The Giz Wiz Show, Sept 10th, 2013, Netcast 1433

Another Look At The Bose Sound Link Mini.

It was back in June when I first learned about the Bose Sound Link Mini. Here's a bit of what I wrote back then: This is a brand new compact Bluetooth speaker A2DP speaker system. During the demo one of the folks from Bose walked around with the device in his hand, playing an unbelievable amount of music for the size. It measures just 2” x 7” x 2.3”. It weighs about the same as an average tablet at 1.5 pounds. An anodized aluminum housing is designed to resist scratches and is strong and durable enough for the rigors of everyday use. Several engineering advancements are integrated in the SoundLink Mini enclosure: two new passive radiators feature a patented surround to reproduce the lowest low notes. And new Bose transducers move twice the volume of air as conventional same-size transducers to deliver clear mid- and high frequencies. The SoundLink Mini speaker comes with a charging cradle, making it easy to grab-and-go, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to seven hours of listening away from power. Accessory soft covers in orange, green and blue. A travel bag is also available. Price is $199.95.

UPDATE: The SoundLink Mini is now available. Bose sent me a product sample so I could experience the sound using my own music. I must admit the musical reproduction for the size of the unit is amazing. At a party recently I brought a few people at time into the Gizneyland studio. I didn't let them see the SoundLink Mini, but instead just played some music behind them. Then I had them turn around to see where the music was coming from. Everyone was astounded when I pointed to the tiny SoundLink Mini as the source of the music. They were amazed again at the price, $199. That’s low for a Bose product, and everyone had guessed it had cost $50 to $100 more. If you get a chance to hear one at a Bose store, I think you’ll be surprised too at the huge amount of sound from a tiny device. 

www.bose.com 

Giz Wiz Video: (This was shot three months ago at the Bose announcement of the SoundLink Mini. It was shot with my PivotHead Glasses, so please forgive my jerky moves! And we were at Grand Central Terminal, not Grand Central Station.  http://youtu.be/7k0550CX41Q

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Giz Wiz Video Of The Week: The "Amazing(?)" Pocket Chair.

You've probably seen the commercial for the Amazing Pocket Chair, it’s the chair that lets you sit anywhere! And it’s not only the chair “As Seen On TV”, it’s also the chair that fits in your pocket. That’s assuming you have a pocket about 10” deep and 6.5” wide; a pocket that can hold more than a pound and a half! Once the Pocket Chair is unfolded and locked in position (and wow, is that a chore – be sure the watch the video) you can then take a seat anywhere (along as it’s flat and smooth). But once seated, don’t move around, because the seat area is only 6” wide. The company says it’s ultra strong and can hold up to 250 lbs. But how comfortable is 250 pounds on a seat that’s 6” wide and 12” long. Also the chair is only about a foot off the ground once it’s assembled, so you have to lower yourself a lot to sit. It’s not that easy getting up and off the Pocket Chair either. The instructions include lots of warnings about ‘watching your fingers’ when you assemble it, not falling off it, or exceeding the weight limit which “may result in death or serious injury”. A fun chair indeed. I guess it is better than no chair, but watch the video and read the Amazing Pocket Chair reviews on Amazon before you decide. As one reviewer put it: “The Amazing part is that they sell it!” Me? I like the nice red color of the seat.

Giz Wiz Pocket Chair Video: http://youtu.be/rmO2X1vQgnk

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Want to carry your cell phone & maybe a credit card or hotel key? Here's one way to do it.

If you want to carry your hotel key & a credit card or two with your cell phone you should know about MoGo2Go. It's billed as the mobile phone case + wallet in one.  Actually the company sent me a product sample, and although it can serve as a wallet function, it’s really not a phone case. It attaches to the back of your phone with 3M adhesive. It’s made of a high-quality silicone. The pocket slits is said to hold up to 3 cards, but I was able to get just two cards in. But a lot will depend on the thickness of your credit cards, hotel key, etc. Also my MoGo2Go is brand new and will probably stretch out a bit over time. Because it’s made of silicone you won’t have to worry about it demagnetizing ID cards, credit cards and hotel room keys. It’s great for when you want to gallivant around town handbag or wallet-free! MoGo2Go says it fits the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4. But it actually will fit any flat backed cell phone measuring 57 x 91 mm. That translates roughly to 2.25” X 3.60”. The company says the MoGo2Go can be easily removed without leaving a mark or sticky residue. It’s $4.95 and is available in black or white. It ships for free.

www.mogo2go.com.

