The Giz Wiz Show 1641 for Sept 22nd 2017, Our124th Independent Production.

We're 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.  

This week we look at the last three fun gadgets from the Family & Kids Tech Show, NYC. BUT the order of the show will be a little different. We'll still talk about five gadgets but not in the usual order. The explanation will be clear when you watch the show.

At the “Tech Will Save You” display, they had about a dozen fun kits designed to spark imagination among kids 4 and up. Here's is a bit about the company and a link to dozens of their fun kits.

We are on a mission to spark the creative imagination of young people using hands on technology. Our award winning make-it-yourself kits and digital tools help kids (and the adults that love them) to make, play, code and invent using technology. We started small, around our kitchen table, and have now built a company of 28 passionate designers, educators, engineers and problems solvers – obsessed with inspiring kids and empowering parents to become creators of technology. We have different make it yourself kits and hundreds of digital tools and projects to support kids in learning through play. We have sparked the imaginations of kids in over 87 countries around the world. We work closely with children to design our kits, engaging in large scale research projects before beginning on design & manufacture. We often get asked about our name and if we actually think technology will save us… The answer is that we believe diverse, creative and empowered kids and families will save us and technology will be at the heart of how they do this!

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/6bVhOaqsMT4

Read about individual kits, what they do and what they teach:

www.techwillsaveus.com

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2xI5bOt As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1641

A fun boost in playtime with Lego's new Boost Building System.

I saw this gadget for the 1st time at the Family & Kid's Tech Expo, so I'm relying on Lego for the description. Here's what Lego says about their new product: (Released August 2017) Combine the versatile LEGO building system with advanced technology to boost your creativity with the awesome LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox. Download the free tablet app to your device and follow the step-by-step instructions to build and code any of the 5 multifunctional models. Experience Vernie the Robot - a moving and talking robot; the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4) - a robust, versatile rover with 4 different tool attachments including a spring-loaded shooter; the Guitar4000 - a musical instrument with pitch bend and sound effects; Frankie the Cat - an interactive pet that plays, purrs and expresses its mood; or the Auto Builder - an automated production line that really builds miniature LEGO models! Bring your creations to life with the app's intuitive, icon-based coding interface and complete an array of exciting activities designed for each model. This set also includes a playmat for use with specific activities, and a LEGO BOOST wall poster! For a list of of all compatible devices, check out LEGO.com/DeviceCheck. The kit is $159.95 and although it's only been out for about a month when this was written, it has 55 reviews on Amazon, averaging 3.8 out of 5 stars.   

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

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

Company Link: www.lego.com/boost

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1641

Chad's Crappy Corner & Another Patreon Gadget Request.

This week another loyal Patreon supporter suggested that Chad buy and try the Zoku Emoji Ice Cube Tray.

First, here's what Amazon said about it: Add Ten Extraordinary, Lively Emoticon Ice To Your Next Party'S Punch Bowl With Zoku'S Cool Moji Ice Tray Or Use For Everyday Ice. It'S Sure To Bring On A Laugh! While Filling And Transporting The Ice Molds, The Tray Will Keep It Steady And Prevent Spills. Once Frozen, Remove The Ice Mold From The Tray To Easily Invert The Silicone, Releasing The Expressive Faces-No Rinsing Required!

And Chad's take? Well, the pictures of the ice cubes on Amazon are far different from the sort of washed out images you'll see on the ice cubes Chad made. The ice tray itself is nice, and the tray holder supports the silicone section so it doesn't droop, but the ice cubes are a disappointed. They work best if you have a vivid imagination! Strangely I couldn't find the exact emoji ice cube tray Chad showed, but I found a bunch more, some with better ratings:

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

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1641

Before our final gadget, here's this week's "Dick's Gadget Warehouse" & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

We're doing the Gadget Warehouse out of our ordinary line-up this week, because our video asks a question at end - to which The Giz Wiz has an answer. And that answer will be our final gadget this week. First here's our viewer video.

Subject: Phone Graveyard:

Dear Dick & Chad,

Here is a link to a short video I was inspired to make whilst sorting out my junk cupboard. It’s a collection of items from my phone graveyard. Not particularly unusual but you might find it worth using. 

Realised now I called it an ipod shuffle and I think its actually a nano. 

https://youtu.be/RPNaCbXbieE  

Cheers - Richard Warriner - Bedfordshire, UK 

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1641

What can you do with older smartphones you no longer use?

Yes, we're doing things a bit out of order this week. It was quite a coincidence when Richard Warriner who created this week's warehouse video ended with wondering “what can you do with old smart phones you no longer use. Bingo! I have an answer, and that's why I put the PixlPhone after the warehouse video. 

I bet you have one or more older smart phones around that you don't know what to do what. Here's a perfect answer. Especially if you have very young kids. It's called Pixlplay and it's under $30. Pixlplay turns your older smartphone into a fun kids’ camera. It safely protects your Apple or Android device (not included of course) while encouraging creative and active play through photography. It features rubber grips, a wrist strap, focus lens & film advance with clicking sound for pretend play and includes craft activity sheets w/stickers. Now it won't fit any of the larger, new smartphones, but I doubt if you're youngster to have that anyway. That's a list of all the smartphone that work with the Pixlplay on their website. Two old Galaxy smart phone I have are on that list. But I had trouble using the shutter button to take take a picture on both my old Galaxy S4 and S5 phones. After hooking the cable in the Pixlplay to the headphone jack as instructed each Galaxy went into 'zoom in' mode when the shutter button on the Pixlplay was pushed. The work around for that may be described on their website which says “Some Android phones require setting up the shutter button to be controlled by the volume button and the rear (selfie camera) may be covered." That may solve the problem, but I didn't have a chance to try that. But iPhones which I guess work differently should be fine. I think young kids will love this camera and it's under $30. Be sure to watch the company video and then my video talking about my experience with two Galaxy smartphones.

Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvpnNpziHRw

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/22bm0YSiKF4 

Will your old smartphone work?  https://pixltoys.com/pages/faqs

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1641

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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.

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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. 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:

Hi Dick,

I believe about a year ago you talked about a portable icemaker that you put on your countertop and it made a lot of ice very quickly but it needed to be nearest sink, which is fine. I think you said it was on Amazon but I've been on able to find it can you point me in the right direction with the correct link?

I broke my collarbone and now I have to keep icing it and that icemaker would be a big help.

Thank you! Sandy

I could only find two ice machines on The Giz Wiz Show:

The Opal $499.99 here: https://firstbuild.com/products/opal/

And the Rosewill Countertop Ice Maker here: http://amzn.to/2xgd3oI

Read the latest update here. I have send mine back for refund: http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/tech-guy-labs/2017/8/25/got-ice-we-do.html