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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
    Dec052020

    A Newer, Better Version Of An Older Gadget - The LED Beanie Cap.

    About give years ago we talked about an LED Beanie, great for the cold weather. But now I bought a newer version that's rechargeable! So it's not only a warm Winter beanie hat, but also a hands free LED flashlight to light your way at night. This can be a great outdoor utility light for dog walking, camping, running, pretty much any place you want a hands-free light. It's a one size fits all, or I guess, one size fits most. It's available in many colors, ideal for men or women. The LED light in this acrylic knit hat with is both removable and rechargeable. The company says it can light the distance up to 30 feet away. The built-in 4 SMD LED light provides 120 Lumens and up to 4 hours of continuous use or 68 hours of intermittent use. There are three brightness settings. The first push is full bright, then medium, then low light. Remove the light to charge it from any USB port, car charger or portable power bank. Available in many colors. Best of all, it's usually under $14. (It was under $12 when I posted this on 12/5/20, but the price seems to change daily. Click the Amazon link to find the latest price. There many companies selling what look likes the same LED beanie on Amazon, so you can check those too.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/sbNw9qBsvi8

     

    Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3oosZ00 

    Saturday
    Nov282020

    Forget Those Dull Blue Masks Millions Are Wearing, Design & Print Your Own.

    When I got an email asking if I would like to have a mask with an image of my mustache on it, I thought that sounded great. I expected them to ask for a photo, but about a week later, such a mask showed up in the mail. (You'll see it on this week's show.) It turns out you make your custom masks at home with the SnapStyle Printable Masks Kit, which just launched on Amazon and Walmart. Here's how the company describes the kit: With fabric-printing technology, you can replicate almost ANY picture, pattern, or other artwork directly onto a 100% cotton protective mask using just your mobile device – no sewing required. The kit includes everything needed to make several masks, which can be sized to fit children and adults. SnapStyle has been rigorously designed and tested to meet WHO guidelines for barrier masks and AFNOR guidance on filtration and breathability. People can create unique custom face masks that celebrate a beloved team, coordinate with a favorite outfit, or even replicate their face! ---- I also like that the app allows you to virtually see what the mask you designed will look like on your face before you print it. On this show you'll also see me unpack a kit so you can how thorough and complicated these masks are. But I think people into social media will love making them and it will kids busy for a hour or so. Along with the kit you need an iron, scissors and of course, an inkjet printer. A kit of 2 is about $16.00 but it's way cheaper to buy the kit for 4 masks which is only $2 more - $17.99.

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

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/nBF6PnpiI1o

     

    Company website: https://www.snapstylemasks.com/index.php?reg=US Click 'How To' to see the complete process of making a mask.

    Saturday
    Nov212020

    A Fun Holiday Sweater Depending On The Size Of Your Smartphone.

    When I saw this "fireplace" sweater online I thought I have to buy one, and I did. It's the Digital Dudz Morph Men's Fireplace Ugly Christmas Sweater. I don't know why they call it an ugly Christmas sweater because I think it looks fairly decent, except maybe if you buy the pink version. It's what you can do with it that makes it so much fun. The company says you download the free Digital Dudz app onto your smartphone, find the Crackling Fireplace animation and then slide the phone into the front-loading pocket. I found two problems. The biggest is that the smartphone pocket is small, about 3" X 5 1/2". The only phone I own that fit in it is my old Galaxy S5. Also the app constantly crashes. Many reviews online had the same problem. But it's easy to get a fireplace video on Youtube. With the small smartphone installed, the sweater looks great. It's a real attention getting. Chad was going to order one instantly until he realized all his phones are too big for the sweater pocket, which I think will be a problem for many geeks who didn't hold on to one of their older, smaller smartphones. It's $25 to $30.00 on Amazon, depending on if it's on sale or not.

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/EqSe50_v6f8

     

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/336iN40 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

    Saturday
    Nov142020

    Did You Know There's Such A Thing As A Heated Mouse House?

    I showed two of them, so does that make them Heated Mice Houses? No, I believe heated mouse houses is correct. The “Claw” Palotix USB Heated Mouse Pad/Hand Warmer is said to keep your hands warm and cozy, as it heats up to 113 degrees. There's an integrated wrist pad for comfort and support. The heating element uses computer USB Power, or a 5V phone charger or even a portable power bank. I tried the heated mouse house with a wireless and a wired mouse and they both worked as expected even though they were in the heated enclosure. The mini-heating pad is on the top so it won't interfere with the mouse pad on the bottom of the device. Check the latest price on Amazon. As on 11/13/20 you could get it for under $10 by using a 'click for $8 off' button. That could go away at any time. Hey, it's Amazon!

    The VVS-eLife grey heated mouse garage looks like a sad face or something like that. I bought it because it offered two features 'the claw' above didn't: Temperature control and a adjustable turn-off timer. When turned on, the default temperature is the set to its highest. (There is no indication as to what the actual temperature is, but I measured the heating pads in both of these devices, and the one in this mouse house is almost twice the size of the 'claw' mouse house. If you feel that high heat is too hot, set the switch to medium (green) or low (blue). You can also set the auto time off. The default is 2 hours. You can also set it for 4 or 8 hours. (Don't know why they skipped 6 hours.) When I received the unit I was surprised to see the timer and temperature setting device is actually an add on. You don't need to use it at all if you want to plug the device directly into USB. It will be on high when you do that. If you want to adjust the temperature, or the shut-off time, then insert the timer/heat switch between the mouse pad and the USB connecting cable. It was about $20 on 11/13/20.

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/OAxI9UbLTkw

    Amazon - (One that looks like a big claw)  https://amzn.to/36Ad1sp There was an $8 off coupon there on 11/14/20.)  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

    The Grey Mouse House Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2IAgcbp 

    As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

    Saturday
    Nov072020

    Easiest Unboxing Of A Toy Ever! Because It Unboxes Itself!

    FFrom The Holiday Of Play Virtual Toy Event comes this most amazing toy unboxings I have ever seen! But first a bit of info from the company: Discover Present Pets, the only gifts that unbox themselves! Waiting inside each Glitter Pup themed box is an adorable interactive puppy just for you. She is so excited to meet you, she paws her way out of her own gift box! With one of two possible Glitter Pups available in every box, you won’t know which puppy you’re getting until she unboxes herself. To start the big reveal, unwrap the box’s outer layer and pull the gift tag. The box will instantly start to shake as your sweet pup eagerly paws her way out! Once out, discover your pet’s playful personality as you bond and play together. Featuring over 100 sounds and actions, Present Pets are a great gift for kids aged 5 and up. MSRP $49.99, but check online. The Glitter version seem to be just $39.99 at Amazon, the one I showed now back to $49.99. Based on the boxing technology in this toy I expected the price to be much higher. 

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/Ki-IOpby4og

    -Full Company Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCFqi6L6g9Y

    -Amazon: MSRP: $49.95 But at Amazon as of 11/7/20 $49.95 & $39.95 (It keeps changing as all prices seems to do on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3erQ2U0  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.  (Also check prices at Walmart.)