Giz Wiz Show #1534 September 3rd, 2015, our 18th Independently Produced Giz Wiz Show.

If you'd like to support Chad & DickDe in our independent venture, 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!

Hey everyone, smile! Even if you're standing behind me, because I'm shooting in 360 degrees!

I attended a press event shortly before I put today's Giz Wiz Show together. To save time here's some info on their new THETA S 360 degree camera, directly from Ricoh and some 360 degree video I shot using it at the link below. It's September 3, 2015 and Ricoh announces the RICOH THETA S, the newest model in the RICOH THETA series of spherical cameras that capture 360-degree scenes surrounding the user. The RICOH THETA S captures high-resolution spherical images of up to nearly 14 megapixels. It can also record spherical video in full HD (1920 x 1080*1 pixels at 30fps) with a maximum recording time of 25 minutes. The better quality images are enabled by an enlarged image sensor and fast F2.0 lenses to allow more light through Ricoh’s proprietary ultra-small twin-lens folded-optical system. Spherical images can be uploaded and share via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and posted to Google Maps, Google+ and YouTube 360°Channel. The application program interface (API) for RICOH THETA S is based on Google-supported Open Spherical Camera API for compatibility with Google’s services. Coinciding with the launch of the RICOH THETA S, Google Maps today introduced the new Google Street View app that allows you to capture and publish your photo spheres instantly to Google Maps for people all over the world to explore. It should be available by November and the MSRP is $349.00. The black camera in the photo is the new S model. More info on it and the lower cost color models are on the company website.

Company website: http://www.theta360.com/

Giz Wiz 360 video: https://youtu.be/rKIFeirXfBc

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534 (Goes live late Friday 9/3/15)

Never rake leaves again ---

Or trim branches, water or prune these Juniper trees. Why? Because they're fake. After last winter in NYC killed both the small evergreen trees we had in the backyard, we thought we would try a couple of artificial trees. We found a couple we liked at Wayfair.com and bought them. See if you think they look real in this Giz Wiz video. Here's info from Wayfair where we bought our trees: The National Tree Co. Juniper Upright Desk Top Plant in Pot is a great option for places that otherwise cannot support real plants. The lush green shade of the upright juniper creates nice contrast with the dark green color of the planter. The weather resistant finish on the faux plant makes it possible to keep it outdoor. The show piece is fade resistant, shatter proof, water resistant and even fire resistant. Since this is an artificial plant, you can keep it anywhere without worrying about triggering any allergic reactions. Easy to maintain; a gentle gush of air from a blower is all that it takes to clean the plant. You can also clean it with a duster. This artificial plant will keep looking fresh and beautiful for a long long time and makes for a great gift. And now back to me. So far Dennis & I love these trees. How will they fair through the winter? We'll find out in the coming months. One thing we know for sure. Last winter the cold and ice killed our two live evergreen trees. The weather can't kill these faux plants. Price for the 30" Juniper is around $85 to $90 and that includes free 2-day delivery. 

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/B4IQXQjdCrU

Wayfair link: http://www.wayfair.com/National-Tree-Co.-Juniper-Upright-Desk-Top-Plant-in-Pot-LCY4-30-LCY4-36-NTC1318.html

Here's the Juniper Globe Desk Top Plant we also bought: http://www.wayfair.com/National-Tree-Co.-Juniper-Globe-Desk-Top-Plant-in-Pot-LCB4-20-LCB4-24-NTC1317.html

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534 (Goes live late Friday 9/3/15)

Like to take naps? Here's a gadget you'll like!

I talked about this device, The Napper, on The Giz Wiz more than 4 years ago. I thought for sure it was time for it to go to Dick's Gadget Warehouse. I did a web search to see if the company was still in business and found that the Napper was now available on Amazon and doing quite well. If you love naps, you'll love the Napper. It’s a fully functioning digital clock and alarm with a feature other alarm clocks don't have: The Fastest & Easiest Way To Set A Nap Alarm. Setting a standard alarm clock for a simple afternoon snooze is not only a hassle, but it is a waste of your nap time. With the Napper Clock you simply hit the top nap times to give yourself 15, 30 or 60 minutes of nap time. Or if you want 45 minutes, just hit the 15 & the 30 button. If you want 2 hours just hit the 60 button twice. The time option is your choice and it shows up on the face of the clock, along with the time of day. It really is simple! If you make a mistake or need to adjust your nap time allotted, just hit the clear button and start over. And the Napper is also a regular alarm clock with a snooze bar and excellent backlighting with a hit of the button. You'll never had to worry that the nap alarm will interfere with your regular alarm. Both operations are completely different, and you can see both the regular time and your nap time at the same! Great for back to college or for anyone who knows how great a good nap can be! $14.99. And now zzzzz-z--zzzzz.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/rzUWmrLekW4 

No longer available.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534

Chad's Crappy Corner and a brand new theme for September, Spy Gadgets.

