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Giz Wiz Show #1811 December 24, 2020 Independent Show #290 (Recorded 12/12/20)
This is our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we’re now going into year 15. If it wasn’t for our supporters the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. If you’d like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: http://www.gizwiz.tv/
On this week’s show we start with the first bit of 2021 CES Coverage. There’s no physical show this January of course, but my email box runneth over with press releases and virtual meetings about gadgets and gizmos we would have seen there.
Here’s the 1stLook At A CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree!
It’s been a while since someone came up with a new keyboard. This one is virtual and I tried it. I give my reaction to it on this week’s show. In the mean, here are some highlight from the company: Swiss Keyboard Startup,Typewise, says they’re on a mission to make daily lives easier by changing the way users input information into their devices. Typewise combines smart auto-correction and text predictions, resulting in a 4x reduction in typos. All user data stays on the device (full data privacy) – none of it is accessible by Typewise, or third parties, a break away from existing norms. Specifically designed to reduce typos – achieving on average a 4x reduction in typing errors – and boost productivity. Typewise currently supports more than 40 languages. The app’s patented honeycomb keyboard empowers intuitive, low-error typing without reducing speed, while allowing users to switch languages without switching keyboards. Typewise has already been downloaded over 500,000 times and is being used by 130,000 active users. You can try it yourself. It’s free, and the links for iOS and Android are below. After I did the 15 minute demo I was offered a free trial of the “Pro” version which I declined since I always forget to cancel and start getting charged for things I may not use.
Demo Video: https://youtu.be/5NQrfsD2m4c
Website: https://typewise.app/
Typewise iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/typewise-keyboard/id1470215025
Typewise Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.icoaching.typewise
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1811
A Chad Extra On Every Show in December!
Chad’s extra this week is the Apple MacBook Air with the brand new M1 Chip and he’s wildly excited it! I must admit that the only Apple product I ever owned is the iPad touch. So anything I write here about Chad’s new MacBook is from Chad, or the Apple website. Here’s the one Chad bought: The 2020 13.3” Apple MacBook, M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB unified memory, 512GB SSD storage, Retina display with True Tone, Magic Keyboard, Touch ID, Force Touch trackpad, and two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. I can tell you that Chad loves his his MacBook. His five year old MacBook was his only Mac computer and it was having trouble handling some programs Chad wanted to use, especially for video editing. He says the power of the new MacBook is amazing. Not only does it have the power to handle all the programs he needs, it also adds the ability to use iPhone and iPad apps. I expected the price to be more, when told me it was $999.00; the same price he paid five years ago for his first MacBook. Chad did one option, 512GB SSD storage, which Chad said added $200 to the price. If you’re interested in this machine be sure to watch this week’s show as Chad compares the speed of opening programs in his new MacBook, compared to his five year old model.It’s here on the Apple website: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air (Not an affiliate link.)
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1811
Brew A Carafe of Coffee, Or Make a K-Cup With Just One Machine.
I thought I would make a bit more room in my tiny NYC apartment kitchen by buying one appliance to do the work of two. That’s why I bought the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew that offers 3 ways to brew coffee. You can make up to 12 cups with ground coffee on the carafe side or use dual purpose single serving inserts to brew a pod or ground coffee on the other. The included pod holder and single-serve grounds basket handle both options. A nice feature is that the cup rest can be removed so you can brew coffee into a tall travel mug. This coffee maker side has something they call Easy-Touch programming. After brewing, coffee stays warm for 2 hours and the power automatically shuts off. It does have a pause & pour feature so you pour a cup as coffee brews.There is a also a choice of regular and bold brewing options. Each brewing side its own water reservoir. I like the water fill windows that let you see exactly how much water you’ve added. $99.00. It makes great carafe coffee and K-cup coffee, but it’s a bit messy to clean up when you use the extra large ‘use your own ground coffee’ option since there’s only the built-in filter which has to be cleaned each time you use. You’ll hear more of my thoughts on this machine in the video on this week’s show. I bought mine on Amazon, where it was, and still is $99.00. I think that’s a great price for all the machine does.Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/ZfQ7mNcyA0A
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/37QhCbV As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1811
Chad’s Crappy Corner & his fourth gadget for his December Theme.
Chad found his Pocket Puzzlers Mouseat Kohls. There are other Pocket Puzzlers there too. They’re said to be ‘brain-bending challenges offered in pocket-size versions so you can test your skills on the go.’ The object is to arrange all of the cheese pieces and one mouse to fill the puzzle board. There’s only one solution and it’s not as obvious as it seems! As you’ll learn, or as Chad learned, even though there are only 4 puzzle pieces, and 1 mouse, the solution is NOT easy. Designed for ages 8 and up, it’s small, 4.25 in. x 0.75 in. x 4.75 inches, but difficult. Chad said the box was marked $20, but he paid $10. When he went to the website, it’s was $8.00. On Christmas day it was $7.50. The day after Christmas back to $10. Watch this week’s show to see how Chad did.
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1811
Dick’s Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video & Win An Autographed MAD Magazine.
Hi Dick and Chad:
Here’s the link to a fresh video that I think you will like.
I paid $130 for my Opencomm headset directly from Aftershokz.com. Because of buying the previous pair I get promotion emails from them. The Opencomm headset was on a flash sale at the time. I paid that amount for the first set 2 years ago. They are now $160 on the site and Amazon.
https://us.aftershokz.com/products/opencomm
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/37UZ4HD As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1811
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We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show! Here’s what we’re looking for! Your home shot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories:
I bought a piece of crap: Did you buy something you ended up hating? We won’t get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, “family friendly” language applies.
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I invented this! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can’t market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it’s a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. No professional ads please.
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My Gadget Warehouse: Okay, so you don’t have a warehouse. It doesn’t matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you’re still hanging on to it.
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My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be a new gadget you just bought too.
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Post them on YouTube and send us the link! We’ll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that’s unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you’ll earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you’ll also get an autographed 38+ year old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live outside of US, I can autograph an Alfred E. Neuman photo to you, scan it & email you a high res copy if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it’s a copy. We’ve tested it out and fans say they look terrific! If you submitting warehouse videos for a second, third time, etc., you’ll get the current issue of MAD as a thank you.
All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv
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Letter of the week:
Hi Dick and Chad:
Please put your podcast on spotify so I can have alexa play it easier and access it on all my devices. All my love. Ender Lardi.
From Giz Wiz: Hi Ender. Chad is looking into doing that! Thanks for the suggestion.
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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.
