The Giz Wiz Show 1613 for March 10th 2017, Our 96th Independent Production.

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show not only continues, but is heading toward the end of its 2nd year of independent production. 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.

This week we show off our final fun finds from Toy Fair 2017!

At Toy Fair 2017 all of the new Schoenhut toy pianos introduced were digital. They make spinets, uprights, mini-baby grand, and even a twin butterfly piano that looks like a baby grand. The new line is being branded as New Tech Learning. So no more 'tinny' piano sounds from a toy piano, they'll sound like real pianos. If the name is familiar, Schoenhut has been producing toy pianos since 1872. The new line includes 25, 30, 37 and even a 61-key digital model. The new line of digital pianos have USB inputs and headphone jacks. They also can record and playback so kids can hear how they sound. The new pianos range in price from about $100 to $500 or so. Every piano has a place to hold a smart phone or digital tablet to make it easy for the child to follow along as they learn. Schoenhut does not make its own app because a spokesman said they are lots of learning apps out therealready. Someone else at Toy Fair said they heard of a piano learning app lets your child follow a lesson and when they're finished, it emails the parents a score showing how well the kid did. That well I guess, if your child's practicing gets to be too much, you can leave the room and still know how they did. Someone else at the Schoenhut display said that the great thing about piano apps is that they teach kids to play piano by making them think they're playing a game!

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/KZjKMA6jaOs

All the various models: http://www.toypianoshop.com/

Company website: www.toypiano.com

And did you know March 18th 2017 is being recognized as the first ever World Toy Piano Day?  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1613

Meet The Zing Blast Box.

Last year Zing introduced Wet Head at Toy Fair 2016. It is a game that can result in the loser getting a 'wet head' when he pulls out the wrong peg on a water-filled 'hard hat' he or she is wearing. This year, the stakes are less dire in their new game Blast Box. To play this game, inflated balloons are placed under the Blast Box, one balloon for each player. Then each player takes a turn with the Blast Box Spinner and must drive that amount of nails (actually plastic pegs) into the BLAST BOX without breaking a balloon underneath. Play continues until only one player remains and becomes the Winner. The game set includes: 1 blast box , 1 hammer, 35 Blast Box plastic nails, a game spinner, and 50 balloons. It sells for under $20, and should be available now.  

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/2pnUFdUBe0A

Company commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIpVGS5llDQ

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1613

A game that might make you 'flushed' with excitement!

Another game kids will probably love playing is Hasbro's Toilet Trouble. You can get wet with this game when you flush the mini-plastic toilet and have to beware of an unexpected spray of (clean) water. A funny toilet flushing sound effect will add to the fun. The spinner is cleverly designed as a toilet paper roll. You have to flush the toilet handle to match the number you got on the spinner. And of course you hope you don't get sprayed with water! Players are safe if they hear the flushing sound, but no water is sprayed. Who knows which flush will be the one that sprays water, eliminating that player? Continue taking turns spinning the roll and flushing until one player has not been sprayed. That player wins the game! Toilet Trouble includes a game base, toilet base, toilet tank with toilet paper roll spinner, toilet bowl with lid, and instructions. It's suggested for ages 4 and up. And of course, there's a caution: To Avoid Injury: Use only clean tap water. 2 AA Alkaline batteries required. (Demo batteries included.) I did not get to experience this game in person, but our friends over at Time To Play Magazine shared their video with us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7zIpQR527Q

Hasbro commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxM_WgXPvhg

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1613

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another 'Cheap Security Gadget' - His Theme For March, 2017

Chad polled our great Patreon members to pick a theme for his March “Chad's Crappy (or sometimes not so crappy) Corner. They picked “Cheap Security Gadgets”. Chad's 2^nd Cheap Security Guard is a decent looking, but dummy (fake) solar powered security camera.

Chad bought his dummy solar-powered security camera at http://www.spycenter.com/. The list price was $27.00, but it was on sale for less than $20. Unfortunately, as you'll see in the video, when Chad unboxed his new security camera, one of the wires that connects to the solar panel on top was broken. However there was enough power in the two rechargeable AAA batteries which were included, for the red 'on' LED light to blink. The camera does look real even though it's made of plastic. When mounted out of reach I think it could easily pass for a real security camera. Chad's camera also came with a little 'Video Surveillance Warning Sticker' for a window or door. Chad likes his fake camera, but wished it was in total working condition out of the box.

Chad's Cam looked like this, but watch this week's video.I searched for 'dummy security camera' on the http://www.spycenter.com/ website and no results came up. But not to worry. There are many dummy security camera on Amazon. There's a solar powered one on Amazon for $12.00. Here's what Amazon says about it:

Now you can protect your premises and the environment at the same time with the solar powered 7" IR Dummy Camera in Circular Outdoor Housing. It can deter robbery, theft or vandalism without the high cost of a real security camera. When placed in your home or business even the most sophisticated criminals will think the premises is guarded by a high-tech surveillance system and go in search of an easier target. Rain Shield so this camera can be used anywhere. The flashing LED light can be powered by the sun (which charges the included rechargeable batteries). The dimensions (including the rain shield and bracket) are 10 inches x 6 inches x 7 inches. Installs quickly and easily using the included stainless steel screws. Requires two AAA Batteries if used inside. $12.00.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1613

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

The link to our viewer video this week arrived with this email: 

Hi Dick and Chad,

I recently saw a cool device on a previous  episode of the Giz Wiz, which I watch every week (although not always live).

You featured the Message Fan by Brookstone. I thought that it was pretty cool. So I ordered one through Amazon. After it arrived I read the booklet that came with it and installed the included software and it was pretty straight forward and not all that difficult to program messages and upload to the fan. It all worked really well.

I like the fact that you can make up to 20 different messages with a variety of different colors and styles/effects and to be able to save them.

This is a video (https://youtu.be/0n35-2Injr0) that shows one way I use the Message Fan as a reminder to watch The Giz Wiz. I’ve used it to remind me to watch the Giz Wiz for the last 2 weeks and it all worked great! Didn’t miss the show.

When used with a timer and using the included AC/USB adapter this Message Fan could be used for a variety of cool reminders; walk the dog, feed the pets, pick-up the wife or kids from school, appointments, time to go to bed, wake up in the morning, etc. This Fan is now one of my favorite new gadgets.

Looking forward to more Giz Wiz Episodes!

Cheers from one of the GizWizzers (one your GW fans),

Chuck From SE AZ.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1613

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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  

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Letter of the week:

On a past episode (1611) you talked about the Fidget Cube hitting the market.  What you actually showed was not the Fidget Cube, but one of the numerous knockoffs.  Chad was correct that China started making cheap, crappy versions and flooding the market.  Many are even using the actual Fidget Cube marketing materials, acting like they are being sold by Antsy Labs, the creator of the Fidget Cube.  Even Woot fell for one of these other sellers and was offering "genuine Fidget Cubes" and then had to offer a retraction and state they were not the genuine product.

I backed them on Kickstarter as my son constantly fidgets, and we received our units as promised in the campaign.  A few of his friends received the knockoff versions and he said there is a very distinct difference in the build quality of the different components.

Just wanted to clear up the confusion and make sure the viewers knew that the actual Fidget Cubes are absolutely not a buck or two and if you do purchase one for that price, you're getting what you pay for.

Thanks, Corey