Back to Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Viewer Video!

A surprise Gadget Warehouse Gadget this week!

Rob Han visiting from Chicago showed up at Gizneyland with his TOMYTRONIC PAC MAN! It's came out in 1981 and Rob said it cost somehow around $10-15. Back then the PAC MAN game played, just the one game. As far as skill levels go, there's a swich for either "basic" or "expert". It has some pretty awful music and a few sound effects. Surprisingly Rob told me he put in batteries and wow, it still works. Rob gave us a mini demo of the TOMYTRONIC PAC MAN on the show, so be sure to watch! And if you're interested in one, there are a lot of them for sale on ebay. But beware, some prices range to over $100. Or as low as $20 for ones that don't work.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1462   

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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! (The prizes might be limited to the US & Canada, depending on TWiT's budget.) But no matter where you live, think of the fame you'll enjoy! 

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1462   (This show link goes live late 4/2/14)

Letter of the week:

Hey Dick, OMGRed, Mix master Jason, and chocolate covered fire Jeff, 

After hearing your mention of the bacon alarm I instantly thought I had heard this before. I did look around for previous mentions and found links on MANY tech sites. Unfortunately all seem to link back to Mathematica and they have removed the page. Super sad face. This even cooked a piece of bacon for "real!" I don't know if it was ever made as it seems a wooden box that cooks bacon while you are still asleep might not be the best idea. This Is Why I'm Broke link for pics.

http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/bacon-alarm-clock

~ Matt in Lexington, KY

The Giz Wiz, Week of March 26th, Netcast 1461

Need a PC with a lot of features, but don’t have a lot of space.

This new 21.5" Lenovo ThinkCentre E93z offers a lot in little space. It's available with an optional 10-point capacitive touch panel ideal for Windows 8/8.1. Another option is the UltraFlex Stand, designed specifically for the E93z. It combines full-range height, tilt, swivel, and recline mode to maximize ergonomics. This space-saving design reduces the amount of space needed by up to 70 percent, compared to traditional tower desktops with an external display. (Some models of the E93z do not have UltraFlex Stand, so be sure to check.) At 48 mm, the E93z is more than 25% thinner than Lenovo’s previous generation all-in-one (AIO), making it one of the thinnest available. HDMI In & Out ports let you use the full HD 1080p display for any HDMI-enabled device. Also built into the clever design is a full HD 1080p webcam and digital array microphone. The keyboard has noise suppression technology, which you can turn on or off. Additionally, and I like this a lot, the webcam includes a physical on/off cover to alleviate any concerns about privacy. You can move data quickly between your PC and other devices with superspeed USB 3.0, which enables file transfer up to 10 times faster than previous USB technologies. Connect to other audio- and video- devices with WiFi Direct and Bluetooth. Finally, there's a DVD read/write drive, plus wireless keyboard and mouse. All you need to do to get this computer system up and running is to plug in the single power cord! Prices start a bit under $800. The final price will depend on the many options. If it’s not included, I would definitely select the UltraFlex Stand, which added just $15 to the price at the Lenovo website. I also selected the newest Intel i7 chip. It makes my E93z really zoom along! Mine came with Windows 8.0, but it now ships with Windows 8.1. Here’s a direct link to the E93z page on the Lenovo website. Check their site often because they have amazing sales events. 

http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops/thinkcentre/edge-series-all-in-ones/edge-93z/ 

Here's a Giz Wiz one minute look at the features of the E93z: 

http://youtu.be/L3I0OfPj08w

 See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1461  

Be sure to read this week's Dick's Gadget Warehouse at the bottom of this page. You can compare the specs of an "all-in-one" computer from 14 years ago.

Giz Wiz Video of the Week. Another Great Way To Make Coffee.

Over the years of doing the Giz Wiz Leo Laporte & I have talked about lots of coffee makers. (We’ll find out what OMGChad uses to make coffee when we record this episode.) But in all those years I never reviewed a K-cup maker. That changes with my review of the Keurig Elite K45 Single Cup Coffee Maker. It’s selling just under $100 (MSRP $120) so it’s probably the most affordably priced Keurig kitchen brewing system. (There’s an under $80 version, but it’s more for dorms and doesn’t offer many features.) You can use K-Cups to brew coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. The Keurig Elite K45 offers three-cup sizes and a programmable Auto On/Off switch. The 48 oz. removable water reservoir holds up to 8 cups before refilling. The 3 cup-size options are 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz. And the machine can accommodate travel mugs. You can make a really great coffee fast, without the mess of grinding coffee beans and loading grounds into coffee filters. Although making a cup costs about 50-55 cents, that’s way lower than the cost of a coffee house brew. And you have the convenience of brewing it instantly in your own kitchen. Also the variety of coffees and other drinks is huge. The Keurig system offers hundreds of K-Cups varieties. There are companies making 95% biodegradable K-cups, and you can even buy a reusable K-cup and use your own ground beans. My favorite so far is Green Mountain Dark Magic Extra bold. The Elite 45 is available in black, white and blue at $99.99. 

Company website: www.keurig.com  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1461 

This Week's Viewer Video - And How To Submit Yours!

The guy who sent this video in is a little bit weird. He said it’s his “Gadget Warehouse Video”, but yet it’s a product that is still very current. As a matter of fact, it’s something I’ve been looking at online, because I was thinking of buying it. So I’m glad to be able to see it in action. 

As I watched this video when it first arrived, I thought there’s something familiar about that face on screen. I’m sure it will come to me (or maybe you) as to where I’ve seen him before. 

Here’s his succinct email in its entirety: 

I made a video for the show. :) Use it. IF YOU DARE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB-LhZCOTRg&feature=youtu.be

The email was unsigned. (Which could be the sign of an unstable person.)

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1461  

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

Chad's Crappy Corner! But it might be good. (Might be.)

As Chad winds up his "all food related" gadgets for March on The Giz Wiz, here are descriptions of his final two items. Then after we record this show, I’ll add what Chad thought about them after putting them to the fire! 

The S'More To Love S'More Maker offers you a fast, easy way to make that delicious marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker treat right in your oven, toaster oven or on your grill. No more dirty campfires and burnt marshmallows - this innovative treat-maker allows you to make 4 tasty S'mores in just minutes. Sweet creamy marshmallow, crunchy toasted Graham Crackers and soft melted chocolate. Mmmm! Simply stack, lock and place on your grill or in your oven and be the hit of any barbecue, picnic or party. Innovative culinary tools are the Cuisinart signature. $11.98 and it’s on Amazon Prime, so free shipping if you’re a member. 

Chad’s take on this item: It's well made and a nice buy for less than $12.00. And it doesn't make a big mess because of the clever design. A taste test by the staff earlier in the day showed the results were good. 

And Chad’s 2^nd item: Fred and Friends Wake-Up Cup. This is heat sensitive porcelain coffee cup that perks you up as the heat sensitive ink responds to hot steaming coffee. It’s $9 and it’s also on Amazon Prime. Plus full color gift box packaging. 

Chad’s take on this item: It's a cute idea, and it does work. Another side benefit. If the sleepy eyes come back while there's still coffee in the cup, you know it's gotten cold. A nice gift for the coffee drinker at a decent price.  

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1461