Giz Wiz Show #1579 for July 15th 2016 - Our 63rd Independent Production!

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show not only continues, not only enters its 2nd year of independent production, but now is nominated as "Best Tech Podcast Of The Year!" If you'd like to support OMGChad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page:  http://www.gizwiz.tv/ You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support.  

This week (and next week too) we cover fun new gadgets and gizmos from The New Products Holiday Gift Guide Event. For openers, how about a real easy to maintain high-tech aquarium.

With its hidden waterline, the biOrb HALO 15 Aquarium MCR is a visually seamless aquarium and features Multi-Color remote controlled lighting. At the touch of a button, your aquarium can be lit by any of the sixteen pre-set colors. You can relax as the aquarium gently fades through the entire spectrum of colors. You can also control the brightness, making these controls a joy to use. The lid closes reassuringly with a magnetic catch and the airline is subtly hidden away in one of the feet at the back of the tank. The biOrb HALO 15 MCR uses the same proven filtration system as the rest of the biOrb range. To maintain your biOrb HALO 15 MCR all you do is simply replace the filter cartridge every four weeks and change a third of the water. For safety and peace of mind, the lights and pump are low voltage and are backed by a 12 month guarantee. The aquarium itself is made from acrylic, which is ten times stronger than glass. You can enjoy all the technology of an advanced aquarium set up, supplied in one box, making the biOrb HALO 15 MCR the perfect aquarium for anyone new to fish keeping. Includes: 4 Gallon Acrylic Aquarium, biOrb 12V Transformer, biOrb Air Pump, Airstone, Ceramic Media (1 pound), Filter cartridge, Water Conditioner 5 ml, Beneficial Bacteria liquid 5 ml, and MCR LED light unit with remote control.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/lHSEyQExgIQ

Amazon Link http://amzn.to/29FDYvj  

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

Company website: http://www.everythingbiorb.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1579

Can your rugged boombox audio system start your car?

This was the first time I learned about DreamWave products, so all the info here is from the spokesperson, the company website and Amazon. The reviews on Amazon about sound quality are very good. -- If your boombox can't start your car, this one can! The Survivor is the world's first and only all-in-one high performance 30W Bluetooth speaker sound system and 400A emergency 12V car battery jump starter. Party with friends and family all day long with its built-in 12,000mAh lithium polymer battery. When it's time to pack it up and your boat or truck won't start, hook up the Survivor to its battery and jump start it right up. The emergency car battery jump starter is powerful enough to start up a 7.0L V8 engine. It also has an ultra-bright 110 lumens LED flashlight  with SOS flash sequence. Rugged construction, IPX5 protection against water/dust/sand/snow. MSRP: $280.00. 

The other Dreamwave device I showed in this video is the TREMOR rugged outdoor bluetooth Speaker. It's a little bigger and heavier. It also has more music output (50 Watts) than the Survivor and 2 Full range, 2 Passive driver, and 2 Tweeters, plus HI-FI digital amplifier, with anti-distortion circuitry. It also has bigger, 20800 mAh battery. The MSRP is $299.99.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ZezpWsPAHAs

Company website: http://www.dreamwaveus.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1579 

How do you make your coffee? Let me count the ways!

Here's a different kind of coffee maker! Gourmia's GC5000 is the first device that can brew any variety of K-Cups, from coffee and tea to hot chocolate, plus all espresso capsules, and it includes a built-in milk frother. Instead of having to choose one brand and system, or purchase one machine for each coffee method, now everyone in the family can have their own cup of coffee, espresso or tea just the way they want it. The Gourmia GC5000 can make coffee, espresso, café latte, cappuccino, and tea. The unit is compatible with the most popular brands, including K-Cup*, Dolce Gusto*, Nespresso*, Lavazza Blue, Mio, and Point*, Caffitaly*, Illy*, and Expressi*. The secret? An interchangeable "CoffeeCart" system that makes using virtually all popular cups and espresso capsules as easy as removing one brand's cartridge mount and popping in another. In addition to the CoffeeCart mounts, the unit also automatically adjusts bar pressure and other elements according to the type of cup or capsule being used. A flip-down side panel opens to provide a 5" milk frother platform. It has an MSRP of $299.99 and will be out in August or September, 2016.(*all those brand names have nothing to do with Gourmia, of course.) 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/lL2roaojWtU

Company website: http://www.gourmia.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1579

Chad's Crappy Corner and another gadget for his July theme.

