The Giz Wiz Show # 1815 – Thursday 1/21/21 Independent Show #294

This is our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we're now going into year 15. If it wasn't for our supporters the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/

This week and next week we look at some gizmos and gadgets from the Virtual 2021 CES Show! First up two gadgets brought about by the raging Covid-19 pandemic!

LG won an Innovation Award for their PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier. It's one of newest parts of their PuriCare lineup with products for the home and commercial spaces. This device features two H13 HEPA filters to prevent up to 99.95 percent of harmful airborne matter. It has DUAL Fans and a patented Respiratory Sensor which allows users to effortlessly breathe pure, filtered air in almost any environment. The sensor detects the cycle and volume of the wearer’s breathing and automatically adjusts the three-speed DUAL Fans accordingly, speeding up when inhaling and slowing down to reduce resistance when exhaling. Extensive ergonomic facial analysis was used to ensure it can fit snugly on most adult faces. The built-in rechargeable 820mAh battery delivers up to eight hours of operation at low speed and two hours on the highest setting. Key components such as filters, inner cover, face guard, ear straps and strap extenders are easy to remove or replace. But wait, there's more! The PuriCare Air Purifier Case features LG’s UVnano sanitization technology to eliminate 99.99 percent of harmful germs in just 30 minutes using UV-C LED lights. The case can also remove moisture from internal components caused by the wearer’s breath, charge the device from empty to full in just two hours and even send a notification to a smartphone via the LG ThinQ app when filters need replacing. It's starting to appear in key regions including Asia and the Middle East and is expected to be available in the US toward the end of the year. But searching the web, I found it at the link below.

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wenn6ZME2k4&feature=emb_logo

Website selling this device for $$$: https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-lg-puricare-mask.html

MaskFone - World's First Face Mask with Integrated Earbuds & Microphone.

MASKFONE says it combines protection, convenience, and technology in one package. It features replaceable PM2.5 and N95/FFP2 filters, a built-in microphone, and earphones, reducing the need to remove your mask in public. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), so the use of masks is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain. MASKFONE was designed to help reduce the need to adjust or remove your face mask to speak on a mobile phone in these situations. With the wireless headset, there's up to 8 hours of playtime while listening to your favorite tunes or taking calls. The says with its powerful bass these headphones provide superior sound quality and feature smart touch controls for convenient use while on the go. MASKFONE is not an FDA approved product and makes no claims of antimicrobial protection, antiviral protection, particulate filtration, or infection prevention or reduction. This product is not intended for use in a medical setting. Check their website for more details. MSRP $49.99 Available now.

https://maskfone.com/  

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxdS0qqcUbA  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815  

Meet Arcade1Up's Infinity Virtual Touchscreen Board Game Table

Chad talks about the latest from Acrade 1, their new Infinity Game Table featuring digital versions of both classic and iconic board games like Hasbro’s Monopoly™, Scrabble™, Trivial Pursuit™, Chutes and Ladders™, Candy Land™, Yahtzee™, puzzles, card games, coloring books, mini-games, comic books, and many more licensed and indie games to be announced in the near future! It will be available in two size options -- 24” and 32”. Both Arcade1Up Infinity Game Table sizes include an HD Touchscreen, personalized dynamic zoom viewing, responsive tactile feedback, Wi-Fi connectivity, online play, and an ever-expanding selection of downloadable games and interactive content via the app store. The price is expected to be about the price of an iPad, $600. For more information on features and games included, visit their website which also has info on their Kickstarter campaign and a way to sign up to be notified about availability!

https://arcade1up.com/products/infinity-game-table

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815 

Do you misplace your eyeglasses often?

Findy by Foxsmart is a way to find them quickly. Said to have the longest range on the market, up to 100 feet, using Bluetooth 5.0 the, Findy glasses finder app works with Android and IOS. The company also says it has the loudest buzzer alarm among Bluetooth trackers at 90db. Since you'll be using the app to find your glasses, the app is cleverly designed with only one active screen and large icons that can be seen without glasses. If you left your glasses outside of the Bluetooth range, you can use the “Last known location” function that shows you the location of your glasses on Google Maps. An nice addition is that each Findy package contains a free adapter that lets you attach the Findy locator to other items you want to track, like keys, bags, laptop, etc. So it can be unseen on the frame of your glasses - they told it will fit 80% of all glasses - it's available in black or transparent. The company also mentions that this device could be used for dementia and Alzheimers patients, families and caregivers. It's under $40.

