The Giz Wiz Show 1648 for November 10th, 2017, Our 131th Independent Production.

We're well into our third year of Independent Production thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters! 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 for doing that! Our show wouldn't exist without our viewer's support, but a bit more support would be a big help.

We start the show this week with two unique gadgets from a new event called Fair Play, held at the Javits Center NYC, November 3-5, 2017.

Remember in last week's show we talked about Lego losing it's patent on Lego Bricks? Well, here's another sample of a product that works with, and looks like, Lego bricks - but with a big difference. E-Blox not only can they be used to build your creations, they can also bring them to life! E-Blox uses a patented technology, which consists of tin-plated blocks (pARTS line) that connect to a battery block, powering the electrical component blocks. The plated blocks used in our pARTS line allow you to seamlessly integrate electronic circuitry into your builds so there are no wires to bundle and hide. The company says that soon you will be able to add motors, speakers, amplifiers, Bluetooth connectivity, and sound effects to your pARTS sets. There are two different product lines and here's the difference between E-Blox Circuit Builder and E-Blox pARTS product lines.The E-Blox Circuit Builder line is great for STEM education and learning. E-Blox pARTS are a form of independent study to fulfill the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) principles. With E-Blox pARTS, there are no predetermined builds. Rather, E-Blox pARTS are designed to encourage you to use your imagination and creativity to design your own builds, or modify existing builds you may already have from other brands. There's also something called eBlox stories kits on their website. The boat in the photo is from one of those kit-building stories. The company recommended age for E-Blox is 8 years and up. Kits start at $34.99. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/y4mtE3UZnwA 

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

Chalk of the Town - A Clever Name For a Chalkboard You Wear.

This caught my eye as I roamed around the Play Fair Show at the Javits Center in NYC. It lets anybody draw or write on the chalkboard surface area of their Chalk of the Town t-shirt with a Chalk of the Town marker. The company says you get the best results when you lay the shirt on a flat surface before drawing and use only markers available through Chalk of the Town. Use of other markers may result in staining of the chalkboard surface. To erase the chalkboard, slightly dampen a cotton cloth with water and wipe the surface clean. They recommend using the erasing cloth included in the kit and why wouldn't you? You can let your imagination run wild and draw whatever occurs to you, or use the kit stencil to express your personal interests and style. And don't worry. Chalk of the Town t-shirts are designed to be used, worn, erased and washed over and over again! They come in kid and adult sizes. The price a kit which includes the shirt, a special marker, erase cloth and storage pouch is about $28.00.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/Ul2YR6SHm0I

Company Website: http://www.chalk-of-the-town.com/

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

OMG! OMGchad gets his iPhone X! What does he think of it?

Yes, Chad got his new phone and reminded us to call it the iPhone 10, not the iPhone X. So far Chad LOVES it. He worried about the 'notch' at the top of the screen (be sure to watch this week's show) but he said it 'disappears' in your mind very quickly as you use the phone. And as you'll see there is a learning curve as to how to use all the features of the iPhone that you used to bring up with the 'home button'. The new phone has no 'home button' and Chad says it takes about a day to learn how to navigate to all the features you used to use that button for. Chad loves the new 5.8 inch Super Retina screen too. The screen is as big as his older iPhone, but his new phone is actually smaller. Leaving out the 'home button' brought about that bit of magic. And Chad bought the 128GB version, so it was about $1100! (He's on the monthly pay plan.) This is a just a quickly summary of what Chad showed us, including the 'face recogniton' phone unlock, so be sure to watch the entire review here: 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

Chad's Crappy Corner & The Second Gadget For His New Theme For November!

Chad polled our loyal Patreon (the great folks who keep our show alive) as to what he should chose for his November them. Their verdict: cheap cooking gadgets! Chad's second gadget for this month's theme is the Dash Mini Maker Waffle.

