Giz Wiz Show 1597 for November 18th, 2016, Our 81st Independent Production.

Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters The Giz Wiz Show not only continues, but is well into its 2nd year of independent production. 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! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support.

On this show we finish with more toys and fun gadgets from The Time To Play Magazine Holiday Showcase.

From Mongoose and Kids Trax come a great assortment of electric vehicles. Here's info provided by the company. Join Minnie for some four-wheeled fun with the 12-Volt Disney Minnie Mouse Coupe Battery-Powered Ride-On by Kid Trax! Real opening doors, working LED headlights and Power Trax Rubber Traction Strip Tires. Moves forward at 5 MPH or 2.5 MPH in reverse. You're sure to turn heads along the way, too with a pink polka-dotted paint job, molded mouse ear seats and shiny chrome accent. This two-seater comes with a 12-Volt rechargeable battery and charger, and is designed for children ages 3+ with a maximum weight limit of 120 lbs. There is also a Mickey Mouse version. Each is $299.99 at Toys R Us. 

http://www.toysrus.com/

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Party Wagon Ride-on is a one-seater funmobile. Power Trax rubber traction strip tires for smooth riding on slick surfaces and it comes with a 6V rechargeable battery and wall charger to keep the fun going. Safe forward and reverse speeds of 2.5 MPH ensure this one will be a hit for the whole family. The weight limit for the TMNT Party Wagon is 75 lbs and the recommended age is 3-7. I checked the price on 11/15/16 and Walmart said they had rolled the price back $50 and was selling this ride-on wagon for $129.00 with free shipping. Here's the Walmart link:

 http://tinyurl.com/gvy38ww 

The red Maserati Gran Turismo MC Centennial 6 Volt Powered Ride On in the video is styled to look just like the hot big-brother sports car. With lots of details and official logos molded in, this ride-on will travel at a speed of 2.5 miles per hour in forward and reverse. It can carry one driver (ages 3-7 years) with a maximum weight of 75 pounds. It comes with the battery and charger and has great features like the Direct Connect charging system and Power Trax Rubber Traction strip tires, FM Radio and an Auxiliary input, and two opening side doors. This is available at Toys R us for $169.99 with free shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/jyxw3s8 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/T3Ie9-40FEA

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1597

Remember one of the first electronic games from the past, Simon?

Well Simon is back in a new techie version called SIMON AIR. In the new incarnation, classic SIMON game play gets a modern twist with touch-free technology! You can play alone or team up with a friend and work together. You have to remember the sequence, repeat the pattern to conquer the game. The game senses every hand motion and registers correct sequences. Keep winning and the speed and levels keep increasing with double moves, swoop moves, and even moves that light up all four lights! If the pattern is repeated incorrectly, a buzzer will sound and signal the end of the game. The player with the highest score is the winner! Three “AA” batteries required, demo batteries included. Available at most major retailers nationwide. Retail is $19.99. It's here on Amazon for under $15 and Amazon Prime as of 11/15/16:

http://amzn.to/2feaCYl

My head hurts just from reading the instructions, so here's Laurie from Time To Play Magazine to give you a demo:

TTPM Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hqH7GjExUQ

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1597

A first - interactive bedding and an interactive rug!

At the Time To Play Magazine Holiday Showcase I wasn't sure why I was looking at what seemed to be a bed with an ordinary, but very colorful, blanket. It turned out to be a high-tech duvet cover on the bed. So I asked about it and found out there's a whole new area of play technology for kids.

Welspun,a conglomerate that specializes in home textiles has created a system that can add augmented reality software applications to textile materials. The first product, Spin Tales, is an interactive and innovative bed set and rug for kids aged three and up. They download a free app designed for the duvet cover and rug. Then using an iPad or Android device, it allows the kids to experience adventures in augmented reality and engage in interactive games. Either the interactive duvet cover, or the interactive rug is $99.99 Spin Tales is the first of many smart home textile products that will be introduced under the TILT umbrella. For more information on TILT go to

http://www.tilttextiles.com/. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/FnxKu7z5dbQ  

 See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1597

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another 'Under $5' Gadget, His Theme For November.