Company video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B0-UmdDgGY&feature=emb_imp_woyt

Company website: https://www.foxsmart.eu/product/findy-eyeglasses-tracker/  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815  

Chad Discovers "Cold Snap" at Virtual CES 2021.

Cold Snap was a 2021 Innovation Honoree in the Kitchen Gadgets catergory. It looks and functions like a larger version of a K cup machine except it dispenses a frozen treat in about 90 seconds. Additionally, plans for the future will include pods for smoothies, frozen coffees, protein shakes, non-dairy ice cream and even frozen cocktails. The pods have QR codes on top which tells the machine how to prepare the contents. It's said to launch in select locations in the second quarter of 2021 and ship direct to consumers early next year. The price however requires the use of an optional chair to sit in when you hear the price: $1,000. If sales are robust the company said it hopes to eventually bring it down about half that price, but that's still $500, plus the price of the pods, which are estimated to be somewhere in the $2.50 to $3.00 range. The pod containers are aluminum like a soda can so they can be recycled. Chad thought the price was way up there, and OMG, it is. And the machine is said to weigh 50 pounds! Also Chad didn't like the fact that it made ice cream so fast! You see how fast in the video. We finally decided this might be good for a restaurant or an office, but $1,000.00?

http://www.coldsnap.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815

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A Mini Extra --- Chad's Crappy Corner.

On this week's show Chad shows off his VIIZII LED Vase! It was a gift from his mom given to Chad knowing it was a perfect item for The Giz Wiz Show. A vase with 6 built in LED Messages. Chad hated the app that was supposed to allow you make up your own message, but never worked. However, I was just on the company website and read something Chad is probably unaware of. If he thought this crappy because of the app, I just read this: "Battery life 20 hours. Battery is not replaceable at this time".... So you spend $25 for the vase & it doesn't work after 20 hours. You've been warned. More info is on their website:

http://www.viizzii.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815  

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video & Get An Autographed MAD Magazine!

This week and next week in place of our gadget warehouse segment, we look back at some CES gadgets of the past and ask: “How well did they do?”

We start with a product we followed carefully for many CES events, Foldimate!

If you don't know about Foldimate, here's the last video Chad & I did about it for the show. It's from CES 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-liK2RUOnQo&feature=youtu.be

In 2020 Foldimate told me they weren't going to spend money to be at CES and were further developing the finished machine. When I inquired about Foldimate January 2021 after not seeing or hearing anything about them at Virtual CES 2021, I received this email:

Dear Dick:

We had a few potential deals that fell down as the COVID-19 started during Q1/20, and now we’re struggling to locate the funds and partner needed to complete the manufacturing process as we planned originally. We highly appreciate your support and patience!

Given the high uncertainty of our situation, we chose not to post more updates as we really don’t know how it’ll pan out. Though we haven’t given up and are working with a credible investment banker (who believes in our venture and chose to work with us despite the difficulties) to find the best route forward.

Sorry that we don’t have any good news to share, fully understand if you would like your deposit back…

Take care and stay safe,

The FoldiTeam

P.S. Make sure to follow our Blog for periodic progress updates.

Giz Wiz Note: Their blog hasn't been updated since December 2019.

And no, I did not invest in Foldimate. Probably part of a boiler plate reply.

But it seems they raised over $600,000 at Seedinvest: https://www.seedinvest.com/foldimate/bridge?utm_source=cta&utm_medium=foldimate&utm_campaign=pr  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1815

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We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show! 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.
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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.
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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.
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My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): 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.
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Post them on YouTube and send us 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’ll earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you'll also get an autographed 38+ year old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live outside of US, I can autograph an Alfred E. Neuman photo to you, scan it & email you a high res copy if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it's a copy. We've tested it out and fans say they look terrific! If you submitting warehouse videos for a second, third time, etc., you'll get the current issue of MAD as a thank you.

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv  
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Letter of the week:

This week's email from very frequent contributor Mo Torres fits right in with the two Covid-19 masks I found at Virtual CES 2021. Here's Mo's email:

Hey guys

I hope, this is not the future norm.

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igGRz1Efhrk  

Mo