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

This week's viewers video takes us back a bit. To the 1980's - when a 'portable' computer weighed 30+ pounds and cost more than $100 - per pound!

As usual, a viewer video always comes in with a little note like this one: 

Hi Jason, 

My name is John Rydberg and I have a gadget warehouse 

video for you guys. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NvwbftrYFs 

Hope you like it, John

For submitting his viewer video John gets an autographed MAD Magazine, a 35 year old Alfred E. Neuman picture from the MAD archives, and some sort of piece of crap from the brick TWiT House.

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, a vintage Alfred E. Neuman picture 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 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1460 

Letter of the week: 

This week’s email contained a press release. Although we normally don’t do press releases on the show, the photo that accompanied this one was a real attention getter, so I thought I’d share a slightly (space saving) edited version. 

Mercier-Jones announces the company will be delivering their first Mercier-Jones Supercraft in May of this year. Michael Mercier, CEO and Co-Founder confirmed that 10 collector's edition will be available as early as May 15th with 50 more units manufactured by October. 

The MSRP of the 2015 Supercraft will be $75,000. Mercier-Jones has designed a high-performance hybrid-electric hovercraft that is positioned to revolutionize personal transportation. The patent-pending directional control system makes the Mercier-Jones hover vehicle safer and easier to operate than conventional hovercraft therefore paving the way to improved search and rescue and even street legal versions in the future. The eco-friendly hybrid powertrain improves performance while reducing environmental impact and noise pollution. With features and designs inspired by the world's elite supercars, the Supercraft is the car of the future you can drive really fast over land, ice, sand, water and everything in between. With top speeds estimated at over 80 MPH and acceleration that will rival its supercar cousins, Mercier-Jones hopes to handily beat the hovercraft land-speed record this summer of 56.25 mph and go after the water-speed record of 86.5 mph. Speed freaks will be interested to know that the Supercraft has 250 pounds of thrust and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.208 which is slightly better than the supersonic B-2 Stealth Spirit at 0.205. 

Current features of the hand built Supercraft include hybrid electric drivetrain; liquid cooled duel rotary engine; alternative fuel conversion packages for diesel, propane, ethanol and natural gas; fly-by-wire control system; carbon-fiber body; light weight chromium alloy frame; halogen lamps; LED running lights; GPS navigation; Android driven cockpit display; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity; hands free phone integration; 4 speaker digital audio system; custom made Formula One inspired seats; refrigerated personal drink wells; 6 color schemes including Gotham Night; customized wood trim packages including teak, walnut and maple; and personalized monograms. 

http://www.mercier-jones.com/

The GIZ WIZ, Week of March 12th, 2014, Show 1459

If you buy a new computer, there’s a good chance you’ll want to keep using the old one, at least for a little while. But, if you have a new computer and have just one monitor, how do you share it with two computers? All you need is a KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch. The one I bought on Amazon is the IOGEAR 2 Port USB Cable KVM Switch with Audio and Mic connections. It’s the model GCS72U that lets you also use two computers with one USB mouse, one keyboard, a set of powered speakers and a microphone. You switch them between the two computers using a manual pushbutton switch located on a wired remote. You can conveniently place the mini-remove anywhere on your desk. Everything you need is in the box when it arrives. There are no additional cables or software needed. You don’t need a power supply either; it’s just plug & play. The 3' long cables are molded-in to simplify setup The IOGEAR supports multiple operating systems including Windows, Sun, and Mac. (Supports Windows XP or higher, Mac OS 9.0 or higher, Sun Solaris 9 or higher.) It took me about five minutes to hookup and it worked fine. Here’s something to be aware if you have a messy desk. One day I couldn’t figure why my computer screen went black. I realized I had dropped something on the monitor switch, which clicked it over to my 2^nd computer, which was off. Just another click and all was restored. It’s Under $26.00. IOGEAR also makes a two-port version without the sound hook-up. That’s under $17.

