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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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Entries from July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017

Wednesday
Jul192017

The Giz Wiz Show 1632 for July 21st 2017, Our 115th Independent Production. 

We're into our third year of Independent Production thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters! 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/ You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. And thank you for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help.

And now a look at the three final new gadgets the Giz Wiz found at CE Week, a mid-year mini-look at new Consumer Electronics.

 

The 360 Security Camera That Sees All Around Your Car.

 

 

The Waylens Secure360 4G is a revolutionary automotive security camera designed to give drivers unprecedented peace of mind. Waylens Secure360 4G provides a true 360° view of what happens in and around your vehicle, automatically storing imagery to the cloud for on-demand access. Easily monitor your vehicle and its surroundings in real-time and get instant notifications of any event, so that you can know, show and protect what’s important. It will let you know what’s happening in and around your car in real-time from any location (where you have a Wifi or cell connection, depending on the model you own.) It can show evidence of accidents, theft and other events with crystal-clear video. And it can protect your car, your driving record and yourself from threats and misinformation. True 360° Vision Gives You the Total Picture. A WiFi version of the Secure360 should be about $249.95. This camera is not available for purchase yet. It should be out in the fall. The 4G version will be about $349.95 and out Spring, 2018. You can sign up for updates at the company website. 

 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/UqPsc0Rsk7Y 

 

Company Website: https://360.waylens.com/

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1632  

Wednesday
Jul192017

A New Spin On Fidget Spinners

You thought perhaps fidget spinners were on their way out? Well, according to DE World, the parent company of Spin-Tech, we haven't seen the end of 'fidget spinners' yet. At CE Week they were showing a hand spinner that works in conjunction with a double sided suction suction tube to transform a spinner into a phone stand and a phone grip. So when you're done spinning, you have another use for the device. And the company says their Fidget Tech spinner features a concave center cap that sits perfectly on any finger allowing for perfect balance. And that their long lasting ball bearings keeps you spinning far longer - effortlessly spins for at least 2 minutes. But wait, there's more. On the way from Fidget-Tech, as you'll see in the video, are spinners that can also be audio sharing devices, USB sharing devices, and even one that is a flash drive device! The simple versions with be $10 to $20 or so, and the real trick ones haven't been officially priced yet.

Giz Wiz Video:  https://youtu.be/YufUv-e6XBg

 

Company Website: http://www.fidget-tech.com/.

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1632  

Wednesday
Jul192017

Meet the SMARTOO, World's First Mobile Smart Desk

(This device won't be available until December so the info here is via the company) Those who travel for work know that the struggle is real when it comes to finding a comfy place to use your computer. During a flight delay, we witnessed people struggling to work on their laptops by resting them on their laps and knees. We even saw one MacBook get dropped. We wanted to make work more productive and efficient for the frequent traveler which is why we created SMARTOO; the world´s first mobile smart desk that turns your suitcase into a workstation in seconds. It's under $100 which includes a 4200 mAh batery bank that slides right into its own compartment on the SMARTOO travel desk. If you'd like to back this project it's on Indiegogo right now where you can preorder one for a lot less money than suggested retail.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/9OPRhy7h8bs     

Company website: www.smartoodesk.com 

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1632

Wednesday
Jul192017

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Gadget For His Theme For July, 2017

This week Chad compares two high-tech thermostats in his “Gadgets From Major Hardware Stores”, his theme for July. Fortunately, Chad already owned the Nest Thermostat and his house was already equipped with a Ecobee4 thermostat – otherwise he would have spent an astounding $900+ to buy them both! Here's just a little bit about each one, before we see what Chad has to say about them. There is a ton more info online, even at the Amazon links below.

Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation, Stainless Steel, Works with Amazon Alexa

 

Your thermostat controls half your energy bill – more than appliances, more than electronics. So shouldn’t it help you save energy? Independent studies have proven that the Nest Learning Thermostat saved an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. That means that in two years, it can pay for itself. It got 4.6 starts out of 5 stars from an amazing 13,420 reviewers. Also the Nest Learning Thermostat is the first thermostat to get ENERGY STAR certified. $245.00

 

Search the web for the latest version of this.  

 

Ecobee4 With Extra Room Sensor - works with built-in Alexa

 

With built-in Alexa voice service, Ecobee4 can listen to your voice commands and respond. Have it set a timer, read you the news, adjust the temperature, and more. It also comes with a room sensor that helps manage hot and cold spots in your home, delivering comfort in the rooms that matter. And because they can detect occupancy, they can automatically enable the right mode on your Ecobee4 for energy savings when it senses no one is home.4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon from 113 reviewers. $249.00

 

http://amzn.to/2uEOQbu - 

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.

 

And Chad's Take?

 

 Chad liked the idea of the Ecobee4 having an extra room sensor. With the sensor in another room the thermostat will consider two locations before turning heat or AC on or off. But Chad quickly found the remote sensor ran through 2032 batteries really quickly. It got so annoying he stopped using the extra sensor. So now Chad says the two thermostats have almost equal abilities. So which one would he pick if were buying one? They're almost the exact same price, but Chad likes the Nest better. He feels it has a better look, and a better build quality. He also mentioned Nest has been in this business for a long time. The Nest did better in the Amazon ratings too with some 13,420 reviews! Watch this weeks show to hear all about (and see) both thermostats.    

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1632

Wednesday
Jul192017

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

Our short email with a fun viewer video comes from Marcia Veach this week:

It reads: Sent you a Yahtzee handheld game video YouTube link, hoping for Alfred E Newman poster!

 

Marcia Veach

 

Springfield (yes, home of the Simpsons) Oregon

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbaZglvvXu4

 

----Yes, Marcia, we're using your video so you'll get August MAD and one of those 35 year old (getting older and rarer daily) Alfred E. Neuman posters.

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1632 

 

***********************

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.

-

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 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  

 

******************************

Letter of the week:

 

Via Scott Schramm

 

Hey Dick and Chad - long time viewer of the show. Do either of you remember the "original" letters jingle? I haven't heard it in a long time and was wondering if Chad could throw it into rotation with the other jingles? Here is a link to it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=admGQaLTKFw

 

Also here is viewer video submission I made where I talk about a recent purchase from Radio Shack!  (Via the Giz Wiz: Scott, we'll use your viewer radio on our show next week)

 

Thanks! Scott