The Giz Wiz Show 1665, March 9th 2017 Independent Show #148

The Giz Wiz Show just started it's13^th year! The first show was February 20^th, 2006. And soon we'll be entering our 4^th year of Independent Production! That's thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters! If it wasn't for them, the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. 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. (As we can say honestly, asking for more Patreon supporters is not to make more money, it helps us lose less money doing The Giz Wiz. Thanks!)

This week we wrap up gadgets from one of the most fun events of the year, Toy Fair! Let's check out the final two gizmos we saw at the Javits Center in NYC.

We start with some exciting Neuoscience kits.

At Toy Fair 2018 I had to stop by the Backyard Brains Booth to see what sort of fun stuff they had. And surprise, I found something quite amazing, their Backyard Brains Human-Human Interface. With just a bit of wiring and by applying a few sticky pads to my arm I was about to learn that someone else's brain could make my arm move! Here's how the company puts it: "With our electrophysiology setup, you will learn exciting neuroscience concepts first-hand as your brain sends an electrical impulse to your arm's muscles, telling them to move. When your muscles move, this generates an even larger electrical signal. You'll take that electricity, then further amplify it and inject it into the nerves controlling another person's arm. This will gives the other person a direct education about the importance of eletrophysiology as this incoming signal overrides their nervous system and forces their arm to obey your electrical commands. It's a new spin on taking charge! The company's Human-Human Interface contains all of the materials you'll need to connect yourself with another person. It comes with an Arduino microcontroller (it's like a small, easily programmable computer), already programmed to facilitate newfound dreams of power. Plugged onto the Arduino is their Muscle Spikershield, which lets the Arduino understand the signals coming out of your body. With this you can see the electricity in your muscles as they move, but more importantly, use them as a signal to turn on the stimulator. But wait, there's more! A TENS stimulation device harmlessly delivers electricity to your arm's nerves. The Controller person uses the electrical signals from their voluntary muscle movement as a signal to turn on the stimulator. When this happens, my nerves interpreted the electricity as a "contract" signal, and my arm flexed as the controller's arm flexed. All this fun and educational neuroscience for students, kids, and adults isn't exactly inexpensive. The Human-to-Human kit is $259.99, but the company offers kits that cost much less. You can save a lot by buying some of their kits and building them from scratch yourself. 

 Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/bo3vlxNFzhY

 Company website: http://www.backyardbrains.com/

 See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1665  

Not a toy, but something new for parents.

SmarTrike's new smarTfoldis a revolutionary fully foldable, portable trike that will change the way parents can travel with, and improve the development of their young ones says the company. smarTfold (Yes, they use a small "so") becomes 85% smaller when folded for traveling, transporting or storage, making it the ultimate compact folding trike. The quick-click design requires no tools to assemble, and enables folding the trike, while it stays intact, just like a stroller. smarTfold offers two folding modes, Carry-On and Storage. And the company says smarTfold is not just a ride-in/on, it is the ultimate “grow-with-me” hybrid product. Featuring seven or eight distinct configurations (depending on the model), smarTfold contributes to the growth and advancement of a child’s motor skills by transforming to support any toddler, at every stage of their development, from 6-months to 3-years. Prices range from $99 to $170.00. Available at Toyrus and other retailers, or the company website.

Giz Wiz +Company Video: https://youtu.be/VWu26EVCFO4 

Company website for the new 'smarTfold': https://www.smartfold.net/

Company website: https://www.smartrike.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1665  

Chad reviews an extra gadget on this week's show.

