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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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Entries from May 1, 2020 - May 31, 2020

Saturday
May302020

Giz Wiz Show #1781 May 28, 2020 Independent Show #262

This is our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we're now going into year 15. If it wasn't for our supporters 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/

We start the show with a gadget you may not know about! The Eternal Lifestyle 3D Phone Magnifier

It's a 3D Phone Magnifier w/ Radio And Bluetooth - Works with Any Smart Phone. Here's what the company says about it: No more squinting at your smartphone screen! Watch movies, read texts and emails, or surf the web on your phone without straining your eyes! Slip most any smartphone in the side to see and hear what you've been missing! This rechargeable 3D magnifier features Bluetooth speaker, FM radio, and AUX input. Plays TF cards, MP3s, and WMAs up to 32G. Includes audio and USB charging cables.

And The Giz Wiz says: It does make the picture a bit bigger and a bit fizzier. It does improve the sound a bit, but it also has a lot of drawbacks. Watch this week's show, or my video below to see why you just might want to pass on buying the Eternal Lifestyle 3D Phone Magnifier.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/GomP9gJYVPo

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/3D-Phone-Magnifier-w-Radio-And-Bluetooth-Works-with-Any-Smart-Phone/133555933 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1781

Saturday
May302020

Let there be light! (In my dark freezer.)

My apartment sized refrigerator never had a light in the freezer. I decided to search for "freezer light" on Amazon and one came up. The seller says: The motion sensor in this unit triggers a bright, focused beam of light. It is easy to install almost anywhere, and it easily detaches from its mounting plate to serve as a handheld light. Outdoors, it lights pathways, stairs, decks, patios, driveways, sheds, and signage. Indoors, it illuminates hallways, closets, and storage areas. Notice it didn't mention "freezer light", but I typed that in review search and found a few people who said it works great as a light in a freezer. So I bought one and you'll see the results in the video on this week's show, or at the link below.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/8DtQKqGU5

 

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3ewjLtJ   

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1781

Friday
May292020

May is 'Bike Safety' Month, but bike safety is a year-round thing.

Meet the Gallop Bike Alarm. I got mine at Overstock for $12.89, but Overstock is Out Of Stock. Here's what they said about the Gallop bike alarm: Package Content: 1 x Bicycle Alarm,Several Screws. Plastic; Powered By: 1 x 9V Battery (Not included). Quiver style alarm,110db high export sound. (In another place it says 120 db) Prevent the behavior of moving the bicycle by the thief. When triggered the alarm will sound 5 times and if it is triggered again within 5 seconds it will sound 15 seconds continuously. From the Giz Wiz: This alarm is loud, and is controlled by a four letter code you set, using the A,B,C buttons. You can set the sensitivity level which is good. That way if someone tries to unscrew the entire alarm, it should go off. You can find this by searching eBay, where it's often under $10. I don't think it's super secure, but it beats not having any bike protection.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/yG0bQw6Wln0

Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/p/21010112521?iid=322056555556 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1781

Friday
May292020

Chad's Crappy Corner & his final gadget for his May Theme.

Chad picks an easier project for his final “cheap hack gadgets”. As a matter of fact you don't need to add much to build this Kidz Robotix Table Top Robot.

The company says: This fun kit teaches kids about toys, robotics, and more. Challenge your child's imagination with the 4M Table Top Robot. Perfect for any young scientist, this fun kit teaches kids the basics of robotics by constructing a working robot crab. When activated, the crab scuttles under its own power and changes direction when it encounters an obstacle. Fostering creativity and mechanical skill, this kit also provides an excellent opportunity to show kids how toys are assembled and function. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Kids can assemble a scuttling mechanical crab that they'll be proud of. 

And Chad says: All you need to supply to build this kit is a Phillips head screwdriver and 1 AA battery. The set included all the other necessary components, along with easy-to-follow instructions. Actually Chad said it was almost too easy to build. He estimated that him took him about ten minutes to complete the kit. But, that's Chad. You learn all about this kit on this week's show.

The kit is about $15.00 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XbdRbs

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1781

Friday
May292020

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video & Get An Autographed MAD Magazine!

This week we have a first time viewer video submission from Henry New and submitted from far away. Henry is in Singapore!

Subject: Emergency Light Holder Hack.

 

Hi Dick and Chad:

 

In Line with your hack together theme, I have created a light bulb holder which can change an emergency light in to a decent torch. Enjoy!

 

Henry's Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj4QOgZZIls

 

Emergency LED Bulb Henry used: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32979727561.html

 

Regards, Henry From Singapore

 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1781  

 

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We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show! 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 (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.
-
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 38+ year old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live outside of US, I can autograph an Alfred E. Neuman photo to you, scan it & email you a high res copy 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! If you submitting warehouse videos for a second, third time, etc., you'll get the current issue of MAD as a thank you.

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv
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Email of the week:

Subject: Introducing the Touchless Door Opener

 

Kelly Rothschild writes:  Dick & Chad,

 

I just received this email for a new gadget. It's a new-to-me device and thought it might be something you might test in Chad's Crappy Corner and Dick's Gadet Warehouse.

 

I then searched amazon for "touchless door opener" and found CovidClaws, GermKeys, and the like. Is this a better option to using my back to open doors or my elbow to touch those elevator buttons?

 

Thanks, kelly

 

Here's the ad: https://manage.kmail-lists.com/subscriptions/web-view?a=Q4AcEH&c=PVwKnb&r=qAHaDM7&m=Rivjqh&k=c0fc6a094562ee84427c6db1583e281b