Really Useful Home Office Gadgets For Zoom, Skype, Video Meetings, Etc.

Once my spot airs on ABC, I'll post a link here.

Need To Make A Video Using Your Smartphone And You're All By Yourself?

The Aduro U-Stream Home Streaming Studio can be a helpful companion for working from home, attending virtual meetings, zoom conferences, or even school classes. The system consists of a lightweight folding tripod, an adjustable LED light circle and smartphone holder. The 10” ring LED light offers 3 distinct lighting options: White, Warm Yellow, and Warm White. You select those on the inline remote which also offers 10 different levels of brightness. The adjustable tripod stand extends from 18” to 52” high so you can use it on your desktop or table or directly on the floor. The smartphone holder is directly in the middle of the light ring and can be adjusted for landscape or portrait mode. The lighting modes are USB powered so you can hook it to your own eternal battery charger, plug it directly into a computer USB, or use one of USB/AC adapters, which is not supplied in the kit. (But most gadget lovers will have at least one of those.) The kit is very compact and packs up so you could carry it in a backpack. One thing to be aware of is that will you have a small lighted circle reflection in each eye if you are wearing glasses as you record. But these days so many people on news programs or interview shows have those reflections, they are not very distracting. On the Giz Wiz Chad said he thought you might look more professional if you are wearing glasses on camera and someone can see those reflections from a 'professional' light source. The Aduro Ustream kit is about $40.

Giz Wiz Video about this gadget: https://youtu.be/zkJDygCLPvI

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ImgrXp - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Ever Hear Of Camfecting?

Camfecting is when a hacker takes control of your webcam with your knowledge or your permission. A webcam privacy cover can help stop that. Amazingly I read that hackers can not only get into your computer and turn on your webcam, but more advanced hackers can turn on your webcam without the “on” light illuminating! Here are two ways to prevent hacker from looking through your camera, even if they turn it on. For notebook, laptop, tablet, etc, where the camera is built into the lid, there's the webcam cover slide. It's thin, and didn't affect the lid from closing all the way on my Acer Chromebook. The Webcam Cover can be opened or closed with just one simple finger movement. The company6 says it can be easily applied and removed from the device without any traces. I bought a pack of 6 Webcam Cover Sliders for $8.99 as of 10/8/20

If you have an stand alone webcam there's a pretty good chance it's from Logitech. They sell an amazing amount of webcams. Some of their newest models have a built-in covers. If not, you can buy easy add-on covers to help protecting your digital life and you're actual life by preventing hackers from watching you! Webcam covers provide privacy, security and peace of mind. The one I bought is model specific. The company says it's compatible with the Logitech C920, C922, C922x and C930e. It does not damage your device in any way. Actually it just sits on top of my Logitech C920 and I can cover and uncover my webcam at any time by flipping it open or closed it. Now the description says: “Does not interfere with webcam use or indicator light.” That's true when it's open. When it's closed you will not see if the indicator light is on or off. I paid $12.99 for mine and it works fine. Check around on Amazon because there are cheaper versions for various webcams.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/SgA3uIJeLpY  

Amazon link for stand-alone Logitech webcams:  https://amzn.to/3luZCrq 

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

Amazon link for notebook built-in webcams, phones, etc - I haven't tried these, but they are much cheaper than the ones I bought & look to have very good reviews: 8 for under $5 as of 10/10/20 https://amzn.to/2IidNSv   

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

Want to use your smartphone and laptop side-by-side at the same time?

You can do that with the long titled SUNTAIHO Adjustable Laptop Side Mount Clip on Monitor Magnetic Laptop Stand with Phone Holder Computer Expansion Bracket for iPhone Smartphone Cellphone Fixed Flat and Slim Portable. Here's some of what the company says about it with some strange grammar: The SUNTAIHO Smartphone mounts can fixed clip on slim monitor of Laptop or desktop monitor, fitting for all kind of flat computer display ,cellphone standers when charging, enjoying dual screen at the same time. This Side Mount Clip for Dual Monitor is used Magnetic installation with 3M Stick-On, don't damage to your phone and computer.

From the Giz Wiz. I paid a bit under $16.00 for mine, but I'm going to return it. You'll find out why I decided not to use it on this week's show. Click the Amazon link to find the latest price.

Giz Wiz Video about this gadget: https://youtu.be/Ja1J6Y3tTdA  

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3lzzT16  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Need A Handy Desk Lamp? This One Should Do The Job! It's Inexpensive too.

Here's a very inexpensive desk lamp with some nice features. First of all, it's an LED bulb, so you'll never have to replace it. Adjust the shade by a flexible steel gooseneck arm to direct the 4 watt, 260 lumens of warm, flicker-free LED light where it is needed The lamp base is recessed so there's room for the little things you need to keep handy like paperclips, rubber bands, tacks, stamps, etc. And finally, this lamp has an AC outlet on the side! You don't want to plug in a high power device, but it's perfect to use to charge devices like smartphones using their own AC cord. And you can even plug in another LED lamp if you need two lamps on your desk! Turn the lamp on and off with a simple on/off rocker switch on the base. Available in black and colors and amazingly, under $7 as of 10/12/20! Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-LED-Gooseneck-Desk-Lamp-with-Catch-All-Base-AC-Outlet-Black/789690769     (Not an affiliate link.)  (Walmart may require you to cut & paste this link to go to that page. Weird.)

The Giz Wiz Found Out About This Too Late For The Show, But It Seems Like A Great Desk Organizer.

It's the Simply Genius (8 Piece) Mesh Desk Organizer Set. And it's under $20! $19.99 as of 10/12/20. Here's some info from the company: This powder-coated mesh accessories has a see-through design to helps you find things quickly. Eliminate the clutter! Organization is easy with perfect places to put everything. These sturdy metal mesh storage pieces are stylish and ready to get your workspace more workable. Organize desk supplies & more in home or office. Sturdy metal mesh, powder coated to stop corrosion. Rubber feet on notepad & mail holders, won’t slide. Paper tray is a good In/Out box, holds notebooks. File holder good for books, magazines, legal pads. Mail sorter organizes notecards, small notebooks. Notepad holders keep notes & paper scraps neat. Cup holds pens, pencils, scissors, letter opener. NEED WE SAY IT? The metal mesh set DO NOT COME with any of items used to display how they work. But at $19.99, it seems like a great buy! (Price and availability as of 10/12/20 and can change at any time!)

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/34KrGR2 

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