The Giz Wiz, Week of July 30th, 2013, Netcast 1427

Do you sometimes wish your smart phone had regular USB ports so you can use a flashdrive or even a keyboard?

Well, now with the MicroUSB OTG 3-Port Hub with Smartphone Stand, you can do that easily. The MicroUSB OTG 3-Port Hub allows you to connect 3 different USB devices to many On The Go (OTG) enabled Android devices. Yes, only Android. A nice change from how many times I have to report iOS devices only. If you add a mouse and keyboard to your compatible Android Tablet or phone, it could become a mini portable PC. It works with many micro-B smart phone devices, including the Galaxy S3 and S4. I tried it on my Galaxy S4, and added a keyboard and a flashdrive. But wait, there’s more! In addition to adding USB devices like Flash Drive / USB Card Reader / Mouse, etc., the MicroUSB OTG device acts a stand! Brando calls it Smart Stand Design. Position your phone in vertical, horizontal or even lying viewing positions. It a perfect movie-watching and working stand. The entire device is very small, and very inexpensive. There are no instructions with the device, just what's printed on the box. It says: Samsung Galaxy R, Galaxy S, Galaxy SII, Galaxy SIII, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Xcover, Galaxy Celox, Sony Xperia arc S, Xperia P, Nokia N8 and Nokia oro. It's just $10 at the company website:

http://usb.brando.com/microusb-otg-3-port-hub-with-smartphone-stand_p03242c039d015.html

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1427  

Giz Wiz Video of the Week: Ice Cream in 3 Minutes? See for yourself.

Over the past couple of months, several people emailed to tell me their kids want them to buy ICE CREAM MAGIC, the device “as seen on TV”. They asked if I could please buy one to see if it works. Well, I bought one, and it does work; kind of. There are a lot of steps involved, as you’ll see in my video. In the commercial they throw in ice cubes, but in the instructions, they say ‘crushed ice’ is best. You also need heavy whipping cream, sugar, flavoring, etc. They stress that everything has to cold. The big disappointment in most reviews I read is that you’re making only about 3 ounces of ‘soupy’ – or if you a vivid imagination – ‘soft serve’ ice cream. The whole process will probably take about 10 to 12 minutes, and you have to shake the container continuously for at least 3 minutes. The company recommends additional shaking to make your ice cream firmer. It seems like a lot of work and expense when ice cream on sale can be inexpensive. Also in some of the shots in the commercial, you see a heaping scoop of ice cream. How can that happen? But the kids just might find it fun. Be sure to read the reviews on Amazon. Lots of people have hints on how to get better results using ICE CREAM MAGIC. And be aware, out of 69 reviews, it only averaged 2 stars out of 5 stars. I paid about $12.50 at the link below. It was on Amazon Prime, so it was shipped free quickly.

http://amazon.com/dp/B00B2IWUHA/?tag=twnene-20  

Giz Wiz Makes Ice Cream Video: http://youtu.be/3OQVPzKqQaY

The company offers 6 Packs of Ice Cream Magic and their commercial is here:

www.icecreammagic.com

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1427  

You've heard of a pyramid, but have heard about a Powramid?

The Powramid Power Center and Surge Protector from Accell is ideal for the office conference room. (Or any place you need more outlets.) Placed on top of a conference room table, it provides surge protected power outlets for up to six devices. Typical surge protectors continue to supply power even after they no longer are providing surge protection, but the Powramid automatically stops conducting power once the absorption has reached capacity. It provides 1080 Joules of surge protection and features patented X3 MOV technology for maximum safety to all connected devices. There’s 4 foot 3-prong heavy duty power cord and a green LED power indicator. There's also an illuminated power switch/circuit breaker at the top of the unit. The Powramid Surge Protector is available in black or white. On Amazon it’s available for about $22.00. (There seem to be variations on this device from other companies, but I have the one from Accell.)

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1427  

Leo finds a piece of crap somewhere! (I hope.)

It’s no big secret that Leo is in top physical shape! So it was great that TWiT’s Jeff Needles was able to buy a SKLZ Speed Chute for Leo. (Using Leo’s money, of course.)  The Chute provides excellent resistance training for improved speed, stamina, strength and acceleration. It allows a runner to focus on acceleration and top end speed through progressive resistance and overspeed training. These are all the things Leo excells at! The adjustable belt fits most athletes and rotates 360 degrees with a free motion ring that allows for movement in any direction. The SKLZ Speed Chute measures 54” by 54”. A quick-release belt buckle allows for training with acceleration bursts. It comes with a mesh-faced carrying pouch. To see it in action, you really have to watch the video version of this week’s Giz Wiz. Leo does his best to put the SKLZ Speed Chute through its paces, and actually loses his pants in the process! It’s pretty funny. Bottom line, so to speak, this gadget is probably better for real speed runners who can run fast enough to get it fully airborne.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1427  

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & Another Viewer's Video. Plus how to submit yours!

Our viewer video of the week started with the email below. It's a bit of a cheat, but we're calling it this week's Gadget Warehouse Video, because in a few years, it WILL be warehouse-worthy! But for today, it's cutting edge.

Hi Folks,

I thought I'd submit a little video about my favourite gadget, which is my Solidoodle 2 3D printer.  Video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1scbu3aX1cw&feature=youtu.be

In the video I briefly describe and show the process of producing a raised version of the TWiT logo in ABS plastic.  One thing I forgot to mention in the clip is that the entire print process took about 45 minutes (shown as a time-lapse in the video). 

Thanks for The GizWiz and all the shows on TWiT -- some of the best viewing on any screen these days.

Best, Blair Vessey  / Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1427  

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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 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! 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.

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, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.  

NEW! NEW! NEW! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. It's Leo's way to get rid of all the "crap from Sky Mall" he's collected. So there's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!