Innovation Insider Steve Greenberg conducts 25 city satellite media tour from 5am to 11am yesterday.  Whew! That’s quite a coup. 

Here he is on The 10! Show – NBC Philadelphia

On NBC’s Today Show, What’s Wow Now blogger Steve Greenberg shows Kathy Lee Gifford and Chuck Nice some innovative new products that can help make life a little easier.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Steve really racked up the miles this month on his 10 city TV Xmas gadget tour. The View by the Bay, KGO in San Francisco starring Spencer Christian, formerly Weatherman in New York, really enjoyed Steve bouncing around on his set.

Below is a clip of my appearance on The 10! Show on NBC 10 Philidelphia yesterday – Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

Enjoy!

Steve

Check out the gadgets in this Home Tech segment–each one is a “game-changer” AND “game-changers” are news-worthy:

MicroFridge – $425.00
www.microfridge.com

Combo products have been around for a long time–but this Microwave-Refridge-Freezer combo with dual outlet charging station for tech accessories–saves energy and it can all be plugged into a single 110 outlet– the refrige-freezer actually turns off when the microwave is in use– its called Safe Plug Technology–perfect for small apartment, shop, dorm, bedroom, in-law apartment, garage, cabana, game room, den

Schlage Link System – $300 for starter kit
www.link.schlage.com

Easy to install home management system–receive text/email alerts when children arrive home–open door with cell phone from anywhere–add on features include wireless camera ($180), thermostat ($150) and more.

What sets this system apart is the price–starts at under $300–available at Radio Shack

Panasonic 360 Quick Iron – Under $50
www.panasonic.com/iron

Here’s its all about the new design of the sole-plate–no longer a triangle instead it has two points so it can iron in BOTH directions. Irons will never be the same again

LifeTone Alarm Clock – Under $180
www.lifetonesafety.com

This alarm clock “listens” for your smoke detector to sound, which triggers its own very loud alarm and bed shaker device. Standard smoke alarm sounds with 3100 Hz–when Lifetone hears that alarm it sounds with 520 Hz Square-wave alarm which has been proven to be most effective in waking people with hearing loss.

Tundra Fire Extinguisher Spray Can – $20
www.firstalert.com

This is the first truly easy to use fire extinguisher “spray”–sort of similar to an aerosol can. From First Alert–its effective on fabric, wood, cooking oil and electrical fires–compact and powerful the discharge is 4-times greater than traditional fire extinguishers

HydraBrush – Under $100
www.hydrabrush.com

A strange new electric toothbrush that brushes top-bottom-cheek-and tongue side of teeth–ALL AT THE SAME TIME– new design

Mouseless Touchscreen PC MSI Wind Top AE 1900 – $530-$590
www.msicomputer.com

This could be the beginning of the end for the beloved mouse. This PC has a touchscreen–no mouse needed–80% less power than trad PC, never more than 50 watts of power used–super quiet–sleek design

WebAround – Under $35
www.gadgetnation.net/store

Two nurses came up with this idea–a background for your webcam. No need to clean up your office before going on your webcam–webAround creates a clean neat background for your head shot. Perfect for your home, hotel, coffee shop– smart, huh?

Getting a product on national television is sometimes all about timing– in early October its all about Halloween

If you want more info on any of the gadgets in the segment–then check out these links:

- Webcaster Spiderweb Gun www.SpiritHalloween.com $49.99

- Talking Tree Decoration www.SpiritHalloween.com $34.99

- Power Scoop www.SpiritHalloween.com $9.99

- Pumpkin Party Carving Kit www.SpiritHalloween.com $9.99

- Dremel Pumpkin Carver www.PriceGrabber.com $26

- Lightning LED Strobe Light www.PumpkinMasters.com $4.99

– The Animated Ominous Eyes www.Hammacher.com $39.95

- iChime www.iChime.com $89.95

- Haunted Doorbell www.SpiritHalloween.com $7.99

- The Remote Controlled Tarantula www.Hammacher.com $29.95

- Floating Witch’s Broomstick www.SpiritHalloween.com $39.99

- Stud Finder www.GeneralTools.com $25-$35

- Kids Safety Flashlight www.PumpkinMasters.com $3.99

- Costume Reflectors www.PumpkinMasters.com $2.99

I am always being asked the question:
“How can I get my product on television?”
 
It’s a good question–
If you’re launching a product, television is a great way to start the process.
 
Besides being the author of Gadget Nation, board member of the United Inventors Association (UIA) and a featured contributor to SBTV.com,  I also appear just about every month on television showcasing innovative products in NYC, Philly, Wash DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Houston, and several other TV markets.  A few times each year I also show up on NBC’s Today Show and the CBS Early Show.
 
If you’ve never seen one of my segments, here are a few links:
 
NBC’s Today Show (Wacky Summer Gadgets)

Each time after my segment hits the airwaves, inventors, small business owners and PR professionals hunt me down and ask if I can put their product in my segment.   I honestly appreciate hearing from people who have an innovative new product.  Over the years it is how I’ve found some of the best products for my segments.
 
But those same people need to understand that not every product pitched can make it into every segment and pitches need to short and to the point.
 
For a television gadget segment,  I’m looking for products that are fun to demonstrate and are easy for viewers to see and just about instantly understand the purpose of that product.   If the pitch to explain the product is 3 paragraphs long, then its probably a product I have to pass on.  Keep in mind, if the product does make my segment, I only get maybe 20-30 seconds to explain it to viewers.  When I email TV show producers about my segment, I only get one line per product to WOW them.  If they are not WOW-ed, the product is dropped
 
Twitter is all about passing information along within 140 characters—a good pitch for a product should be about that long.  In that brief pitch, you need to tell me what’s unique about the product.  Is it the “world’s first ever” or the “smallest” or maybe the “least expensive” whatever?  Give me something that makes this product “news worthy.”   What problem does it solve?  Why would viewers care about it?
 
And since my medium is television, the product needs to be visual and better still needs to actually be doing something when the cameras go to it.  Products that move or let the hosts interact with them usually move to the front of the line.  So if your product has an easy to demonstrate feature–let me know that–send a photo along or a link to YouTube so I can see your product in action.
 
Fun, interesting products make my segments fun and interesting.  If my segment is entertaining and informative, I’ve inviting back on to that show again.  So please help me help you to help me.