The Giz Wiz Show 1626 for June 9th 2017, Our 109th Independent Production.

LOOKING FOR THE GADGETS FOR THE OUTDOORS I SHOWED ON WORLD NEWS NOW? THEY'RE ALL HERE: http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/world-news-now-abc/

And for The Giz Show ---

We're now 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. 

NEVER FUMBLE AROUND IN THE DARK AGAIN

Someone recently showed me one of this LED light switches and I thought it was worthwhile enough to talk about on the show. I bought two of them on Amazon, branded the Aid & Prep Battery Operated Lights. This looks like a thick light switch, but it only turns on the LED's that are inside the switch! So no electrician needed. These are ideal for use as a closet light, emergency light or even to mount down low on a wall so young kids can easy turn them on or off. You could even use it as a short-term work like for fixing things in dark places, like under the sink. Batteries included, but not necessarily batteries that aren't dead, (One of my two units had working batteries, the other didn't.) So you can have light where you need it, this (advertised as NEW) version has magnets on the back as well as Velcro tape (which I didn't test - I put mine on a metal door) There are slots in the back also so you can hang the switch on a wall with screw (not included.)

Watch this week's show is see a second version of the switch called the Tech Tools Night Light. It's works the same, but it's not nearly as bright. It might be good to light a room while you find the wired light switch to turn on. Even though LED's use very little power I don't think you want to leave this on all night as a regular night light. They're on Amazon.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/1buWNrqJN5Q

Amazon Link: Battery Operated Closet Light (Brighter One) - http://amzn.to/2rQB5nZ - 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.

In the video of this week's show you'll see me demonstrate a much dimmer version of the battery operated light switch. Some people might actually like that better. It's also powered by three AAA batteries which are not included. That one is here:

TechTools Night Light (Less Bright One.) Unavailable now.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1626

We 'drown' a new $32 waterproof Bluetooth Speaker. How did it do?

Something different this week --- Letter of the week in the middle of the show.

Justin's email is about the Hydro-Beat Illumination Shower Radio. Message: This is a really nice and cheap, portable, waterproof bluetooth speaker with FM radio and a strong suction cup for use on a boat, or in the shower. I listen to the Tech Guy podcast every week and it's too bad I didn't find this little speaker before Leo went on vacation. This speaker would have been perfect for him. Anyhow, keep the gadgets coming. -justin

http://amzn.to/2s5jyJ7 - 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.

I almost bought the speaker Justin was talking about, but didn't. Read on to see why I bought the BassPal Shower Speaker. This is a really decent Bluetooth speaker for the money. It's waterproof and you'll see in this week's video it keeps playing almost underwater. But the volume is reduced when it's filled with water, no surprise there! It's on sale under two different names on Amazon, as of 6/6/17. One is $7 cheaper than the other and the specs read the same. (Link below.) Reviews on Amazon are very good too. Although there were only 27 reviews when we wrote this, it got 4.8 out of 5 stars. Here are most of features, via Amazon:

- Waterproof IP67, Shockproof, Dustproof - Built-in Microphone for hands-free speakerphone call - 650mAh battery for up to 5-6 hours of playtime, 3 hours charging time. After 15 minutes without any operation since you powered on, the product will shut down automatically. Rated waterproof level IPX7, It is proved that it can be immerged into 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, and still keep in good condition. Guaranteed safe use in the shower, in the rain, by the pool or on a boat. Detachable suction cup offers you convenience to attach it to anywhere you want. Bluetooth 4.0 with connection range up to 30 feet. Frequency Response: 120Hz-22 Khz. $31.99.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/K2TWFVgBc9A 

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2rQuQRq - 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.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1626

Taking A New Gadget For A Spin

The world seems to be going nuts over Fidget Spinners. I live in NYC and now I can buy them on a street corner for about $5 or sometimes cheaper. I decided to take the plunge about 5 or 6 weeks ago when I saw LED Spinners as a 'deal of the day' on http://www.13deals.com/. It took a fair of time for them to arrive, but I do like them. It's a passing fad though. I played with them for about 3 days and now I'm not sure where I put them. But kids seem to love them a lot more because there are endless videos on YouTube with kids doing all sort of tricks with them. I'm not sure if 13deals has them any more, but not too worry. You can find dozens of them on Amazon, for anywhere from under two bucks up to more than $50, so shop carefully! 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/hPochK7JKoc

Fidget Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZJq9Cw_E60

Spinners on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2r2THhl - 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.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1626

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Gadget For His Theme For June.

Chad came up with a different idea for the June theme. He polled our loyal Patreon members and had them vote of a type of store Chad where should buy all the gadgets for the month of June. That way listeners would have a better chance of finding the same item Chad reviewed at a store near them. Our Patreon members picked “Large Drug Store Chains” as the place Chad should find Cheap Gadgets for June. So at his local CVS Chad bought the:

Vicks Smart Tempature Wireless Digital Thermometer. Chad likes this device a lot! Just download the app and you'll be able to take and track temperature readings for the entire family. (I believe Chad said it keeps records for up to four different people.) The thermometer uses Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to your smartphone. It doesn't have a readout of its own, but it sends a large digital readout to your phone screen. There's a feature called Fever InSight that changes your phone screen from green to yellow to red, depending on the temperature readout. And boy, is it fast. Watch this week's video of the show to see how fast it recorded Chad's temperature. The company says “Professionally accurate readings in 8 seconds.” It can be set for “For oral, rectal or underarm use.” There's only one very flexible probe permanently attached to the thermometer, but you do get a storage cap and battery. Best of all, it's inexpensive. Chad said he paid a bit under $20 at his local CVS, but it under $14 on Amazon. And it's Amazon Prime, so free 2-day shipping for Prime Members.

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2sho2gk -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.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1626

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

This week Chad asked if he could do the Gadget Warehouse segment because he had a very timely gadget of the past. I never know till we record the show what Chad is going to talk about. Well Chad was right about timely. When we recorded this show there was much talk about Apple's new Home Pod Speaker. Well, guess what? Chad's gadget was the Apple Hi-Fi Home Stereo for iPod. It was something he won in a drawing. So forget all the news about the new Apple speaker, it turns out Apple made a very high end speaker system back in 2006, 11 years before the new one they introduced in 2017. Even though we heard the music Chad played on the speaker system through his label mic, it sounded great! The iPod HiFi works either from household AC current or 6 D batteries. But wait, there's more. The dock has custom adapters to fit all dockable iPods (of 2006) at the top of the unit to give it a custom look.  There's also a mini audio-in plug for non-dockable models such as the shuffle. It came with an Apple Remote to control music playback from anywhere in a room. And Chad said it could play at very high volume, too high to demonstrate without creating audio problems for his studio equipment. Inside are 3 hi-fi speakers, and even though it was considered a portable, it wasn't tiny like the new Home Pod speaker. Dimensions of Chad Apple Stereo are 6.6 inches (167.6 mm) high x 17.0 inches (431.8 mm) wide and 6.9 inches (175.3 mm) deep. And it weighed 14.5 pounds (6.6 kg) w/o batteries and 16.7 pounds (7.6 kg) with. And guess what, the 2006 model sold for $349.99, the same as the one just introduced in 2017. And back then $349.99 was a lot more than today's $349.99.  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1626

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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 (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