The Giz Wiz, Week of March 12th, 2013 Show 1407 (of year 8!)

Amplify the sound from you iPod, iPhone, Nano, and Shuffle without batteries or any sort of power.

That’s what you’re supposed to be able to do with the Tembo Trunks Portable MP3 Player Headphone Speaker Amplifiers. I bought a pair on a “Deal of the Day”, website for about $20. Looking closely at the ones I received in my package, I see they don’t bear the Tembo Trunks Elephant Logo show on the company website. So they may be a very early sample, or even a knock-off. But they look exactly like the ones in the company video; unfold the same way, and hold iPod headphones the same way. Basically these are virtually indestructible, dustproof, waterproof and shockproof silicone “speakers”. They’re flexible and perfect for travel. And they don’t require any power. All you need to set them up is to pop them open and insert your flat-faced Apple earbuds into the earbud holder. The music and volume is controlled by your Apple device. The company says it enhances your iPods earphones to 80dB, but when I set mine up, and played music at the loudest volume available, I could hardly hear them. Looking for reviews on Amazon, I found only two. Both people gave them one star and each said in their own words that they just don’t work. And those were people who purchased the real company produced units. (As I said mine could be a knock-off.)  Either way, it seems all three of us are very disappointed in them. Tembo Trunks Portable MP3 Player Headphone Speaker Amplifiers are available in several colors for $39.95 (per pair) here:

http://www.tembotrunks.com/shop/  

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/t5lmnpmiws4  

Here’s the company’s kickstarter video:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tembotrunks/tembo-trunks-earbud-speakers  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1407  (This link goes live late on 3/12/13)

A golf ball that plays music? Well, sort of.

Actually, it's the Matrix Audio QUBE Universal Pocket Speaker. If you play music on this speaker for a friend without letting them see the size of it, they'll tell you they expected to see a much bigger speaker based on the sound. This little speaker is actually slightly smaller than a golf ball and twice the weight. With 3 watts maximum output and something maxtrixaudio calls Passive Vibrating Bass (PVB) technology, you’ll get really decent sound compared to its size. The QUBE is small enough to fit pocket or computer carry case and loud enough to let you enjoy movies on your laptop when you travel. It’s also perfect to listen to music or audio books in the hotel room. The QUBE has a built in rechargeable battery that offers up to 8 hours of continuous playback. You can recharge it via USB in about 2 hours. It comes with a carrying case and a combo cable. A single cable lets you charge the QUBE and hook it to any standard 3.5mm headphone jack. Retail is under $50 and it's available in sliver, black and red. More colors are coming soon. On Amazon, they're under $40. Company website:

http://www.matrixaudio.com/matrix-QUBE-universal-portable-speaker-188.html

Under $38 here: Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2HUKWI/?tag+twnene-20 (TWiT gets credit in you decide to buy, but it doesn't affect your price.)

And here's info on the Bluetooth MatrixAudio One that Leo showed. It's under $80 on the company website, but do a web search for the lowest price:

http://www.matrixaudio.com/matrix-bluetooth-speakers.html

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1407   (This link goes live late on 3/12/13)

Viewer Video of the Week -- And how you can submit your video for the show.

Hi Dick & Leo,

My "I Invented this" Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5qDPFA5FKQ

This huge wheel was the feature of a failed TV show pilot I made here in Australia "Maynard's Wheel Of Whoospie" (pronounced  woooos-pee) it was a tonight show meets The Soup kind of thing in 1995.  Contestants were strapped to The Wheel Of Whoospie and spun around on it to win prizes and couldn't get off till they got a question correct or worse. Thinking back, I have NO idea why this show was not picked up.  The Wheel Of Whoospie was solidly built on wheels to move around a stage or studio and the spindle for the wheel was made from a Chrysler axle.  I kept it in my garage for several years after the TV pilot, using it as a casual talking point e.g.  "yes, I have heard Madonna's new album, but have you seen THE WHEEL IN MY GARAGE".  Eventually, lacking a Gadget Warehouse and after moving house with it several times, I asked if anyone would like it.  A Misstress in Kings Cross, Sydney sent 2 of her "minions" to pick it up and I believe "Maynard's Wheel Of Whoospie"  now enjoys its autumn years as a "Spanish Wheel" somewhere underground, not far from the famous Coke sign in Kings Cross. I really don't need to write any more as you two should have had a lot of funwith this letter already.  One day I spent a hour on "The Wheel Of Whoospie" attempting various tasks. (This first video was the result. And the part that hurt the most is the false start you see during this video.)  I wouldn't say: "every home should have one", but certainly "no dungeon in Kings Cross should be without "Maynard's Wheel Of Whoospie". 