Chad polled our Patreon supporters and for his September theme they selected is “spy gadgets.”

And Chad's first spy gadget of the month is: The Toughsty Smoke Detector Hidden Spy Camera DVR Security Nanny Camcorder Motion Detection with Remote Control (with 8GB card).

Here's a bit of what Amazon says about it:

The Excellent TOUGHSTY Spy Motion Detection Camera.

(Use it) -To collect crime evidence or monitor the condition of your house, office when you're going out, guaranteeing the personal & property safety of your family and yourself.

-It features easy operation, sensitive response, HD clear pictures and Motion Detective Recording.

-This fully functional Spy Motion Detection Camera is a masterpiece of engineering, worthy of any special agent. $35.19. And Amazon Prime.

And Chad's take? Although it looked okay and could fool someone into thinking it was a real Smoke Detector Chad found it couldn't fool him into thinking it was really a good spy device. First of all the location of the camera is bad. If you installed this Spy Camera Device in the same place you'd install a smoke detector and recorded video you wouldn't see much of anything of someone coming into your home or apt. The camera lens field of view is way too narrow and the placement of the camera is bad. Also the audio recording is terrible. When Chad played back some audio he recorded you could hardly hear him. It sounded like a giant fan was running in the background, but there wasn't any fan. Reviews on Amazon confirmed everything Chad said. Out of 15 reviews it only got two stars out of five. You've been warned. This Crappy Corner IS all about a piece of crap!

No longer available. 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534

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

You probably know the name QuickCam as a line of webcam video cameras produed by Logitech. But Quickcam had a life before Logitech. The original QuickCam was developed by Connectix in 1994 and it was the first widely marketed webcam-like device. I had two QuickCams by Connectix, the original under $100 black and white model, and then the $250 color Quickcam. My first version connected via a parallel cable. The color version might have been a USB connector, but I'm not quite sure. Here's a bit more about Connectix via our friends at Wikipedia. The Connectix Quickcam initial model was available only for the Apple Macintosh, connecting to it via the serial port. It produced 16 shades of gray at a resolution of 320×240 pixels, and could record video at about 15 frames per second; it cost $100. The software that originally shipped with the camera included QuickMovie for recording motion pictures and QuickPICT for capturing still images. The QuickCam product line was acquired by Logitech in 1998. The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one current model officially supporting Mac or including Mac drivers. This could largely be the result of Apple building webcams into their laptop and desktop computers, negating the need for external third party devices. Many recent models implement the USB video device class standard and work under Mac OS without additional drivers. Today, Logitech QuickCam is one of the world's most recognized webcam brands. StevesAntFarm.com is the longest continuously running webcam using a QuickCam. Started in January 1995 and continues to this day. In October 2010, QuickCam was elected to Time Magazine's Top 100 Gadgets of all Time.  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534

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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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Letter of the week:

From: Stephane Duteriez

Subject: usb switch 

Watching the show and the problem, I thought about the switch use to connect a keyboard to several PC like this one http://www.delock.de/produkte/F_390_Switch_87634/merkmale.html?setLanguage=en.  I wonder if they work in the other direction with several device link to one PC. You probably would need to converter from type A usb to type B. 

Thanks for the show, Stéphane Duteriez from France. 

DON'T FORGET THE NYC MEET-UP with Dick De and OMGChad.....   Sunday, October 11, 2015, 2-4 PM.

Boat Basin Cafe. www.boatbasincafe.com.  Games, prizes, and free. If you'd like to come, just drop me an email so we can an idea of how much room we'll need at the Boat Basin Cafe. Just put "Meet Up" in the subject line, or meet-up + (whatever number you'll be bringing.)  Email me at gizwizbiz@aol.com.