From Global Pet Expo, a very techie microchip cat door.

Pet-Mate had an amazing assortment of electronic Pet Doors at Global Pet Expo. They manufacture them for dogs and cats, but one of the most advanced is their Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door. It uses R.F.I.D. technology to offer major advancements in pet access control. To enter the house, the animal must have a Microchip ID from a Veterinarian implanted in the cat’s neck, or a unique Cat Mate electronic Collar I.D. Disc (not included). Any animal can exit through the door, provided the 4 way electronic lock is not set to ‘In Only’ or ‘Locked’. The door can be programmed for up to 9 cats, which will keep strays and the neighbor’s cats out. The LCD display shows selected entry and exit lock status, cat location and time since the flap was last used - for up to 3 cats. Cat location is indicated via arrows, which show the last direction of cat, toward indoors or outdoors. The cat door also features a timer function. You could set it for say 11 PM to 7 AM which will keep cats in at night. Uses 4 AA batteries which should power the cat door for 6 to 9 months. (Batteries not included.) Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Door has a MSRP of $199.95. There are many other high tech cat and dog doors starting as low as $24 at the company website:

http://www.pet-mate.com/  

It’s not a toy, but it was at Toy Fair!

One that was getting an awful lot of attention at the Javits Center was the IO Hawk, which the company calls the revolution in personal transportation.  Basically the IO Hawk is similar to a Segway, minus the standup handlebar and dashboard. The IO Hawk is lighter too, at about 22 pounds. Having ridden a Segway briefly in a huge ballroom at a press event, and just standing on an IO Hawk at the Javits, I'd says it takes a bit more practice to balance on the IO Hawk. The standup handlebar, much larger wheels, plus a bigger platform to stand-on, makes the Segway feel more secure when you first get on. I think there's a much longer learning cuvre with the IO Hawk, but there are things you can do with it, than you can do with a Segway. The IO Hawk goes forward when you lean forward, and back when you lean back. You stop by standing up straight. That's similiar to a Segway. But at 22 pounds you can take the IO Hawk with you pretty much any place. The weight load is 265 pounds and the spokesperson said you can go 10 to 12 miles on one 3-hour charge. There’s one set of lights on the IO Hawk which stay steady if you face them forward, or they blink, if you turn it so they're rear facing. The only indicator on the IO Hawk is an LED battery monitor which you can see when you look down. The IO Hawk is a high-tech device and not inexpensive at $1799.99.

http://www.iohawk.com/  

Giz Wiz YouTube Video:   http://youtu.be/oRKgJ1jpp_U

What toy has been selling every year for the past 55 years?

For more than 55 years, the Etch A Sketch has been challenging kids to twist and turn their way to a masterpiece. To make a sketch, simply turn the vertical and horizontal drawing knobs and watch the line appear on the magnetic screen. To erase your doodle and start again, simply shake the toy. Bring it along on a car trip for mess-free fun in the backseat. Over 150 million Etch-A-Sketch units have been sold in those 55 years and it's still going strong. (Number of units sold ranges from 100 to 200 million, so I picked the middle ground, 150 million units in 55 years.) Ohio Art, the parent companys, says Etch-A-Sketch is great for kids ages 4 years and up. It’s available in several different sizes, colors, and prices, from about $10 to $30+, but it works the same it did as when it first came into the marketplace 55 years ago. It was invented in France.  In the video I shot at Toy Fair 2015, you'll see Bryan Lee Madden, a professional artist, who makes a living doing Etch-A-Sketch portraits of people, pets and scenes. You'll even see me accidentally mess up one of his Etch-A-Sketch pictures. Very embarrassing, indeed! 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/XTWQBnte4Tw

Company website: http://www.ohioart.com/brands/etch-sketch

Bryan's website: http://bryanetch.blogspot.com/ 

The Next Generation of Anki Drive is Coming!

Anki Drive is a high-tech slotless car adventure that has really taken off. At Amazon, the $150 Anki Drive starter kit was their second best selling toy last Christmas. (A Frozen doll took top spot, and it’s not even remote control!) Based on that success, something new is coming September 2015, Anki OVERDRIVE. As you’ll see in the video below, the new Anki OVERDRIVE features a modular track system that lets you snap pieces together quickly with magnetic connectors. You’ll be able to build and rebuild endless numbers of unique battlefields in seconds and get racing! Go head-to-head with friends or step up your game against elite AI (Artificial Intelligence) Commanders and their crews to (hopefully) become the champion of the Anki OVERDRIVE tournament. Anki OVERDRIVE Supercars are high-tech, intelligent vehicles that keep learning as they play. Built in computers combined with visual sensors make sure you stay on track even during the most legendary battle moments. You can add endless amounts of optional modular track and customize your Supercars with upgrades. You control everything with your iOS or Android device. The start-up kit will be $150 when it becomes available on September 15^th, 2015. You can sign up for updates at the link below. 

Giz Wiz Video: http://youtu.be/EqgfZGnSkI8

Sign up for updates at https://anki.com/overdrive  

Lenovo ThinkCentre M83 Tiny

When I got the following email from Lenovo, I was very interested:  “We have a new mini-desktop for review coupled with a brand new monitor form factor; the ThinkCentre M83 and Tiny in One 23.”  So, of course, I said, let’s do it. When the box with the components arrived, it was very big. When I unpacked the ThinkCentre M83 Tiny, it was indeed, very small! (Those golf balls in the picture give you a sense of scale. You don't get them with the unit!) Even though it was smaller than a text book, here’s what Lenovo said about their new ThinkCentre M83 Tiny: “It packs huge performance into a tiny form factor, accommodating even the smallest of workspaces without sacrificing power. Now, add in the ability to take the Tiny desktop and create an all-in-one that can be upgraded to fit the needs of the user and save space at the same time. M83 Key Specs: Intel Core i5-4590T processor, Intel HD 4600 graphics, 500GB HDD and 8GB RAM, and Windows 7 Pro 64-bit.”  As you’ll see on their website, there are dozens of options available to customize this computer. Actually it turns out there are four different form factors for the M83; everything from a regular tower PC, down to the Tiny that you’ll see in the video. As of 2/11/15, the starting price of the Tiny with an i3 chip was $434.99. 

Giz Wiz YouTube Video Part One: http://youtu.be/kp_Gw6VnJUg  

Lenovo M83 info: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/thinkcentre/m-series-tiny/m83/