Giz Wiz Show 1753 November 14, 2019 Independent Show #235

Wow! The Giz Wiz Show is in year 13 overall & our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we continue on! If it wasn't for them, 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/ You can also contribute just once via the PayPal link that's there too. 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. Thanks from OMGchad & DickDe!

Every November there's a fun press event in New York City called CES Unveiled.It's all about  what to expect in the upcoming CES show. Most every year it includes increased numbers for everything. The number of press expected, the number of countries represented and the number of companies exhibiting. For 2020 it's more than 4500 companies and that means hundreds of thousands, if not more than a million individual gadgets. This is probably exciting new to many, but usually not exciting news for members of the press who spend pretty much every waking hour roaming the many CES exhibits and locations. There are also exhibits at CES Unveiled and I found three gadgets that should be of interest to gadget lovers.

Heart Herowas the most unique thing I found at CES Unveiled. It's a long way before it will be in the marketplace, but it could save countless lives of loved ones! HeartHero has built the lowest-cost, easiest-to-use and most portable AED (soon hopefully to be) on the market. The company says anyone witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest can use this device. Anywhere. At anytime. Although this product exists, it is not yet FDA approved so it's not available for sale. A spokesperson said it could be a year before it's available to purchase because of the permissions, tests, etc. This device has many great features. It can automatically alert emergency medical services (EMS) when paired with a smartphone. It detects a heart rhythm and only shocks if needed to save your loved one. It's designed to be intuitive and will offer easy-to-use step-by-step voice instructions with visual prompts for the user. It's bilingual, you choose your language of preference when on boarding your device. Designed for use just about anywhere, it's built to withstand extreme cold and heat and designed to protect critical components. All this technology fits into a device small enough to fits in a purse or backpack. The device is 5.8” x 6” x 1.4” with ergonomic/integrated handle. Weighs 1.3 pounds with battery and pads included (average AED weighs 3 to 5 pounds). When I asked if they had a price point in mind I was told the HeartHero will be significantly less than current AED’s while offering superior features. They said the average lowest-cost AED is about $1600.00 Their unit is expected to be about $800. (AEDs are reimbursable by HSA/FSA) Although it uses easily accessible, store-bought batteries, I think they said CR123, the device will deliver the same shocks as the industry standard Philips AED.

Company video with Gary Montague, HeartHero CEO: https://vimeo.com/287533647

For those who think they'll be afraid to use it here's a video for you:  https://vimeo.com/288628082  

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

There's a new dog in town.

And it's a new Sony Aibo.This is a really updated version of the original Aibo we saw at CES 2009. Sony is definitely not marketing Aibo as a toy. To show what their thinking is, here's some info from their Aibo website: Aibo is a one-of-a-kind autonomous companion robot designed to bring fun and joy to your household. Owners can form a friendship as they raise aibo and watch as it develops its own unique personality through everyday interactions. Built with the latest Sony technology, aibo is brought to life with a wide range of sensors, cameras and actuators, while aibo’s adaptable behavior is made possible through deep learning Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Why did Sony decide to make a new generation of aibo? The first aibo launched in 1999. Since then, the technology for sensors and actuators has improved a lot, and the spread of broadband and wireless communications have created an environment where a companion robot can be perpetually connected to the Internet. In addition to robotics technology, AI technology has also evolved significantly. We believe this product represents a perfect opportunity to showcase what you can do when using the latest, most cutting-edge technology available. Sony aibo for the U.S. market includes the aibo companion robot and a three-year AI Cloud Plan. Sony also offers, separately, a fun assortment of aibo's toys available for individual purchase. Price: $2899.99.

Sony intro to new Aibo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=60&v=cB0K82sddE8&feature=emb_logo   

Giz Wiz Mini Video with Aibo: https://youtu.be/o81PpCzoeaE   

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

Roybi Robot billed as World’s 1st Smart Toy to Teach 7 Languages.