Chad has two cats and wanted a high-tech way to monitor their restroom needs. So he bought the Litter-Robot III Open Air with Connect. Here's how the company describes it: Say hello to the completely reimagined Litter-Robot III Open Air with Connect. After the cat exits, the patented sifting process automatically separates the waste from the litter and deposits the clumps into a waste drawer for easy disposal. Now WiFi-enabled so you can remotely monitor and control a single Litter-Robot or multiple units. Compatible with Apple mobile devices with iOS 9.0 or greater. (An Android app is coming in 2018) Great for cats 5 lbs and up. Use the app to view the waste drawer level, or to change settings remotely. And you also can receive status notifications. $499.00 

And Chad's take: Chad likes this device, but he points out a few faults. It doesn't alway recognize his cat has entered or left the device. That means he sometimes has to start it manually. It should also stop when a cat enters but sometimes it doesn't. Stranglely, one of his cats like to go for a ride in it, and runs into the room whenever he hears it start running. Since Chad has this set-up in his garage, he likes that he can monitor what it's doing from his phone. Chad also pointed out that this device is BIG, and cost just about $500, ($50 cheaper without the 'connect' feature). But Chad has the room for it, and likes the convenience of connecting to it from afar. Be sure to watch his full review in this week's show for many more details.

There are also less expensive models than the Litter Robot Open Aire Connect:

Company website: https://www.litter-robot.com

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1665  

Chad's Crappy Corner & His Second Gadget For His New March Theme.

Chad polled our loyal Patreon members and asked them to vote on his theme for March. They picked "inexpensive garden gadgets." Chad's second gadget of the month is the Little Big Shot Super Nozzle puts maximum force and water efficiency in the palm of your hand. Precision crafted from solid brass, it delivers more force with less water and will not leak. With 'Continuous Adjustability', water output ranges from a powerful sweep at the full open position for quick clean-up to a gentle, ultra fine pin-point stream for watering delicate seedlings. With superior performance, water efficiency and small size, it is perhaps the most adjustable nozzle available today, and sure to be the biggest little nozzle you'll ever own. Completely made in USA and assembled by disabled US veterans. Fits any standard 1" hose. Under $10.

And Chad's take: Chad liked this device and said it made the stream from the hose his uses go further than the nozzle he was using. (The company says "40% more power".) One drawback and Chad's not sure why - is that he couldn't shut his hose off completely from the Super Nozzle. Fully off, it still dripped water. But Chad like the quality, the feel, and the way it worked, and yes, the price. He paid $9.99.

It's here on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2FGBz7A  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1665  

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

What office gadget, still being used, was patented over 150 years ago?

No, not the paper clip, it's the stapler. Here's some background info via Wikipedia. The first known stapler was made in the 18th century in France for King Louis XV. Each staple was inscribed with the insignia of the royal court, as required.[4] The growing uses of paper in the 19th century created a demand for an efficient paper fastener.[5] In 1866, George McGill received a U.S. patent for a small, bendable brass paper fastener that was a precursor to the modern staple. In 1867, he received a U.S. patent for a press to insert the fastener into paper. On February 18, 1879, George McGill received a patent for the McGill Single-Stroke Staple Press, the first commercially successful stapler. This device weighed over two and a half pounds and loaded a single 1/2 inch wide wire staple, which it could drive through several sheets of paper. --- As you'll see in the video, I love staplers!

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/aUDIg0FKRXo

The only big design change I know of was the “power handle forward” stapler. It seems like a great idea because instead of pressing on the back of the staple gun, you're pressing down right over the spot the staple exits! It looks like it wasn't a big hit since I don't see it used much any more and it although it's still available, it doesn't have very good reviews it has on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2tqVrqH  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1665  

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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 earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you'll also get an autographed 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live, I canemail an autographed to you Alfred E. Neuman photo if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it's a copy. We've tested it out and fans say they look terrific!

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv   

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Letter of the week:

Our email from Bruce Hill refers to the Jan/Feb WTHII gadget which was a device clip onto a table or a chair outdoors to hold a drink. Bruce found one designed to hold a wine glass! Here's his email:

I once received one of these as a free gift at a wine tasting.

https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Hook-Clip-Glass-Holder/dp/B00ML6Z7JA?th=1&psc=1

I own one of the clip-on cup holders you used as a what the heck is it, and did not recognize it from the angle you took the picture. Bruce Hall