Chad bought his at Bed Bath & Beyond, but it's also on Amazon. Here's what Amazon says about the Dash Mini Makers. Enjoy delicious, homemade meals quickly with the Dash Mini Makers. These cute little appliances are more than they seem. Each one features a different nonstick cooking surface with which to explore different recipes, from waffles to burgers to even quick fajitas! (They make 3 versions - Chad bought the waffle version.) These Mini Makers heat up quickly, making your day easier and keeping you moving forward without sacrificing your health. Have fun experimenting when you use any one of our Mini Makers! Compact and easy to use, the Mini Waffle maker is perfect for quick, healthy snacks. From chocolate waffles to hash browns, there's something for everyone! $9.99

And Chad's take? Chad really like this Mini Maker Waffle. He bought it at Bed Bath & Beyond for $10, but I also found it on Amazon for $9.99. It is mini. It measures 5" L x 6-1/2" W x 3" H. But as you'll see in Chad's review, it does make very decent waffles in about two minutes. It heats up quickly and as Chad showed us, a Blue indicator light lets you know when the grill is preheated. Chad ate a couple of the waffles he made and said they tasted fine. What Chad liked about this device most is that it takes up very little counter space and that it has a 'mini' price of just $10. He considers this one of the least 'crappy' gadgets he's ever covered in his 'crappy corner' gadget spot.

It's available in colors on Amazon and at Bed, Bath & Beyond. On Amazon some of the colors are more money. The red Mini Maker Waffle was under on Amazon:

http://amzn.to/2Aylj3i - 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

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

This week we star with the "Letter of the week" because my 'Gadget Warehouse' video provides the answer our letter writer seeks!

First the letter: Dick & Chad, Chad has shown how his studio works with the cameras & switcher. So, I was hoping that dick might show us what his "gear" is when he visits these wonderful shows, like for instance, the model mic, how it hooks up to camera, the camera, and maybe the software Dick used to edit footage, add titles and so on? Do you use a camera gimbal? Any input from Chad would be appreciated also.

And thanks for showing the 3D printer review. Capt. J

Dick's Gadget Warehouse

I answer the letter above with a Dick's Gadget Warehouse Video. I decided to do that when I realized almost everything I use to record the Giz Wiz Show is at least 6 years old and a couple of them are more than 10 years old! That's 'ancient' in gadget years! 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/bj_6Mt_Nq0E 

Links to the gadgets in the video

My webcam is an older Logitech 525. One of the very few webcams that swivels. Perfect for when I have to show a guest visiting Gizneyland.

My mic is the Heil Sound PR 40 Dynamic Cardioid Studio microphone system:

http://amzn.to/2yke1yE - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

Recording videos at trade shows and on-the-road, I use the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone. It comes with a USB connector and a XLR connector.

http://amzn.to/2jeOOTl -  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

To connect this mic to a smartphone you'll need a Hosa XVM-110F XLR3F to Right-Angle 3.5 mm TRS Microphone Cable. It comes in various lengths. I think mine is the 10' version which is under $10.00 here:

http://amzn.to/2hTA4G6 - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This never affects how we rate Amazon gadgets since we mostly buy everything we review.

But wait, you need more! Newer smarphones take a four pole connector and the mic has a 3-pole connector, so you need a convertor dongle. I couldn't find the adapter I showed in the video online, but I'll also use this one: Movo MC3 3.5mm TRS (Female) Microphone Adapter Cable to TRRS (Male) for iPhone & Android Smartphones. Allows you to connect your standard TRS (3-pole) 3.5mm microphone connector to your TRRS (4-pole) smartphone. It's under $10. http://amzn.to/2yoOUKP 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1648  

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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.

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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 a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. 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. (IMPORTANT! After December 15, 2017, they'll be something else MAD sent with your Alfred E. Neuman photo. And unfortunately, after that date, we can only send MAD stuff to US addresses. MAD is moving to California, so our supplies and our shipping ability are also leaving town.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv