The Giz Wiz, Week of June 25th 2014, Show # 1474

Pepcom Fall NYC Show. 

On June 19, 2014 LEGO introduced LEGO FUSION, a play experience that combines traditional LEGO brick play with familiar app-based game themes. It’s designed for children ages 7 and up, but pretty much everyone should enjoy this new way to play. The LEGO FUSION collection includes four titles: Town Master, Battle Towers, Create & Race and Resort Designer.Each game consists of a distinct set of LEGO bricks, a corresponding free downloadable app and the new FUSION capture plate. It’s the capture plate that’s impressive. It enables a smart phone or tablet’s camera to identify the size and colors of the LEGO bricks that kids, or you, built onto it. It then imports that structure into the game. Once in the game, a series of challenges and interactions requires that players turn away from the device and return to the real world to use their LEGO bricks to build new solutions in order to move game play forward. Each game encourages this back-and-forth between physical and virtual, keeping kids (of every age) engaged in both worlds. Three of the games are coming in August and Resort Designer is coming in the fall. Also beginning in September, LEGO FUSION will incorporate the ability for players to access their digital LEGO creations and game play anywhere. Using their LEGO ID, players can sign in on any compatible device and access their gallery and game play from within the LEGO FUSION app. LEGO FUSION games will be under $35.00. 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/D2dpCr_VxVk

-Company website: http://www.lego.com/en-us/fusion/teaser

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1474 

Too many photos, movies or music files on your tablet or smartphone?

You don’t have to delete them; you can move them off your device and onto a USB drive or flash drive. Then you (and others, if you want) can access them on multiple devices via the new Kingston MobileLite Wireless G2. A big, useful changed that’s built into the new MobileLite Wireless G2 is a 4640 mAh 3.8v battery which you can use for mobile charging. Kingston says you should be able to fully charge most smart phones twice. This increased battery life offers to up to 13 hours of continuous use so can keep yourself or your kids entertained on long trips. Obviously if you also this device to charge your smartphone, it will reduce its playback entertainment time But wait, there’s more. Along with an updated design, Gen2 now includes an Ethernet port allowing it to become a travel router. The USB port also allows 3G dongle support. Photos and videos can be sent directly to the social media platform of choice without the need to connect to a PC. Under $70, and coming July, 2014. 

This YouTube Video of version 1 which explains how the device works. Most of the same features, (plus new ones) apply to Gen2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lZxrHgGZc4 

Company website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INi5IcLXOBw

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1474 

Three Video Creations from Kodak PIXPRO.

From Kodak, who joined with JK Imaging (probably to stay active in the photo business) is producing the PIXPRO Smart Lens cameras. (Yes, they do resemble similar entries from Sony's QX-series, but are lower priced. I have not used either one.) The PIXPRO SL10 and SL25 look like zoom lenses, but they do not attach to a camera body. Instead they feature a spring bracket that quickly attaches them to almost any smartphone. Even though they're physically connected to your Android or iOS phone, they are controlled via Wi-Fi. Once paired, you see the live output of the lens on your connected device. As a matter of fact you can hold the lens in the air to get a better shot while you view what the lens is seeing right on your smart phone screen. You can also control the zoom and shutter button from your smart phone or on the Kodak SL10 or SL25's body itself. You can choose to save the images to your device or to the PIXPRO; each camera features a MicroSD card slot. The PIXPRO SL10 offers a stabilized, 28-280mm equivalent, 10x optical zoom lens. The PIXPRO SL25 has a 25x optical zoom with a 24-600mm equivalent range. Both Smart Lens cameras can also shoot full 1080p video. The SL10 is available now for $229. The SL25 is coming in the fall at $299.  

Company website: http://kodakcamera.jkiltd.com/Americas/ 

Kodak PIXPRO SP1 Digital Action Cam 

The other camera in my video is the PixPro SP1. It lets you capture all your adrenaline filled adventures in full 1080p HD video with an ultra wide-angle lens and 14MP CMOS sensor. Rugged, compact and versatile the PIXPRO SP1 Digital Action Cam easily mounts to helmets, boards, handle bars and just about anything else you can imagine. Waterproof up to 32' and shockproof drop a drop of up to 6.5'. With the built-in wireless connectivity, you can share with your inner circle or social media, or both! But wait, there’s more! 10fps burst shooting in full resolution, face detection, auto exposure, underwater white balance and more. 

Company website: http://kodakcamera.jkiltd.com/Americas/ 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1474

Chad's Crappy Corner! The final gadget in Chad’s theme for June: Things that are inflatable.

And Chad’s Pick?

The Jump-O-Lene. Here’s what Amazon says about it: Made of heavy-duty vinyl for extra durability. Can be used indoor or outdoor. Doubles as a jump pit or ball pit. Provides great exercise while having fun. Built-in ledge for sitting or playing. 120 lb maximum weight limit - 2 children maximum. Dimensions are given as 80” X 27”. So I guess the diameter is 80” and the height is 27”. And what we found:

The Jump-O-Lene looked great on camera. I would have guessed it cost more than the $46 price on Amazon on 6/22/14. As far as play value goes, reviews on Amazon were pretty good. Out of 322 reviews it got 3.5 starts out of 5. But it really is for young kids who don’t weight a lot. Chad got in it, but with a weight limit of 120 pounds, he certainly couldn’t do any jumping. Padre SJ got in too (not with Chad) and said it sent his feet right to the floor. But of course, both are way over the weight limit. And when they say 120 pounds and two kids, I’m assuming it works best with no one body in the Jump-O-Lene is over 60 pounds or so. 

80" x 27" Jump-o-Lene As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1474  

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

On this week’s show we had something different for our Dick’s Gadget Warehouse spot. No, not a viewer’s video, but a Gadget Warehouse gadget from Chad’s own collection of old stuff he doesn’t want to part with. And we learned something new about Chad during this segment. That Chad was, and still is, a master balloon animal maker! It’s how he earned money during school. He can make great balloon animals fast, so be sure to watch the show. And the gadget he used to make his animal balloons quickly is the Pump 1. It’s been around for more than 20 years and it is still on sale, although Chad said some parts from changed from metal to plastic. Here’s a bit more about it from the website where it’s available: “Pump 1 is best suited for birthday parties and anywhere you would be standing in one place and cranking out balloons. The sliding tubes lock together for easy maneuverability. The pump weighs fourteen and one-half pounds and stands 32" high. The Pump 1 is built to last a lifetime. Clean and oil the pump every 8 hours of use is all that is needed to keep Pump 1 working smoothly. It is machined from white PVC plastic with a black plastic base and handle. It comes with a squeeze bottle of "Break Free" lubricant, a nozzle wrench and instructions.” And it’s not inexpensive. It retails for $195.00, but it works amazingly fast as you’ll see in this program. And Chad said you need quality balloons, so he also provided a link to the ones he recommends. 

The Pump 1:  

http://www4.mailordercentral.com/tmyersmagic/prodinfo.asp?number=2000 

Chad’s balloon recommendation: 

http://www4.mailordercentral.com/tmyersmagic/prodinfo.asp?number=260QAT

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1474  

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

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 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! 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