating with wireless Smart Home devices, the BRNKL Mate provides a connection to the NMEA 2000 network on your boat to allow for the collection of engine data, tank levels, and weather station data. For users that commonly go offshore, the BRNKL Mate can also be connected to approved satellite transceivers for remote monitoring. Now available for pre-order for $245USD ($295CDN). When the BRNKL Mate is used as a stand-alone device it requires no subscription and communicates to users’ smartphones via Bluetooth to provide real time monitoring of your systems while you’re on your boat. The data is then stored in the cloud and can be reviewed again at anytime whether you’re at your boat, at home, or halfway around the world. However BRNKL Mate can connect to Barnacle Systems’ flagship product that provides security and monitoring onboard your boat. Connected to your BRNKL, the BRNKL Mate expands the capabilities of your existing system to include the new sensors, NMEA 2000 data, satellite communications and add a second camera and allows users to check on their vessel remotely from their smartphone, tablet, or computer. With an onboard camera for security and built-in sensors to monitor a vessel’s critical systems. $895 USD ($1245CDN). The BRNKL device is cellular-based and provides global coverage under their $29/mo or $300/yr subscription plans.

BRNKL CAM AT THEIR FLOATING OFFICE: https://youtu.be/RsiW3ppOrgs

This boat didn't have a Brnkl alarm, but watch the video to see how big Sea Lions can be! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=987493584942818

Company website: www.BRNKL.io

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1762

Chad meets some Playful Coding Critters.

Chad visits Learning Resources, a leader in screen-free coding robots for kids 4 to 9 years of age. The first gadgets he sees are the Coding Critters. They use simple buttons sized for little hands, preschoolers learn early STEM concepts through 100% screen-free coding challenges! These pets are ready to code right out of the box! (Probably with a bit of adult help at first, send the Coding Critters on their storybook adventures, as you code them to play fetch, hide and seek, and more. As kids learn they can even design their own challenges! MSRP of Coding Critter Playsets are $39.99.

Info on the Coding Critics: https://www.learningresources.com/coding-critters-your-first-coding-friends

But wait, there's more!

For kids 5 and older, there's the new Botley 2.0. The brand new six-direction remote programmer allows kids to control Botley’s movement as he rolls back, forth, and now diagonally as well. It also includes interactive features, like a “Botley Says” game and secret codes to program a colorful light show with Botley’s light sensor, or turn Botley into a train, ghost, police car and more. Using up to four Botley 2.0s in one room, siblings, friends or students can conduct multiplayer races and competitions, perfect for larger families and classroom activities.

Botley 2.0 will be available in different sets for purchase starting in April 2020 for a suggested retail price of $64.99-$84.99 (depending on the set).

All the Botley Kits: https://www.learningresources.com/shop/collections/botley  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1762

OUR BEST OF 2019 Giz Wiz Show! #1761 Show of January 9, 2019 Independent Show #243

I love this gadget! It's a flashlight. It's a lantern. And it's a mini faux fireplace too! Turn the lantern on by pulling up on the handles. The distinctive dancing flame is attractive, and looks like a real flame. This flickering candle effect lantern is a great alternative to candle lanterns. It’s a 360 degree LED outdoor camping lantern, also a flashlight. There is a foldaway handle you can use to hang our lantern from a branch, beam or tent-pole. You can also use it in hand as your flashlight. The company says it's water resistant. Under $13. As you'll see in the video I made, I love these lanterns!! Part of description says solar charging, but mine does not have that. I think that's a mistake as none of the photos show a solar panel. But since I paid less than $13, I wouldn't expect solar charging too. Price is for one lantern. The photo shows the 3 different ways the lantern can light.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2t9SUBJ - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Chad's September theme was “Cheap gadgets from Alibaba"!

One of his gadgets was the Mini USB Automatic Compression Vacuum Pump Sealer Clamp Strip Bags Kitchen Tool Fresh Food Rod Strip Kitchen Tool With Bag. We both liked this device.

Here's what Alibaba says about it: Mini USB Automatic Compression Vacuum Pump Sealer Clamp Strip Bags Kitchen Tool. Specifications: Small size, easy to carry, easy to use. Supported sealed bag, waterproof, moisture proof, moldproof. It is a good choice for food storage. Vacuum Pump Sealer. Material: ABS + PC Battery: 800mAh Battery (Included) Vacuum: 40-50K. It's under $5, but will take a few weeks for delivery.

And Chad's take: The box arrived crushed but it seems the contents –1 x Vacuum Pump Sealer - 5 x Storage Bags - 1 x USB Cable & 1 x Sealing Clip contents were all fine. Watch that week's show to see the Vacuum Pump in action. It actually does work, with certain limitations. Chad will explain in his 'cheap gadget' spot.

Alibaba link:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000044900201.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.4e924c4d9fhR2b

Chad's video is in this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1749  

See or here this entire 'Best Of' Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761