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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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    The Giz Wiz is a weekly guest on The Tech Guy Show with -- who else? - The Tech Guy himself, Leo Laporte.

    Leo Laporte & I chat about some sort of fun or weird gadget weekly his The Tech Guy Radio Show. The show is syndicated by Premiere to over 180 radio stations around the country. Leo's closing in on 1.5 million listeners! I'm on the Saturday Show with The Giz Wiz Gadget of the Week. My spot is on about 1:45 PM PST / 4:45 PM EST. 

    And if you watch The Tech Guy stay tuned. Because after the Tech Guy Show  Leo does The New Screen Savers Show, and then I return to do Giz Fiz PM, a show with viewer questions, Match Game questions, videos, guest of the week and more! That starts when New Screen Saver ends..about 5:00 PM PST/ 8:00 PM EST. Watch it all at

    http://www.twitlive.tv/

    All The Tech Guy Labs show notes, shows & info can be found here:

    http://techguylabs.com/radio/ 

    Below are the gadgets we've talked about on the show.

    Saturday
    Apr092016

    A unique way to be able to hear the sound from your TV clearer and louder.

    Turtle Beach, famous for their video game accessories, has a very interesting product which can offers welcomed help to those with hearing loss. It's called the HyperSound Clear audio system and it has the ability to direct a beam of clear sound so that only the person(s) in the 'sweet spot' can hear it. The kit includes a controller module and a pair of thin-film reflecting speakers. They can be used with standard TV speakers or a home theater setup. The amazing thing is that only the person at the HyperSound sweet spot hears the beamed 3-D-like sound. I had a quick demo which proved to me it works. I walked over to couch and stood at the sweet spot, but couldn't hear the sound. But as soon as I sat down into the 'sweet spot" I could hear fine. The object is that the person who needs to hear better can sit in that seat and enjoy a significant benefit in the ability to understand TV program dialogue or the music or whatever." A HyperSound Clear system isn't cheap, priced at about $1,675. But it's not so bad when you consider hearing aids run into the thousands. You may have actually heard this technology at Best Buy and some other retail display kiosks for the video game blockbuster Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. That application allows customers to hear video game audio when they approach the display but to not distract other shoppers throughout the store. 

    http://hypersound.com/

     

    company demo: 
    http://hypersound.com/media/video/What%20is%20HyperSound%20Clear.mp4

    Saturday
    Apr022016

    An exciting new programmable espresso machine from Capresso.

    In the video below you'll see me play 'barista' and use the Capresso Ultima Pro (which became available March, 2016) to make espressos and cappuccino. It's great looking machine with programmable cup sizes for 1 or 2 espressos. On the top of the machine there's a handy cap warming tray. On the front are five easy to see illuminated icons. For easy in making espressos, there's a self-tamping portafilter. And on the left side of this high-tech machine is a powerful frothing wand for latte and cappuccino. Open the top lid for the 34-oz. removable water tank and for the integrated storage space for accessories. There's even a hot water function for tea. There are stainless steel accents and an even an automatic shut-off after 30 minutes. Best of all is the price, under $200. There's about the price of 30 to 40 coffee specialty drinks at your favorite place.       

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

    Capresso website: http://www.capresso.com/ultima-pro.html  

    Saturday
    Mar262016

    A trash can that can help you vacuum up dust!

    Okay, so you heard about the connected home, and the connected car, even the connected watch. But I bet you never heard about the connected trash can! Take a trash can + vacuum and you get Bruno: The World’s First SmartCan.This device is pretty neat. When you're sweeping, and it's time to get of the dust, just sweep it up to the opening at the bottom of the Bruno SmartCan and built in sensors will turn on a vacuum that's also built in. Not only does the vacuum suck up the dust, but it's funneled up the back of the Bruno device and into the trash bag! But wait, there's more!! There's also a WiFi enabled model that adds alerts you when you need to empty the trash bag, or when you're running out of trash bags. The alerts are sent to you via a smartphone app. Bruno is on preorder now at a discount price of $129 for the standard vacuum model, or for $179 if you want the WiFi enabled model. I believe the sale price is through the end of March, 2016, but you can check their website at the link below. 

    Company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7rMGzHgAtw

    Company website: www.brunosmartcan.com

    Saturday
    Mar192016

    A round of LOUD applause for this gadget?

    When I walked by a booth at Toy Fair with racks of strange looking gloves, I just had to stop and find out what they were. Turns out they're Fan Hands. You can find them on Amazon. And here's what Amazon says about them: Want to make noise? Want to show that you're the "Ultimate Fan"? Fan Hands is the product for you! The foundation of Fan Hands is a pair of specially designed gloves that have hard plastic pieces adhered to the palms and fingers. This enables the user to create a higher sound level than simply clapping their hands. Fan Hands are great noise-makers for sporting events, concerts, fun runs/walks, and any event where applause is needed! Fan Hands are made in the USA of a breathable, polyester fabric. Fan Hands - "The Ultimate Fan's Accessory are on the company website. 

    Fan Hans commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx0ctVeZxpY

     

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

    Saturday
    Mar122016

    Lionel Trains Take A New Look At Track With Their Latest Introduction.

    Lionel is expanding beyond model trains with the introduction of Mega Tracks, a revolutionary rail system where kids can use their imagination to design and build their own race courses! Utilizing a new clamp and construction system, kids can build anywhere, including on the floor, attached to furniture, or even handheld to create one-of-a-kind race courses. In addition to building their own track, kids can also create their own stunts by twisting the aptly named TwisTrack, a new flexible track system. Once the layout and stunts are built, kids can send the rail racer vehicle into high speed action, using a handheld RC controller to adjust the speed of the vehicle and keep it on the track. The master set includes 20 feet of TwisTrack, 55 construction pieces to build customized track layouts, a Rail Racer vehicle and charger, a handheld RC controller, plus track clamps and connectors. MSRP: $99.99. Recommended Age: 8+. Availability: Fall 2016

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/s5wP-8DdApI

     

    Company Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm0j5vJANJQ