OMG! This is the 1st Giz Wiz Show OMGChad & I are producing on our own!

BIG CHANGE!

It's was time for the Giz Wiz Show (after 8+ years) to leave TWiT. Leo Laporte, founder of TWiT and co-host for most of those years, suggested OMGChad & I produce Giz Wiz ourselves on Patreon. And that's what we're doing. Hopefully you're a fan and will stay with us. The show numbering continues, and if you subscribed when we were on TWiT, you'll continue to receive the Giz wiz shows. But this time 'round, if you feel like supporting us and the show, you can visit

www.patreon.com/gizwiz. Thank you!

Our new podcast & chatroom home is www.gizwiz.tv  (Join us, please.)

And now on with the NEW, not-IMPROVED Giz Wiz Show!

It’s Spring which means it’s time for the annual "Time To Play Magazine Spring Showcase." It’s an event to give the press a first look at the hottest new toys, video games, baby products, and playthings people will be talking about this season. .....As you probably know, especially if you have kids, the 3rd Minion movie arrives June, 2015, so there's a lot of tie-in merchandise on the way. Some clever gadgets I saw at the TTPM Spring showcase are from Sky Rocket Toys. Its their Minion Safety Gear for kids, that include helmets, knee and elbow pads, even goggles. I think this is a great idea because kids will want to wear their Minion safety gear while biking, skating, etc. There’s even a fun piece of Minion equipment for peering under the water at the beach or pool. And there’s even a Minion Music and Sound Board. Prices range from about $10 to $25. These are shipping already and should be available at the big box stories and online at places like Amazon. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/F5NJb4WiOS0 

Company Website: http://www.skyrockettoys.com/  (As of 5/3/15, their Minion Gear was not yet online.)

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1517 

Roominate, designed by female engineers to help young girls get the engineering bug.

…is the opening statement on the Roominate Toy website. Not only is this original building kit designed for girls, the company was founded by two young women who both are engineers. Alice Brooks and Bettina Chen met and became friends in the master’s engineering program at Stanford. As two of the few women in the program, they compared stories on why they had pursued engineering. They were both inspired by their childhood toys. They also say in the US, less than 15% of women enter college intending to major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. Alice and Bettina believe the gender gap starts young. Many girls’ toys lag behind in the development of spatial skills, hands-on problem solving skills, and confidence with technology. These are exactly the skills that Roominate aims to develop. (On the positive side, I bet that’s a way better ratio of women engineers than when I was a kid!) These two engineers also say that “Roominate empowers creative girl builders by letting them design, program and control their world. Every girl is an artist, engineer, architect and visionary!” And this isn’t idle talk. Alice and Bettina have had great success on Kickstarter, on Shark Tank and in the market place. Kits are available at most of the big box stores, and new higher tech Roominate kits are due in the fall, as you'll learn in the video. Prices range from about $20 to almost $100.00

Giz Wiz Video:  www.roominatetohttps://youtu.be/_zQm3efIvgMy.com 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1517 

An action cam designed for kids, age 4+.

Vtech’s new Kidizoom Action Cam made the TTPM Summer Playlist, an annual roundup of the season's hottest toys. The Action Cam is a great first video and photo camera for kids because Vtech says it’s durable enough to handle drops and tumbles. It comes with two mounts so kids can attach it to their bike, skateboard and more, plus a waterproof case, making it perfect for interactive play. The Action Cam features a 1.4" color LCD screen, can take stop-motion videos and time-lapse photos. But wait, there’s more. It also offers games, fun effects, frames and photo filters. For the top resolution you’ll need to add a memory card, up to 32GB, which is not included. Although the resolution range isn’t HD, I don’t think kids will notice or care. They’ll just be thrilled to be able to enjoy and share their adventures via video using their own action cam. Recommended for ages 4 years and up, MSRP $59.99. The Action Cam will be available in stores, starting with Wal-Mart, mid-May, 2015. 

http://www.vtechkids.com/. 

Giz Wiz Video:  https://youtu.be/mNY56Ftlq1g

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1517 

Chad's Crappy Corner and his 1st "moving" gadget.

Having just moved from Petaluma to Los Angeles, it makes perfect sense that Chad's gadget theme for this month is "moving gadgets"!

Chad's first "moving gadget" is the Bosch Compact Laser Measure. Here’s what the company says about it: The Bosch GLM 15 Laser Measure is the smallest, simplest way of measuring. Thanks to its laser precision technology and continuous measurement mode, it takes instant and reliable measurements up to 50-feet so you can size up your job in seconds. Square and compact by design, the GLM 15 Laser Measure is ready for anywhere portability, fitting comfortably in your hand and easily into your pocket. With just one button and a shape that lets you measure in any position, the GLM 15 Laser Measure makes measuring easier and faster than a tape measure. Includes GLM 15 Laser Measure and (2) AAA Batteries. About $44 on Amazon as of 5/7/2015

And Chad’s take?

I'll post this once we record this show, so please check back! 

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LGANH8K/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001U89QBU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZN6YMP6A1KKN61PZJHR As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1517 

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

Our viewer video of the week started with this email:

Hi to the gizwiz gang,

I'm Adi Oron from Tel Aviv, Israel a fan of the show for the last 4 years. I watch it weekly with my streamer. In my video I will show a very practical solution to a daily task for day we will have no power.

Keep on doing your crappy work you do in the most enjoyable way

Adi oron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aHK6H4Cm4o

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1517 

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Get an autographed copy of MAD Magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture if we show your video. Here are details: 

We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so let’s go going!  

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.   

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 a new gadget you just bought too.  

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!   

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv. (NOTICE! This is a new email address!)