On this week’s show we start with one more gadget to help keep you warm as daylight lessens and winter looms.

It’s the pretty much unpronounceable XIAOQIAO 4-in-1 Rechargeable Hand Warmer.  With a 10000mAh battery this portable double-sided hand warmer has 3 adjustable heat levels with a digital display. Although the description says: “You can clearly see the temperature on the LCD display: 104F/122F/140F”, I would add that you need to have really good eyesight to be able to read the tiny figures on the LCD screen. It also has a USB out jack so you can use the battery power to charge phones, small tablets, etc. at 5V/2A. The company says not to charge a device and use the heater at the same time. Another useful feature is the built in LED flashlight! But wait, there’s more. It also has a built in massage function! On the four functions I thought this one wasn’t especially useful. It does vibrate, but without much real movement, so I doubt if it would do anything to relax you or your muscles. But for all it does pretty well, I think the price is low. I paid under $24 for mine, but I’ll put an additional link below to one that looks exactly like it, but sells for under $20. Be aware that both of them have reviews that don’t even apply to the product! I still like the device, but hate the deception of the reviews.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/DG_ocvX9_hI

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pLqnLl   This is one I bought. Reviews are not even for the product, but I still like it.

It’s a bit cheaper here, but it’s said to be from a new seller, and it also has fake reviews:  https://amzn.to/35MDlAp

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1806

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.

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1806  

Need the top notch security? The biggest capacity USB Data Traveler 2000 is the new 128GB version. Here’s info from Kingston. The DataTraveler 2000 is designed to be secure, with an alphanumeric keypad that locks the drive with a word or number combination, for easy-to-use PIN protection. Its auto-lock feature is activated when the drive is removed from a device and it deletes the encryption key after 10 failed intrusion attempts. DT2000 features hardware-based, full disk AES 256-bit data encryption in XTS mode. Encryption is done on the drive, not on the host computer, and no trace of the PIN is left on the system. DataTraveler 2000 is OS independent and can be used on any device with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.1 Gen1 (USB 3.0) port. It’s compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, thin clients and embedded systems, and the drive requires no software or drivers. It’s FIPS 197 certified, to meet a frequently requested corporate IT requirement, and its durable design protects the drive from everyday elements such as water and dust.

Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/QQERUciGMJ0

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lUpXQa 

www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1806

It’s a rather big device to open jars with a no-strain, one-hand operation. AC powered, you’ll see it in action on this week’s show. It’s rather ingenious and it does open screw-on jar lids rather easily, well 2 out of 3 times, as you’ll see. This could be handy for those with weak hands or arthritis. Or anybody who has trouble with screw off jar lids when sometimes seem to be welded on! The downside is that this device is really big and would take up a lot of counter space. Chad paid $6.99 for it and thought it may have never been used. You’ll see and hear why in his video. Chad does a very good demostration and said he does have the space to store it, but not on the counter since it’s use is limited to when he has a jar with a screw top. But we were all amazed when Chad found  that a new one cost about $150 on Amazon!

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3kTwR6V  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/1806

It’s not a Sting Ray, but a String Ray from long, long ago.

It was back in the mid 90’s when I came across the String Ray. No, not Sting Ray, the scary creature from the ocean, but the String Ray, an expensive novelty item from “With Design In Mind” more than 25 years ago. Using just a single string and a light with a rotating color disc it produces a fantastic light show, especially in the dark. Two motors spin and twist a single piece of white sting as the light from below reflects color on it. You put on your own light show by adjusting two knobs on the device that control the spin speed of string and the spinning light. You can manually adjust the angle of the motor arms to get unique colorful patterns and colors. It sold for about $80. I know on this week’s show I said I’ll give it away. But, holy cow! Maybe I shouldn’t do that. I just checked ebay and there are two of them on there, each at over $300! Here’s one of them: https://www.ebay.com/c/1660130995

Dick’s String Ray video: https://youtu.be/lhJbHPDJf8A

See or hear this episode: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1806

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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:

Hey Dick and Chad,

Just wanted to follow up on the “Present Pets” you showed in the last episode. It’s really a fun toy but DONT buy it from Amazon because they ship it in just the Present Pets box and nothing else! They just slap their shipping labels on the actual toy box which not only ruins the presentation but also the box itself is easily damaged. This is great gift but tell folks to buy it from elsewhere.

-Adam J.

From the chatroom, Chad & me: Possible workarounds if ordering from Amazon. Ask for Amazon packaging, or ask for it to be gift wrapped. Make sure you check to see if gift wrap involves an extra charge.