Even fun, useful gadgets at CES 2020!

New from Anker and designed especially for the iPhone 11 & 11 PRO.

Most folks know the iPhone 11 & 11 Pro take spectacular photos, but, being of the phone, the flash is limited. This new Anker MFi flash accessory uses the Lightning connector for tight synchronization with the iPhone rear camera & works with native camera app and 3rd party apps. Anker says it helps illuminate objects at 2x the range and 4x brightness. It ships with a detachable diffuser and a soft carry pouch. 10,000 shots per charge. Enables off-axis and direct fill flash lighting effects both with and without the detachable diffuser. 1/4” ISO mount for easy connection with other camera accessories. Recharge with any Apple, Anker, or MFi USB to Lightning cable. It can also be used independently as a stand-alone LED flashlight.

Tech Specs: Input Power: 5V / 0.5A / Battery: 700mAh / Cable Length: 1.5 m when extended, 25 cm when contracted / Dimensions: 1.75 x 1.5 x 1.65 in / 44.5 x 38 x 42 mm

Weight: 2.61 oz / 74 g. 5V / 0.5A. $49.99 Available end of January 2020. $49.99. Date may be pshed back from end of January to April because Anker told me they sold out the first production run very quickly.   

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3aPrUbI - Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This does not affect our reviews in any way and we purchase most gadgets we review.

Link to Anker info page: https://www.anker.com/ledflash?search=popup&keywords=popup_ledflash_200106

Move Over Alexa & Google Home, There's A New Potato In Town. (Well for a while, it's visiting CES from France.)

Meet the $34 Smart Potato cleverly named POTATO. As impossible as it sounds you can make any potato smart by inserting a blade-like device developed by Nicolas Baldeck. (Nicolas had a booth in the French section of Eureka Park at CES 2020.) Once the Smart Potato device is connected it uses 'potato energy' to power the Bluetooth antenna attached to the inserted electronic card. Then, as you'll see in the video, you can use your potato just like Alexa or Google Home. Just say “Hey Potato” and ask your question.

From the company: Gold electrodes are used to pick-up the potato brainwaves, which are immediately sent to the onboard Artificial Intelligence processor. This is the result of intensive research, including weeks of cloud processing and terabytes of big data training. POTATO decodes potato language and translate it into a Bluetooth connexion.

POTATO can instantly turn any organic spud into your new best friend smart assistant.

No more difficult decision making. Just open the mobile app, connect your phone to POTATO and ask your potato for wise advice. You can also monitor your potato health and feelings in real time.

POTATO is available for pre-orders on Indiegogo https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-world-s-first-smart-potato-smartpotato#/

Giz Wiz YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/VBBasTh0maA 

This weird gadget was a 'prank box', but now I found one that's for real!

It's the Aduro Phone Neck Holder Phone Mount to make your smart phone (up to 7") Hands Free. About a year ago I did a “prank box” gadget called Tech Neck, a way to wear your phone around your neck. But a Prank Box is an empty box showing a silly gadget that doesn't exist. You put your real gift inside. But recently I found The Aduro Lazy Phone Holder which pretty much does the same thing, but is for real! It's compatible with smartphone sizes up to 7", even with a case on it according to the company. My LG G6 with case fit fine with room to spare. This device holds the phone at an optimal viewing angle you set and it offers 360-degree rotation. I think it looks a bit goofy, but on an airplane or in bed I think it will work fine. You can wear it or even use it as a phone desk stand. Aduro adds: We made the Aduro neck cell phone mount with high-quality alloy, rugged ABS plastic and anti-skid shockproof breathable foam which makes your neck feel comfortable while giving you the best viewing experience. I paid about $11.00 online at the end of December.

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

 Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2PIPpdY ---- As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

This does not affect our reviews in any way and we purchase most gadgets we review.

The Tech Neck Prank Box is no longer available, but I think this one is funnier:

Hay in Needle Stack Family Board Game

Prank Pack | Wrap Your Real Holiday Gift in a Prank Funny Gag Joke Gift Box - by Prank-O - The Original Prank Gift Box | Awesome Novelty Gift Box for Any Adult or Kid! (Hayneedle)

PRANK GIFT BOXES at first appear to contain bizarre products from ridiculous companies. Simply put your real present inside the joke box and try to keep a straight face as you watch your friends and loved ones attempt to remain gracious while thanking you for the "GIFT". Then watch them explode with laughter when they discover their actual stuff inside and realize they have been pranked. $7.,99. Remember you're buying an empty box for $7.99, but the photography and fake box copy is very well done. You put your real gift inside. Dimensions: 11.25" X 9" X 3.25".

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2SmeUmS  

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Have a lot of old cassette tapes? Make them into new MP3 files!

Back in the days of disco I used to mix my own cassette tapes. Now I wanted to digitize them for my computer, tablet, phones, etc. So 40 years after I bought the first Sony Walkman cassette player for $180, I bought the Cassette Player,Cassette Tape to MP3 Converter, Via USB Portable Cassette Tape Converter.  Amazon adds: Captures MP3 Audio Music,with Headphones,Convert Walkman Tape Cassette Compatible with Mac / PC / Laptop. Here's some of features via Amazon: Convert cassette tapes to MP3 Format. USB cassette capture is a portable, hand-held USB tape player that works with all kinds of tapes. It has an easy-to-use USB connection for converting the music on your tapes into MP3 files or laptop CD. It runs on battery or when connected to USB power or connected to your computer, this cassette will not need a battery. Comes with software CD to guide you to convert your cassette tapes , Compatible with Windows XP, Vista 32bit /64bit/Windows 7/ 8/ 10. ---- From the Giz Wiz: It doesn't have a built-in speaker, but it does come with a set of cheap earbuds. The build quality is okay and the machine does have autoreverse, something I didn't expect for a machine that I paid $17.99 although it's on Amazon at all different prices, mostly higher than that.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/vIiZ7BHPZ_w

 Amazon: https://amzn.to/38uYsGG   As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.

I'm really attracted to these 'magnetic charging cables' & you may be too.

Amazon describes them as: Magnetic Phone Charger Cable, GARAS 3 in 1 Nylon Braided USB Fast Charging & Data Syncing Cord with LED Light Compatible with Mirco USB, Type C Smartphone and iProduct (3.9 ft-Red). Here's a bit more of what Amazon says about them: GARAS round magnetic charging cable support QC 2.0/3.0 quick charge, data sync speed up to 480Mbps. And my take? I like these a lot. The charging tips are so small you can leave them in the device and then just connect the magnetic cable depending on which one you want to charge. An LED light lets you know there's power in the cable. The cable comes with 3 different types of magnetic cable tips: USB Type C, Micro-USB and i-Product. I paid $8.99. I also bought a magnetic charging Cafele cable, but when I connected that one to my LG G7 the screen said: “slow charging – 2+ hours”. When I switched to the Garas cable the screen said: “full charge - 53 minutes.”

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/mlydOkuE5Ik

This is the one I bought: https://amzn.to/2DZkJhH 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases.