The Giz Wiz, Week of July 2nd 2014, Show # 1475

CE Week Comes to New York City. It's kind of a mid-year look at technology.

Meet the TREWGrip Keyboard, the mobile Qwerty Keyboard. 

Every couple of years someone decides they’ve come up with a new break-through design keyboard. Unfortunately, they are often wrong, because people don’t want to learn a whole new system of typing. The latest attempt is called the TREWGrip, and it doesn’t look or work like any keyboard you’ve used. While holding it, you almost feel like you could play “Lady of Spain” because it’s kind of like trying to play an accordion. Unlike an accordion, the center of the keyboard has a grip pad to hold your smart phone or small tablet. You hold the device in your palms with your fingers wrapped around the back where the keyboard is. That’s correct, you do not see your fingers or the keyboard. I am a pretty good touch typist, but this felt so strange I didn’t type any of the letters I thought I was on. Mark at the show said there’s a learning curve, but within an hour you should be able to start typing okay. On the front of the TREWGrip you see a copy of the keys in the back, and the ones you finger, light up. It’s Bluetooth enabled and Mark showed me how the built in gyroscope and accelerometer let you use it as a wireless cursor on a desktop computer. (Assuming it has Bluetooth.) The introduction price is $149, which I think it up there for a mobile keyboard. I doubt if they’ll sell many of the suggested retail of $250. Maybe I’ll be totally wrong and this will be a mega-hit. Maybe. 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/AVZYAi3X2C8 

www.trewgrip.com 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1475

Here's a gadget to make it easy to hold your GoPro Hero 'nice and steady'.

Another new product in the Steadicam line introduced at CES 2014, is making it’s way into the marketplace. Based on the same technology as the award-winning professional Steadicam stabilizing systems used in Hollywood, the CURVE hand-held stabilizer lets you capture smooth, shake-free videos. Specifically for use with GoPro HERO cameras, it’s designed so you can capture action-packed, one-handed shots. The Steadicam CURVE weighs in at a light 8 ounces. Even with its compact form factor, the company says GoPro HERO users can shoot shake-free video using Steadicam’s legendary stabilization technology. There are options to lock the camera to frame and use it as a handgrip for rock-solid performance on the wildest of adventures. The compact handle folds up small enough to fit in a pants pocket. (Yep, a good place to drop in the often-used: “are you happy to see me, or is that a Curve in your pocket”.) Be aware that the company says your GoPro Hero requires the LCD BacPac for correct balance and monitoring. The Curve is available in four colors and sells for under $100. Need we say it? GoPro camera NOT included! 

http://www.steadicamcurve.com/ 

It’s at B&H Photo for $99.99.

Also on Amazon: Steadicam CURVE-BK Curve for GoPro Cameras (Black) As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1475

Two new phones, one the retro "Brick" phone & one a high tech thin model for the home.

The Brick is a phone, well, the size of a brick! Yep, exactly like the ones from the early James Bond movies. So cool back then, so retro now. But looks can be deceiving; this Brick has Bluetooth, so you can use it to take and make calls, which are rarely being relied through your smart phone. (Or, you can even put in a compatible Sim card and use as your portable phone!) The Brick also has SD card slot so you can play music right on The Brick. Built-in also is the classic game of Snake, even a flashlight and back-lit keypad. And it’s camera-free! $69.99 

The 2nd phone in the video is from Motorola. It’s the Motorola IT6, a sort of landline version of the original super-thin Razr phone. This phone is Dect 6.0, has a built-in digital answering machine and backlight keypad. It’s high tech and sexy at the same time. Billed as "Impossibly Thin Design" it measures less than .24 inches at its narrowest point, and the handset is constructed with a real metal frame. A crystal base adds to its unique high tech look. There's a 2.2" diagonal backlit LCD display too. You can store up to 50 names on the caller ID memory and 100 names and numbers in the phonebook. It also saves up to 10 last numbers for redial. The answering machine offers up to 30 minutes of recording time. MSRP: $69.99.

NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/PbEN0q1w1lE  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1475

Chad's Crappy Corner! We do know it's something is do with drinking!

This week Chad's gadget is the first of our "drinking" month gadgets - as voted by you, the fans of the show.

And it is: The "Beast Giant Fist Shaped Drink Kooler"

Here’s what Amazon says about it, which is not much:

Gigantic hulk like fist will keep your drink cold. Made from flesh colored foam, this enormous drink kooler is a lot of fun. Holds any standard can size.

And Chad’s take? Chad likes this. He thinks it makes a great gag gift for not too much money. It does hold a can firmly, but as Chad showed us, a beer bottle will be loose inside the fist. Chad said he thinks it will help keep a drink cold. I can add that it does look funny when you see a person wearing it. The only downside is that there are little pieces of plastic from where the fist was joined together, that sometimes fall off as you're wearing it. Chad said it's not really a problem, but it might be annoying to some people.  

Big Mouth Toys The Beast Giant Fist Shaped Drink Kooler As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1475

Dick's Gadget Warehouse. And how to submit your video to the show.

A viewer's video usually comes with a short email like this one, plus the YouTube link:

Hey Dick/Chad/(insert producer's name here), 

I've just put together a quick video of some of the crap I've collected over the years and have built myself up a cool Gadget Shelf. Here's the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDXn9mU9NKI 

Love the show!  

Kevin (kevindublin in chat)  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1475

                                                                  _+++++++++++   

We’re still looking for Viewer Videos! 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 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 ca 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 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