The Giz Wiz, who has never owned a car in this life, visits the New York International Auto Show.

Since I'm not planning on buying a car (probably ever - I live in the heart of New York City) I go to the International Auto Show looking for the unusual and inventive, and that's easy to find there. For example, I love the Concept Cars and we'll talk about and see video of two of them.

The Toyota says their FT-4X Concept is a Modern 4x4 Toolbox for the Most Intrepid Urbanites. With its long list of unique functionalities and compact design, the FT-4X is the seamless conduit of popular Casualcore – rather than hardcore – outings by anyone, anytime. As you'll see in the video, many devices are multi-functional, like domelights that popout and become flashlights. One of my favorites is the rear hatch, an engineering marvel they call Multi-Hatch, it opens horizontally in Urban Mode, and vertically in Outdoor Mode. Urban Mode splits the hatch in half and makes for easier curbside gear loading when clearance is limited. Outdoor Mode opens the one-piece hatch upward, creating an impromptu shelter from the elements. A satisfying mechanical touch is a rotating handle that users turn to select its opening mode. Also in this concept car, one of the panels holds cold items, and the other panel, hot items. Watch the video to see more of the features. Again, as a concept car, it may nver see the light of production. But components of this car could make it into future models.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/p2ZQMRzalfQ

Designing the Toyota FT-4X Concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXCYJgw6Efg

Nissan goes to the dogs - in a fun way, with their concept car for pets.

The Nissan Rogue Dogue concept car, is a car fitted for your four-legged friend. Nissan says their Rogue Dogue is the "pawfect" Rogue project vehicle for Fido-friendly family travel. Built by Dennis McCarthy, car coordinator for the Fast & Furious films, the Rogue Dogue has special equipment that includes built-in food and water dishes, custom removable dog bed, harness clips, built-in poop bag dispenser, slide-out cargo area access ramp, 360-degree dog wash shower and an integrated dog-drying system. A survey of 400 dog owners shows 83 percent say it is just as important for their dog to be safe and comfortable in their vehicle as  other  passengers. 

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

 Company website: https://www.nissanusa.com/

Gadgets from Digital Focus, the Spring Pepcom Event that took place in New York City, on April 6th, 2017.

We'll start with one of the strangest gadgets ever called Tapdo!

Tapdo is a way to turn your hand in to sort-of remote control. Here's how the company describes it: Tapdo is a smart button that lets you control technology with single-touch, personalized biometric interactions. Using a fingerprint sensor, Tapdo allows you to assign specific functions to different parts of your fingers, to control your music, dim your smart lights, and more. Powered by Bluetooth LE and equipped with vibration feedback for a seamless, intuitive user experience, And back to me. To my mind, you need one heck of a memory to use this fully. The company says you can control up to 23 functions on each hand by touching various part of the fingers and palms to the Tapdo. Seems like a lot to remember to me although you can help by selecting a finger for a device. Like choosing one finger to be your "music finger". Parts of the same finger can select songs and adjusting volume up/down. It's on Kickstarter now (4/13/17) and should be shipping final units in Fall, 2017. I was told at the show that the battery is not rechargeable, but it is replaceable and should power the Tapdo for about six months . The spokesperson at Digital Focus also said it will sell for about $108.00, which includes a belt clip and a wrist strap.

Demo Kickstarter Video: http://kck.st/2mA9eWy

Company website: http://www.tapdo.io/

Giz Wiz w/ more info about TapDo: https://youtu.be/d37o-leDXww 

Ever get tired of screwing?

Okay, so that silly headline was just to get you to read this. But wait, this is interesting! The new WORX SD SemiAutomatic Driver tool is different from other drivers on the market. It features a six slot revolving chamber that rotates screw-driving bits in and out as you pump the handle.Shift from slotted to Phillips or square recess without ever touching the bit. How? Inside the tool’s body is a rotating circular cartridge that holds six 1-inch hex-shanked bits. Slide back the magazine (cover) to advance a bit into the chamber, release, and slide the cover forward and it’s ready to drive screws. Each bit is stored in the cartridge, so no more lost or missing bits. It comes with six of the most common bits, but since 1-inch hex-shanked bits are widely available, you can customize the cartridge to meet your own needs. It's powered by a 4V Lithiumion built-in battery, which can hold a charge for up to 18 months. But wait, there's more! There's a magnetic Screw Holder feature to easy hold a screw in place as you power drive it into your project. Plus there's an LED light to illuminate the work area, plus a forward/reverse rotation button. The 1.0 lb. tool has a ¼-in. chuck, a no-load speed of 230 rpm with a maximum torque of 27 in-lbs. This is designed for light to medium projects around the house, not for heavy-duty projects. MSRP: X255L, $34.99

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/9jzVYcpqKJk

Company Website: http://www.worx.com/

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2pvS3UB

Another way to find lost items. Let a Pixie help you.

Unlike other Bluetooth tracking systems, the Pixie wireless tracker uses a mesh network to help you find your stuff. That means each tracker talks to any other trackers in the area to make searches faster. It also lets you use an augmented reality view to virtually see your missing things. Here are a few of the steps you'll need to do. (And right now there is only an iOS app.) Scan your location slowly while staying in place just like you are taking a panorama picture. Keep the shadowed arrow as close as possible to the solid one. If the red arrow appears you are going too fast. Immediately after the App locates the searched item, Augmented Reality (AR) mode is presented. Pixie finds the general location of your item. At the end of Panorama Scan, Turn right or Turn left message is displayed, to guide you to your item. Pixie Dust image shows you where the Pixiefied item is hiding. When you’re within 5 feet of your lost item, a series of beeps, similar to a metal detector, takes you right to it. You need at least two Pixie devices to start. Pixie 2 Pack + free iPhone case $49.99. One Pixie Point must be used on your phone. The 2nd goes on a device you want to be able to locate.   
 

Company website & video: https://getpixie.com/

How it works: https://getpixie.com/pages/how-it-works