Here's info via the company with some comments from me in brackets: Designed for ages 3-7 Roybi Robothelps kids learn English, Spanish, Chinese (and more but these will be rolled out over the next few years) as a second language, through fun & play. Roybi Robot uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalized content to children based on their pace and interests. With over 500 lessons, including basic STEM, stories, games, and songs, Roybi Robot creates a fun and interactive learning experience for children. One unique thing (at least I haven't heard of this before) Roybi Robot's built-in camera can tell if your child is happy or sad and react to that emotion. ROYBI is a proud KidSafe member and COPPA Compliant to further secure the privacy of your child or student. At any time, users can manually shut off ROYBI’s camera or use the provided privacy cover. All audio and video deleted on the app will be erased on the device and the cloud. (That should be a help toward more privacy.)

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=92&v=MsOjuEcRd8E  

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Gadget For His New November Theme.

This is not the Kikkerland one, but an almost identical one. I picked this picture because it shows the scale of the mic to a hand.Chad's November theme, as picked by our loyal Patreons, is “tiny cheap gadgets”. This week Chad a really cute little microphone. The one he bought is branded as a Kikkerland Mini Karaoke Microphone. Chad got his a Kohls where it was listed as $19.99. Luckily it was on sale for $11.99. You have to see this week's show to see what we mean by mini. This microphone can easily be hidden in a closed fist! Listen to Chat's audio test too. The chatroom thought it sounded really good, especially for the price. And it seems Chad might have overpaid since similar mics are all over the web for $4 to $8. And just a buck or two over at AliExpress. But wait, there's more! Not only does this mic easily plug into a smarphone headphone jack, it has a headphone port on the cable so you can listen to playback without removing the mic from your phone.

And Chad's take: Chad was amazed at how good the sound was, especially for the price. But if you have an iPhone like Chad, you'll need to buy a Lightening to 3.5mm dongle in order to use it. It comes in many colors and it's so tiny it's sure to attract attention anywhere you use it. (Not that Chad & I ever try to attract attention.)

Here's the exact one Chad bought: https://kikkerland.com/products/mini-karaoke-microphone?_pos=1&_sid=48c8c07d0&_ss=r   

But you'll find similar ones way cheaper if you just search for mini 3.5mm microphone!

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video On Any Gadget!

This week's viewer video from Art Newman is our favorite kind of warehouse video. It show s two gadgets long gone, but too good to throw out even though they are no longer supported by the company that made and sold them!

Here's Art's email:

Subject: My Favorite Gadgets

From: Art Newman

Hi Dickie D & Chad,

Attached is a short video of a couple of relatively old gadgets in my own personal warehouse. They still power up but are unfortunately no longer supported for their intended use. Check out the video to find out what they are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORI0h560Ko4

See or hear this show:  www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1753

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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 hting? 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 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live, I can email an autographed to you Alfred E. Neuman photo 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!
All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv
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Letter of the week!

 Adam Jakowenko - jako

Hey Dick and Chad,

I was watching episode #1750 where you talked about the problem with Amazon leaving packages outside and I just thought I would share the product and solution that I have come up with. The problem that we had initially was packages being left out in front of the house, and one time it got stolen by someone. Then we complained about it so they started throwing the packages over our fence, and the dog was eating them. We were in a lose-lose situation. So then we did 4 things:

1) We purchased a package drop box that installs into your garage door or wall from a company called dVault. See product link below. We have the Package Drop Vault model.

2) we used an online company called fastsigns to make a custom sign that we put on our fence. See attached picture. It is an attempt to mitigate all of the problems that we have encountered with package delivery.

3) We also signed up for Amazon key, and have a smart garage opener so that Amazon can actually open our garage door and deliver packages. While this only works for Amazon, it does help the situation

4) We got a Nest Hello doorbell which not only recognizes people and let's us know when it seems someone, Google has recently added "package detections technology" that lets you know when it seems a package left on the ground.

Between the drop box, the sign, the doorbell, and Amazon Key, we have about a 95% success rate in our package deliveries across the board. The other 10% are people who are in such a rush so that they do not see the box, or read the sign, or ring the smart doorbell. I guess these people are just a lost cause, so whaddya gonna do.

Watch this week's show to see Adam's photos. And here's a link to the company that makes Package Vaults:

https://www.dvault.com/residential-mailboxes/

Love the show! -Adam in San Diego.