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Leo Laporte A technology journalist, author and broadcast personality. His specialties lie in computers, the Web, video games, digital music and consumer electronics. |
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Amber MacArthur An experienced Web content and usability strategist, Amber is also a tech journalist who specializes in Internet, software, and gadget trends and tips. |
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The Giz Wiz takes a look at some gadgets that may have escaped your attention.
Energizer Quick Switch Flashlight.
This is a great idea! You know you can find a flashlight, but you can’t always find the right batteries for the flashlight. Well you don’t have to worry about finding the right batteries in emergencies with this one. This flashlight can use two AA, C or D batteries. Slide switch for AA, C or D operation. Uses a Krypton Bulb. Available in stores, like Home Depot. About $13
The self-inflating Key Buoy from Davis Instruments ends the nightmare of keys dropped overboard. Even if your keys are on the Key Buoy, if you drop them into the drink, they sink. But wait about 30 seconds and your keys come bobbing back to the surface! Once you see that inflated orange tube breaking the surface you have approximately 25 minutes to grab them before they sink forever. Since it only costs about $7, I wondered how it worked. The guys at the Davis Instrument booth were happy to explain. When you drop the Key Buoy in the water, a tiny piece of sponge inside the device expands and forces the plastic clam shell to open. When it opens, a tightly folded 14” plastic tube is released. Then a small tablet which contains baking soda dissolves. This creates a gas that fills the tube that floats your keys. The Key Buoy is suitable for items weighing up to 4.2 ounces.
Leak Frog --- As long as we’ve got water, let’s take a look at LeakFrog. It’s a small water alarm that costs under $13, but it can save you a lot more! Behind the cute smile is a brain that knows when you have a water problem. LeakFrog sits patiently day and night - ready to sound its alarm at the first sign of a leak from the sink, washing machine, pipes, etc.
ROADMASTER FM MODULATOR. (Model VRFM9) Here’s a way to play your music files through your car radio. But if you don’t have a music player! you can play your music directly from a USB flash drive or a memory card! A neat innovation is the fully adjustable viewing angle so you can see the LCD window. Of course if you do have a music player a cable is included so you play your iPod, CD Player, etc. through your car’s audio system.
http://www.roadmasterusa.com/fmmod_vr3.php
Blue scrolling LED name tag. (Red also available.) This is really neat!
Display your name or even your own custom message. It stores up to 6 different messages up to 512 characters. It’s programmable with easy on-board buttons. And you can even adjust scroll speed and brightness. Pin directly to your shirt or use the powerful magnet to hold it in place, even on a tee shirt. This is a real buy at under $10!
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dick DeBartolo, The Giz Wiz does a daily Podcast with Leo Laporte – The Daily Giz Wiz.
He appears regularly on World News Now on the ABC Network.
And he’s MAD Magazine’s Maddest Writer with an article in every issue for the past 35 years!
And he’s a correspondent for Computer America.
Visit his website at www.gizwiz.biz and play the “What The Heck Is It” game. See if you can guess what the gadget on the opening page of Dick’s website is. Or make up a silly thing it might be. Either way you might win an autographed copy of MAD. Every month Dick gives away up to 50 autographed issues.
