Giz Wiz Show #1777 April 30, 2020 Independent Show #258

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: www.gizwiz.tv.  

We start with The Lap Laptop Desk with legs. Picked as a “best of” by the NY Times. Although the Times calls it Avantree, it's been rebranded under "Neetto" on Amazon. The company says you can use it as a multi-functional workstation, a standing desk, snack tray for watching TV, a laptop or tablet stand for relaxing in bed or a food table to enjoy breakfast in bed! I demo how you the height is adjustable from 9.4"-12.6" and the table angle adjusts 0-30 degrees. The thing that has changed drastically recently is the price. I bought it for $39.99 before the current Covid-19 stay at home pandemic. It's now $79.99, but I found one very similar (and a bit larger) for about $62.00 depending the finish you pick.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/kSaawk2H2ts   

This is the one shown in the video on this show: https://amzn.to/2y3Dhyh  

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

This one cost less & has a bigger desk: https://amzn.to/2YjM9dB  

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

From a few shows ago, a suggestion from a viewer: https://flapzen.com/products/multi-functional-laptop-stand?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=hm50&utm_campaign=science  Bill Nieranowski

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1777  

Meet The Mobile Power Power Bank with micro SD card slot.

I found something interesting on Woot. The Mobile Power power bank with Bluetooth speaker, bright LED light, battery status indicator and a micro SD card lot! It comes with a clip on visor bracket for a car so you can answer or reject phone calls from the device and listen to music, audiobooks, etc. But the speaker is way better for voice than music. It's 5200 mAh so it can fully charge one the newer phones. It's also has play, pause, and volume buttons right on the unit. Ships with a really short charging cable and DC car charger adapter. It was $25 on Woot, but it's now sold out. However, it might still be on Until Gone, link below.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/WLmBG6XriOE  

It was available on UntilGone on 5/2/20 for about $26.00.

https://untilgone.com/products/mobilepower-car-bluetooth-speakerphone-with-built-in-battery-bank?variant=17078975627379&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInIvlua2Q6QIVxvyzCh3-OgEpEAEYASABEgIzrvD_BwE

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1777  

My Favorite Stripper!

It's the Knoweasy Automatic Wire Stripper/Cutter. (Expecting something else?) I splice a lot of wires, especially down at the marina. I find it's a lot easier with this device. The wire is held firm by clamping the jaws. A self-adjusting mechanism according to wire size, provides excellent wire stripping as you'll see in my video demo. There's an adjustable wire strip length stop, with a spring that returns the stripper to the starting position. Something I just realized is that this device also has is a adjustment dial for blade pressure according to the thickness of insulation. That means it may have been to cut through that four conductor wire I tried it on in the video. Since wire stripper is set exactly the way I use it, I didn't experiment with it. And it's inexpensive, under $13.00 as of 4/30/20, but that can change at any time.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/WLmBG6XriOE

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KZP6bH 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/1777

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

Chad's 'Cheap Gadgets Theme For April' picked by our loyal Patreons is “Fresh Takes On Older Tech Gadgets”. Chad's final gadget for April is The Original Mashtape – Retro Mixtape Design Cassette Tape USB Flash Drive.

Info via Amazon: The art of giving a mixtape has been redefined! Share music, photo, art, or videos with this retro style cassette flash drive. Our cars aren't equipped with cassette players anymore, and few computers still have CD drives. The time honored tradition of sharing your mix just hit the 21st century. Perfect throw-back for to remember the 80s and 90s. Comes with: 8GB flash drive Plastic Cassette Case Cassette Case Sleeve/Cover. Perfect nostalgic gift for: anniversaries, birthday, graduation, mothers day, fathers day, birthday, wedding favors, wedding gifts, valentines day, mothers day, fathers day, or any other occasion.

And Chad's take? Chad thought this was a great retro gift. As you'll see in the show it looks like an old cassette, but it actually contains a foldout USB Flash Drive. The only downside is finding a free USB port to put insert it into. Watch as Chad explains on this week's show. Chad paid under $15.00 for his, but the chatroom found it cheaper online (from overseas) as you learn in the show.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3fawHq8 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/1777  

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

Our email this week is from a loyal fan and frequent contributor, Jeff Slomovitz. This video fits in perfectly with Chad's April theme: Old Tech Meets New Tech.  Here's Jeff's email:

Hi Sir,

It’s been a while, here a crappy corner video of a nostalgic device I recently converted to a modern smart device. Enjoy

Jeff Slomovitz

https://youtu.be/vKEeSECDnxA

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1777  

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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.
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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 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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Letter of the week:

Hi dick and chad. Last week Chad showed the speak and spell. I had a Math and speak as a kid. It was also made by Texas Instruments

https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Instruments-Speak-Learning-System/dp/B001LF27MC/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=math+and+speak&qid=1587346095&sr=8-7

Ben from Omaha ne tardis pilot86 in chat