Chad's cheap - $5 and under gadget this week is the Floating Fish Music Box Water Fountain Amplifier Water Dance Speaker. (Don't worry, they aren't real fish in that tiny plastic tower. Chad bought his at FIVE BELOW, an amazing store for cheap stuff under $5! The nearest thing we could find on Amazon cost $19.99. This is the description of the Amazon one since there's no description of the one on the Five Below website: 

Portable Colorful LED Floating Fish Music Box Water Fountain Amplifier Water Dance Speaker Features: - With a 3.5mm audio input, you can connect the speaker with your other 3.5mm-jack audio devices. - Built-in amplifier, Hi-Fi stereo speakers. - Dual track and double-horn. Feel the shock of the three-dimensional sense and sense of space. - Through the music player volume and tone control water dance beats. - Concise appearance design, melody perfect match with water dance and LED lamp just is dazzle multi-coloured. - Standard USB power plug, no battery power supply. - Suitable for both home and office use. Package: 1 * Black Water Dance Speaker 1 * USB Cable 1 * Audio Cable 1 * Manual User. It's here, but it's $19.99: http://amzn.to/2gosp4v

And Chad's take: Chad gave us a demo of this little gadget which you'll see in his video on this week's show. You'll also hear the sound of speaker which is really good for a five buck device! Be aware though,  that even though the fish move around and the LED lights change colors, neither of those are in sync with the music you play. Also it's not Bluetooth or wireless. You need to hook the speaker with a cable to USB (USB cable included, but no AC adapter is included). So you either have to plug into a computer, or get an AC to USB adapter. And you also need to run the audio cable, also included, into the sound source via its headphone jack. But hey, five bucks!! Unfortunately when I checked on 11/17/16, it is out of stock at Five Below, but it may be available in one of their stores. Chad said it would be worth up to $10, but not the $20 to $28 dollars it is on Amazon. 

had bought his at this store: https://www.fivebelow.com/dancing-fish-water-speaker.html

That 7 ft. to 10 ft. LED Pre-Lit Adjustable Rising Artificial Spruce Christmas Tree Chad showed is at Home Depot. I also see it's on line here:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-7-ft-to-10-ft-LED-Pre-Lit-Adjustable-Rising-Artificial-Spruce-Christmas-Tree-16HD0173/206973829

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1597 (Goes live late Friday 11/18/16)

Back To Dick's Gadget Warehouse - and how to submit your video!

On this visit to Dick's Gadget Warehouse we look at some old Atari & RanaSystems Disc Drives. 

Back in the early 80's, if you had an Atari Computer, and I did, you could add a disc drive for only $599.99. (Almost of the price of the Atari 800 computer!) A floppy disc back then could hold about 88K of usable memory, until the double density Atari 1050 drive I show in this video. That could hold something like 130K of usable memory! And then I bought the amazing RanaSystems 1000. Compact and lots of LED lights, unlike the 1050 which had a signal red LED. And it was only $399.99. So here's a peek at some old dust-gathering equipment it's time to toss out.

Giz Wiz Warehouse Video: https://youtu.be/JEyPWykLSfA

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1597 (Goes live late Friday 11/18/16)

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos!

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.-

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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The Letter of the week:

Hi Dick and Chad!

Chad, you mentioned taking your alkaline batteries to Best Buy. I think you might find they no longer accept any non-rechargeable batteries in the recycling bins. Here in the midwest it's impossible to find a company that accepts them. In fact, SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL) has the following statement on their website...

Non-Rechargeable Batteries --  Proven cost-effective and environmentally safe recycling processes are not yet universally available for single use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries (i.e. AAA, AA, C, D 6v & 9v). The US EPA classifies single use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries as non-hazardous and advises that they may be safely disposed of with normal household waste. Never dispose of batteries in fire because they could explode. It is important not to dispose of large numbers of batteries in a group. Used batteries are often not completely drained of power. Grouping used batteries together can bring these partially charged batteries into contact with one another, creating safety risks. To avoid risk, simply place a piece of household tape over the contact points of each used battery before disposing of them in the normal household waste.

There are no public (free) single use non-rechargeable battery recycling options available locally to Lake County residents.

I am now sneaking all devices that cannot work with rechargeable AAs or AAAs into our recycling bin. Things like old flash lights that use 6V lantern batteries that my wife loves so much. 

Good luck getting rid of your batteries. Regards, James Todd