Regards, Maynard  Sydney, Australia

PS: I interviewed Leo shortly after he first started the TWIT Cottage in 2008.

He probably doesn't remember as no Wheel was involved.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/06/10/2270407.htm

http://www.maynard.com.au

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1407   (This link goes live late on 3/12/13)

We'd love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show. Here's what we're looking for:

Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - (four maximum) in the 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! Do 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.

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, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv

Leo's "Crap From The Sky Mall Catalog!" Pick Of The Week!

Today’s Sky Mall Gadget is The All-in-1 Positioning Device for Tablets, Smartphones and Cameras. 

Here’s the description from the Sky Mall Web Site: 

This All-in-One mobile mount for tablets, smartphones and cameras can change shape, grab onto nearly anything and allow users to be hands-free anywhere. Use at the gym, on-the-go (attach to headrest), in the kitchen to display your recipe, in the office, on a bike, on a boat and anywhere you would use a camera tripod. It changes shape, grabs on to nearly anything and allows you to be hands free anywhere. Life-Phorm is a product which can be incorporated into all aspects of day to day activity. It changes shape (or morphs) to conform to whatever situation the user is in. International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award iLouge.com and Best of Show 2012 Finalist. Suggested for ages 15 years old and up. Made of plastic and metal. This is a universal mobile mounting device designed to work on any tablet, smartphone or camera including the iPad and iPhone. $69.99. 

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=204668291&c= 

Leo’s take: It seems to have limited use, it isn’t that easy to set-up and use, and at $70, it's way too pricey. So, it looks like a solid, “don’t buy this” from Leo! But all is not lost, there’s still time to vote on the next gadget Leo should order from Sky Mall!

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1407   (This link goes live late on 3/12/13)

Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse! Vinyl records are back - and I'm ready!

This is warehouse-worthy, but it still sits on one of my audio cabinet shelves. I use it maybe once every couple of years to play on old vinyl record or two. (I'm hanging on to it because I keep reading vinyl is coming back!) It’s the Philips AF877 Turntable from the late 1970’s. (An article on the web says it’s similar to the Grundig PS4000). This was a feature-laden turntable. It had a semi-automatic, DC speed controlled belt drive turntable with pitch control and LED speed display. Touch sensor keys turned the unit on and off and let you select either 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. There’s also an integrated stylus force gauge with a bright green indicator bar. Best price guess was about $400, a lot of money back in 1978 or 79. Here’s a bit info more I found out about the AF877 on the web: This is a rare turntable that has a 3 point floating suspension, DC servo motor with isolation, and speed control from the platter rotation instead of the more common motor feedback. It’s a semi-automatic turntable, with auto shut off and touch reject. Tonearm is low mass, neutral balanced design with low friction bearings. Utilizes opto-interrupter for shutoff detection. There’s cuing, and anti-skate, too. And more specs via www.vinylengine.com:  

The Philips AF877 is an AF087 turntable system with a factory fitted baseboard and lid included. Drive method: belt drive  / Speeds: 33 and 45rpm / Pitch control: +-3% / Wow and flutter: 0.05% / Rumble: 70dB / Mechanical noise: 33dB / Tracking force: 0.5 to 3g / Speed control: electronic / Power: 120-127-220-240V, 50-60Hz, 7W

More great photos here via oaktree vintage.com http://www.oaktreevintage.com/web_photos/Stereo_Turntables_CD/Phillips-877_Stereo_Turntable_collage.jpg

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1407   (This link goes live late on 3/12/13)