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(for posts prior to 2020 CLICK HERE)
Wow!! It’s Giz Wiz Show #1800! October 8, 2020 Independent Show #281
A Chad Extra! Chad Reviews The Razor EcoSmart SUP Electric Scooter.
Info from Razor: As more people go car-free, going green has never been so stylish with the Razor EcoSmart series electric scooters. Now with this new member to the family, the EcoSmart SUP Electric Scooter offers you a choice to stand up and enjoy the same comfortable ride in style! Its 16″ (406 mm) pneumatic tires, and a wide bamboo deck for plenty of foot room, provide a smooth, comfortable ride for neighborhood or cross-campus trips (local laws will apply). This electric scooter, with a 36V lead-acid battery system and plug-in charger, requires no gasoline, making it an economical and eco-friendly alternative to make local trips. With its quiet, high torque, 350-watt hub-driven motor, the Razor EcoSmart SUP Electric Scooter can reach speeds up to 15.5 mph (25 km/h), boasts an up to 12-mile (19 km) range and up to 60 minutes of continuous use. MSRP: $449.99 Ages 16 and up Max Weight 220 lbs
And Chad’s take? Actually, it’s best to watch Chad’s full review on this week’s show. He tells you all the things he likes about the EcoSmart Electric-scooter. And a couple of things he doesn’t like about it. Besides you’ll get to see a bit of Chad’s neighborhood as he drives it around.
Company website: https://www.razor.com/products/electric-scooters/ecosmart-sup/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36RHhkr 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/1800
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.
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1800
UPDATE: If you have an Apple product, Mo Torres emailed this report about webcam covers:
https://nypost.com/2020/07/14/covering-up-your-camera-could-damage-your-laptop-apple/
Need To Make A Video When You’re All By Yourself? This Streaming Studio Can Help.
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: https://youtu.be/zkJDygCLPvI
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2SFDUop – 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/1800
Crappy Corner and his brand new October theme voted on by our loyal Patreons.
Info from the web: This spider is ready to scare the sillies out of you! This Creepy Dropping Spider features a fuzzy body, is sound activated and has light up eyes. The spider free-falls on a 4.5″ string for the ultimate scare, then climbs back up with creepy crawling motion. Creepy Dropping Spider measures 5in x 9in and weighs 0.27 lb. Requires 2 AA alkaline batteries (not included).
And Chad’s Take: Chad liked this, although he wished you could set the amount of the spider drop. It’s preset so be careful where you hang it to scare people. It’s sound, not motion activated. Be aware several people in the chatroom hated because it was too scary or too creepy. If you truly hate spiders, this probably won’t be viewed as ‘funny or cute’. Chad paid $20 at Spirit Halloween and it’s $$20 on Amazon, but during the show Chad found it online at Party City for $9.99, plus shipping. Final verdict, more scary than crappy, but may really scare some people.
https://amzn.to/3dfa5EI $19.99, Cheaper at Party City. – As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.
$9.99 at Party City, but there may be shipping charges under a certain amount of $:
https://www.partycity.com/creepy-dropping-spider-177735.html (Not an affiliate link.)
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1800
Dick Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video & Win An Autographed MAD Magazine.
Dick & Chad:
I found a very inexpensive lamp that might interest you and your viewers.
Thanks, Herb.
From the Giz Wiz: Very interesting lamp! I bought two of them. Amazing value for under $7 at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-LED-Gooseneck-Desk-Lamp-with-Catch-All-Base-AC-Outlet-Black/789690769 (Not an affiliate link.)
See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1800
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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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Email of the week:
From: Michael Arnold
Subject: Last Week’s Show and color punkins
Some people display teal pumpkins to indicate that their house is
food-allergen friendly, and that non-food treats such as glow stick or
stickers will be given out to trick-or-treaters instead of food –
which some kids might not be able to eat.
The Teal Pumpkin Project was first stated in 2014 by Food Allergy
Research & Education (a group dedicated to food allergy awareness)
with a goal to raise awareness of food allergens on a night when it
can be tricky to participate with a food allergy.
Some parents want to spread awareness of autism this Halloween by
turning their pumpkins blue, or having blue plastic pumpkin
containers. The idea is that it signifies that a person trick-or-treating might
require specific or different needs. Michael
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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.