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Leo's Crap! (But sometimes it's good. Occassionally, very good!)

This week we take a break from crap discovered by Jeff Needles and turn the gadget-getting to our very own producer, Jason Howell! I never know what Leo’s gadget is going to be before the show. This time Leo didn’t know what the gadget would be either, until Jason handed it to him on the show. It turned out to be the Sidewinder. Here’s what the company that makes the Sidewinder, Zatchu Bags, said about their product when it was first introduced: “Sidewinder is here. It came out great. Strap it on and strut like a rooster.” And that’s what Leo did. The Zatchu Bags’ “Sidewinder” straps to your waist and one leg and provides pockets to holds a 7-inch tablet (like the Nexus 7 or a Kindle or an iPad mini) and a smart phone. It comes in black and very dark blue stretch denim. The pocket dimensions are 9″ x 6-3/4″ and it’s designed to fit waist sizes 28″ up to 36″. I don’t know Leo’s waist size but it’s probably a touch bigger than 36”. But being a trooper he put it on. He said he thought it made him like weird. I think part of the problem is that Leo was wearing tan pants, so the dark Sidewinder did look out of place. He showed us that it did indeed hold his 7” Samsung Note and one of his smart phones. Although Leo wasn’t in love with it, Liz was. She gladly modeled it, and it looked way better on her. Leo said Liz could keep it, and she danced all through the studio proudly showing off her Sidewinder. It’s $49, plus shipping.

http://bags.zatchu.com/sidewinder/

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Dick's Gadget Warehouse & Another Viewer's Video. Plus how to submit yours!

Video submissions start with an email, like this one:

Hey Dick,  I've been a big fan of the show from the beginning, and you and Leo always crack me up!

So when you started asking for videos of old gadgets, I just had to send this in.  It's my Handspring Visor with Sprint phone attachment.  It was a 'smartphone' way back in 2003!  Hope you like it, and I'd be honored if you used it in a Giz Wiz show. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sls5OKnIpLs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 Jon Kingston

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1433

                              +++++

We'd love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show.

Here's what we're looking for: Your home made Videos -- two to three minutes long - in the 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.

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 something you just bought too.

Post them on YouTube and send our producer, Jason, the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long, 4 MAX! Low production value is fine. Even welcomed! That way our stuff doesn't look bad by comparison. We've set the bar low. Don't trip over it.

NEW! NEW! NEW! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you will now be awarded with some sort of prize. It's Leo's way to get rid of all the "crap from Sky Mall" he's collected. So there's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video!

All show submissions go to gizwiz@twit.tv

Letter of the Week:

I had to comment about one of the gadgets you reviewed on this week's show. I am talking about the forehead thermometers.

I am a Pediatrician, and I (and my patients) would like to measure temperatures in the least uncomfortable way possible. I do not know if your specific thermometers were studied, but other forehead crystal thermometers have been found to be inaccurate, and I do not recommend them to my patients. Jason's use of the old fashioned thermometer under the armpit works well enough. The ear thermometers or the new temporal scanning thermometers (swipes across the forehead) are also accurate. (I included links to 2 examples, but many more are out there)

http://www.target.com/p/graco-1-second-ear-thermometer/-/A-13370394?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C13370394&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=13370394&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13370394&gclid=CJb_vMuHurkCFQai4AodoQEAZg

http://www.target.com/p/exergen-temporal-scanner-infrared-thermometer/-/A-13009184?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C13009184&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=13009184&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13009184&gclid=CJbPhaKHurkCFYyi4AodHngAEA

I'm no Dr. Mom, but if you have any questions in my area of expertise, feel free to send them my way and I'll try and answer them for you. Thanks again!

Ian (Rhymes with Brian) Winkler

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