IOGEAR WEBSITE: http://www.iogear.com/solutions/kvm/?view=2port 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1459

Giz Wiz Video of the Week. A clever stand for your monitor or All-in-one computer.

Satechi makes a lot of very clever devices that are competitively priced. One of the newest is the Satechi F1 Smart Monitor Stand. It’s the perfect companion for your monitor, laptop, or all-in-one computer. It can raise your monitor to a more convenient height via a choice of two preset heights. Raising the screen gives you room underneath to store your keyboard, mouse, etc. At the same time your monitor can be at a better height to reduce eye and neck strain. But wait, there’s more! Built right into the F1 Smart Monitor Stand is four USB 2.0 Ports and Headphone/Microphone Ports. (Yes, USB 3.0 would have been better, but USB 2.0 is still everywhere.) The four USB ports out front make it a breeze to hook up USB flash drives, charge devices, etc. Next to the USB ports are headphone and microphone ports, which is very convenient too. The Smart Monitor Stand's aluminum alloy legs can support devices up to 22lbs according to Satechi. Also included in the box are 2 audio cables - 1 for microphone, 1 for headphones, and a USB cable, provided to connect your computer to the F1 Stand. The 2 aluminum legs are packed out of sight in the packaging, so look for them before you throw out the box. There are also rubber pads to prevent sliding and protect desktop. MSRP is $39.99, but it’s on Amazon for $34.99. (Yes, it was $29.99 when I recored the video, but a day later it went up. It seems as soon as do something on TWiT, the price goes up!) Update - it's back to $29.99! I have no idea what the price will be when you check though. It’s also Prime, so free shipping if you’re an Amazon Prime member. Amazon Link:

Giz Wiz YouTubeVideo: http://youtu.be/iDVd_9ZO8io  

Company website: http://www.satechi.net/index.php/office-1/desk-organizers/smart-monitor-stand 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1459

This neat little gadget is a corker!

This little gadget is pretty clever and it's LED! It's Bottlelight, a rechargeable cork light that can turn a bottle into a lamp. As the place I found it, SuckUK says: "Turn Bottles into Lamps. Don't throw out your empties; transform your bottles into lamps with this rechargeable light. Shaped like a cork with a super bright LED that recharges via USB. Make interesting lights with vintage drinks bottles or create a cozy, improvised table feature. Can also be used outdoors - where the wind will blow out a candle stuck into an old wine bottle." It's real easy to use. The Bottlelight cork cap comes off to reveal a USB charging tip. Just plug it into any USB charger and a red LED comes on to indicate charging. When it goes out, the cork is fully charged. Charge time is about 1 hour and you get about 2.5 hours of burn time. The tip of the Bottlelight, where the LED light is, twists to turn the light on or off. It will be about $15.00 online, and it’s coming shortly. You can sign up to be notified on the company webpage: 

http://www.suck.uk.com/rangeinfo/bottle-light/ 

Rechargeable Bottle Light Video: http://vimeo.com/85918089 

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1459

Chad's Crappy Corner!

This week Chad gadget of the week is the Meal Measure. Sounds like an interesting idea if you keep better track of how much you’re eating. Here’s how Amazon describes it: Meal Measure helps you manage your weight, one portion at a time. It is easy to use and measures your food right on your plate. Meal Measure fits most dinner plates. The cavities of the Meal Measure are labeled vegetable or fruit, starch, and protein. Each Meal measure cavity is one cup at the top with a one-half cup line inside. The protein portion is equal to the size of a deck of cards. Meal Measure follows the USDA My Pyramid serving sizes and is top-rack dishwasher safe. It’s under $9 on Amazon. And what did Chad think of it? Chad thought it was a good idea and filled each compartment more or less as recommended. Actually, he filled one of them to over flowing, so one thing we learn is that you don’t put soup in the Meal Measure. It doesn’t help you actually count calories, but by controlling how much you eat, it’s possible this could help you lose weight. And, as Chad pointed out, it’s available in colors. 

No longer available.

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1459