Giz Wiz #1544 November 11th, 2015, our 28th Independently Produced Giz Wiz Show

If you'd like to support OMGChad & DickDe in our independent venture, (we pay for everything ourselves) just click the Patreon link at the top of this link: http://www.gizwiz.tv/.  You can also contribute just once via PayPal there too. And thank you! Our show wouldn't exist with our viewer's support. 

Engadget LIVE! Is a gadget event put on in several large cities by, well, Engadget.com. This week's Giz Wiz show is about gadgets and more that we found at Engadget LIVE! First up is Sentri, an all-in-one monitoring solution that doesn't look like one. It's housed in a very attractive 10.1″ color touchscreen display that can sit on a table, or hang on a wall. The company says just plug it in, connect it to your WiFi, and let Sentri get to work in learning more about you. Sentri will start sending you alerts to your phone about the state of your home, including your home’s security (physical security and environmental state), and suggestions of little steps you can take (or let Sentri make for you) to make your home safer and more attuned to your own personal needs. And if you own other smart devices (such as a Nest Learning Thermostat or Philip Hue’s smart light), you can monitor and control them directly from your Sentri device or mobile app. It can also do a quick scan around your home via your home’s WiFi network to see if there are any other devices/systems it can connect with. Sentri gives you a 10″ screen to personalize the look of your home with the ability to display your own photos directly on the Sentri screen. Make immediate use of the designer themes that Sentri comes pre-loaded with, or show your own via Sentri’s SD card slot. Available now for $299.99.

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

Company website: http://www.sentri.me/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1544     

Do you know how much water you drink a day?

How much water should you drink a day? And exactly how much did you drink so far? Can't remember, then this gadget might be for you. Ozmo is a high-tech smart cup and an app. They can synchronize together or work separately. It designed to record your coffee, tea and water consumption. That way you'll know if you reached your daily hydration level and didn't exceed your caffeine level. A series of three LED's on the side of the container lets you know your hydration level and the cup vibrates if you should drink more water. The Ozmo 16 ounce PBA-free container has a built-in USB-rechargeable battery, which shouldn't need to be recharged for about a week. The company says their device syncs with Fitbit, Apple Health & other apps. The Ozmo smart cup was created by the Groking Lab based in Hong Kong. Right now their app works with iPhone 5/5c/5s/6/6 Plus with iOS 8. An Android app is coming soon. $59.99. A different model that will have a charging station and with a heating element for hot beverages will be coming mid-2016 for $99.00.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/G18xwrg2XEI

Company website: http://www.ozmo.io/  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1544

Ever hear of Drizly?

Also at Engadget LIVE! Was a bar set up by Drizly. It isn't a gadget, but it is is an interesting concept. Here's their story: Drizly is the technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor. Combining the best selection and price, content-rich and personalized shopping experiences, and the speed and convenience of on-demand delivery, Drizly delivers “The Joy of Drinking™” to legal-age drinkers across the United States. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $17.8 million to become a superior place to shop for beer, wine and liquor in Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hoboken/Jersey City, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, New York City, Providence, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. It's available on the iPhone, Android, and on the web. Here's how Drizly works:

1. Download Drizly to your iPhone or Android phone, or log on to Drizly.com.

2. Sign up and add your favorite beer, wine and liquor to your cart.

3. Check out, enter discount codes, pay and tip your driver, all right from Drizly.

4. In less than one hour, your alcohol will be delivered.

And now back to me. There are different dollar minimums in different locations, and most locations also have a $5 delivery charge, but it's free delivery in NYC. And Drizly says you should tip your delivery person.

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1544 (Goes live late Friday 11/13/15)

Chad's Crappy Corner and another gadget for his November theme.

Chad polled our loyal (and much appreciated) Patreons and asked what theme they would like to see for November. They picked: “Chad's Gadget Warehouse”. Old stuff Chad still has!

And this week Chad picks his Talkboy. If you never had one, the Talkboy is a portable variable-speed cassette player and recorder. It was originally conceived as a non-working prop for the 1992 movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. It was used by the main character played by (Macaulay Culkin. Then because of a letter writing campaign by young fans of the movie, it was made into a real working retail version in 1993. As Chad showed us, it's a battery-powered handheld cassette player/recorder with an integrated mono speaker, a grip handle, and an extendable microphone. The fun part of the Talkboy is a switch which toggles between normal and slow speed settings for playback and recording. Chad showed us how this feature lets you alter the recording and playback speed so it was easy to change a person's voice. This functionality was designed to emulates Kevin McCallister's use of the Talkboy in scenes from Home Alone 2. Chad still had a recording of his voice on the machine which he recorded when he was about 11 years old. Unfortunately, it was heard to hear over the background noise made by inexpensive machines back then. But you will hear it if you watch this episode! If you want a Talkboy, there are used ones on eBay and even a brand new on in a box for over $100! Just do a web search. (There was even a TalkGirl made since the device was such a hit.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1544

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

This week's viewer video features Ben's favorite gadget. Here's his email:

From: Ben Micek (my-sick)

Subject: My favorite gadget

Hi dick and chad this is my favorite gadget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8y4h7Y-kbA&feature=youtu.be

Ben form Omaha , Ne

In another email Ben added: It's free to those who are visually impaired or blind.

Here's a link Ben sent that shows the device:

http://www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/playerdescription.html 

Link to American Foundation for the Blind MP3 and Digital Book Players:

http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?SectionID=73&DocumentID=4646&rewrite=0

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1544 (Goes live late Friday 11/13/15)

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 We're looking for more viewer videos and 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 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! 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:

Hey guys, Re the one touch / 2 can peaces of crap.

I got an electric tin (can) opener 15 years ago after I lost my left hand. Using a standard opener was more hassle than it was worth. The one I was told about and still own was made by a UK based company Kenwood.

I found this video on Youtube that shows how it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8dMRuqxX4g

But in short, you stick the can on, pull the leaver down and then you can walk away, get a pan or whatever. It opens the can with no hassle. You hold the can, flip the leaver up and an attached magnet pulls away the lid. It is mains powered and sits on the counter and Is very sturdy.

I love the show and often find my self spending money on things you feature. Not always a bad thing...

Thanks for all you do and keep it crappy. Stephen Menary