Chad's new July theme (As voted on by our loyal patrons) is “Cheap Bluetooth Gadgets”! Chad's 3^rd gadget for July is the WONFAST Bluetooth Sunglasses + Free Replaceable 3 pair lens (Yellow,Brown,Clear) - Red frame.

Here are the features listed on Amazon: (We didn't correct any of the grammar.)

Support both headset and hands-free profiles, calling voice and Reporting phone number function when calls coming. Bluetooth 4.1 Music sunglasses ,can listen music, Bluetooth 4.1, Support iPhone iPad iPod Samsung HTC Sony Smart Phone PC Tablet. Auto switch to phone talking mode when making and receiving calls, Support Mp3 can listen music, With Previous/Next Song control, Volume Up/Down control. Made of polarized lenses , it has the function of anti-rays, no glare and good eye health care. Hi-Fi earphones built directly on to the frame, and can be adjusted 270 degree for comfortable fit. $16.88 & Amazon Prime as of 7/14/16 

And Chad's take?

Chad liked these. He even made a video so we could hear the phone audio quality over the Wonfast Bluetooth sunglasses. The audio was okay, but Chad said the music playback was very good. And not only can you flip up the sunglasses lenses, it comes with 3 extra sets in various colors, plus a small screw driver to change them. Chad think these Bluetooth enabled sunglasses were a worthwhile gadget for under $17.00, and I saw several people in the chatroom say they were ordering a pair for themselves. I ordered a pair too. There are available in many different frame colors which you'll see on the Amazon page. When I pointed out that these seemed to be one of the best cheap gadget Chad had reviewed in recent history, Chad added: “Yes, it one of the least crappy things I bought.”

No longer available.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1579

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

Dick's Gadget Warehouse.

This viewer video isn't about an old gadget, but a new one that I bet not many of our fans know about. I certainly never heard of the "Worlds smallest cell phone" (2.4 inch) by Posh Mobile. Here's Jason's video about it. You'll also love his reason for picking “peach” as his phone case color!

From: Jason Dorsey

Subject: "Worlds smallest phone"

https://youtu.be/3DW8Dt9aRqs

Amazon: http://amzn.to/29EVJL7 - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

And a lot more at the company store - $89.99: http://www.poshmobile.com/catalogue/micro-x-s240/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1579

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos!

We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so 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 of All Time: 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 a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (Thanks for understanding.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv

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Letter of the week:  

Hi Dick and Chad!

I remember about a year or two ago there was a running joke on the Giz Wiz about a machine that would record your CD’s to vinyl. I think you even mocked up a photo of what it would look like. 

Anyway, it’s (kind of) not a joke any more.

I went to the National Association of Music Merchandisers (NAMM) show in Nashville recently. I saw lots of music related gadgets and gizmos, but among all the guitars, drums, keyboards, horns, harps and ukuleles, this thing is what I remember. The Vinyl Recorder. It cuts vinyl records, one at a time, from your digital (or analog) recordings!

The device looked so convoluted that I asked the guy at the booth if it was a prototype. He said (sternly) “No”. Actually, he was very nice, but I was fascinated with this thing. They were demonstrating it at the time.

I wish I had shot video of it in operation, but I did mange to snap this photo. The photo on their website shows it with a dark background and “dramatic” lighting, but my photo is what it really looks like.

And speaking of their website, I think it was designed back when vinyl records were the standard! Also, it's translated from German, and the translations are a lot of fun to read. (http://www.vinylrecorder.com/)

The cost of this gadget? A mere $4,000.

Norris Hall

And yes, Norris, a few years ago we did have fun talking about the come-back of vinyl records, and I even created a website for an April Fool Giz Wiz show. It's still online: http://www.digi-vina.com/