AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Fortnite’s wildest crossover ever, Samsung’s tri-fold phone, and Red Dead Redemption on Netflix — all in one snowy night. This week on AwesomeCast 760, Michael Sorg (@Sorgatron), Katie “Dudders” Dudas, and Dave Podnar brave the Pittsburgh snow (plus the frozen tundra of Verona) to geek out over: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Tri-Fold — a three-screen foldable that opens into a 10" tablet and costs about as much as a decent gaming PC. Is this the future of phones or just flex tech? Cloud gaming from the couch — Sorg uses OneCast, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming to turn an Apple TV and Chromecast into a console-free living room, streaming everything from Mortal Kombat 1 to Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Netflix Games leveling up — from Red Dead Redemption (2010) going mobile-only on Netflix to a WWE 2K “Netflix Edition” and Stranger Things puzzle games trying to lure the 99% of subscribers who never touch the games tab. Marvel arcade goodness & Fortnite insanity — we punch through Marvel’s Cosmic Invasion on Game Pass and recap Fortnite’s giant event featuring Homer Simpson, Godzilla, Kong, Superman, Voltron, K-pop Demon Hunters, Kill Bill, Back to the Future and more. Weird future tech — Hideo Kojima’s idea for a blood-scented floppy disk, BHaptics VR suits you can actually buy at Best Buy, and why we’re both fascinated and slightly terrified. Shopping & robotaxis — Amazon’s 30-minute delivery pilot in Seattle and Philly, Katie’s Walmart turning into a gig-worker warehouse, and a Waymo robo-car that casually drives through an active LAPD stop. Plus: birthday love for long-time supporter John “Diggy” DeGore, vintage Star Wars comics, and interns Tony and Mac discovering just how weird tech can get. 💬 Follow & support: Subscribe and leave a review in your favorite podcast app. Support the show and get extra chatter on Patreon.com/AwesomeCast. Find more shows at SorgatronMedia.com.

This week on AwesomeCast 758, Sorg, Katie, and Podnar unwrap a pile of geeky goodness! Chachi surprises the crew with custom 3D-printed AT-@-AT Star Wars sculptures, Dave reviews the Bissell CrossWave hard-floor cleaner, and we break down the newest gaming news including the Steam Machine reboot, a DDR world record, and Netflix’s surprisingly strong push into console-quality games like WWE 2K25. We also explore Disney’s Star Wars Life Day Gift Guide, the wild GameStop Trade Anything Day, a Minecraft rebuild of Pittsburgh’s legendary Century III Mall, and Google’s rollout of Gemini 3. Plus: which AI model would you trust on your iPhone? Join us for gadgets, games, tech talk, and holiday chaos—Pittsburgh-style.

This week, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into: • Apple’s iPhone “Pocket” sling (Issey Miyake) — a 3D-knit, cross-body way to carry your iPhone that channels the designer behind Steve Jobs’ turtlenecks. Is this fashion-meets-tech or iPod Socks 2.0?   • Fortnite’s Springfield takeover — an entire Simpsons-styled map, Battle Pass skins, and Sidekicks (pet-like companions). We compare Crew pricing to Game Pass and why this might be the cheapest way to stay current.   • Robotics & AI Discovery Day — we produced a rooftop live demo with SKA Robotics showing AI-assisted corrosion detection on local bridges. Here’s what worked, what wind ruined, and why this matters for infrastructure. Watch the talks via PRN.   • iPad Pro at 10 — the unrealized potential vs. real-world utility (monitors, comics, control apps) from a decade-old device that still pulls its weight.   • Pittsburgh International’s new terminal — what’s changing for travelers, especially those checking oversized gear.   • Chachi’s Video Game Minute — Zelda filming news, GTA 6 date chatter, RDR2 sales movement, Switch 2 momentum. (As heard in-show.)  • AI browsers & privacy — early takeaways after dog-fooding an agent-powered browser.  Watch / Subscribe: Tuesdays, 7pm ET. Tag #AC757 with your thoughts.

Tech, travel, and a touch of Pittsburgh flair! Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar take you inside the brand-new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal, share how to build your own 24/7 streaming channel with OBS + VLC, and break down the biggest Adobe MAX 2025 AI announcements. We talk whether 8K TVs even matter, the surprisingly useful iOS Vehicle Motion Cues, and what it’s really like using the new ChatGPT Atlas browser. Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, EB Games’ comeback, and a Taco Bell 50K run you have to hear to believe. 🛫 Links + extras: https://www.sorgatronmedia.com/blog/awesomecast-755-pittsburgh-airport-ai-obs-stream-madness

The AwesomeCast crew — Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar — dive into another week of geeky goodness, from AI browsers and robo-pets to nostalgic tech and bizarre cable “hacks.” This Week’s Awesome Topics • 🧠 OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Atlas browser — Dave tries the AI-powered browser built to summarize and interact with the web itself. openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-atlas • 🎮 Keeper on Game Pass — Sorg shares his pick for the week: a haunting, cinematic puzzle game where your lighthouse walks on spider legs. xbox.com/en-US/games/keeper • 🧸 Casio’s MOFLIN AI Pet — Katie explores the fuzzy, learning pet robot that’s way too cute to ignore. casio.com/us/moflin • 🛍️ Walmart partners with ChatGPT — The team discusses how AI is about to change the way you shop online. apnews.com/article/openai-walmart-chatgpt-shopping-partnership • 🧱 Sesame Street in Roblox — What happens when Elmo goes digital? Roblox link • 🎬 Chachi’s Video Game Minute — Netflix adds real games to your TV app. • 📺 Not Awesome: Telly TV’s “free” set might cost more than you think. tiktok.com/@verge/video/7557015639102098702 • 💾 Throwback Corner: Remember 3dfx graphics cards? The golden age of gaming returns. wikipedia.org/wiki/3dfx 🎙️ Support the show on Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive after-talk: 👉 patreon.com/awesomecast

Surfboards, Baja Cars & Broken GoPros — This Week on AwesomeCast! Katie returns with stories from the waves as she shares her inspiring First Descents surf adventure in Santa Cruz, designed for cancer survivors. Meanwhile, the team gives a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of their latest wild production at Baja SAE Carolina — from broadcasting out of a U-Haul van to dealing with dusty terrain, wireless camera chaos, and even a GoPro that didn’t survive. Plus: • Microsoft raises Game Pass prices again • Minecraft gets educational about climate change • AI-generated chaos with OpenAI’s Sora • Why you must log out of your Airbnb streaming accounts… Hosted by Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, Missy Sorg & Dave Podnar 🎥 Watch the video version & more at AwesomeCast.com

This week on AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar are joined by intern Mac to dive into the latest in Apple tech, production travel hacks, and wearable innovation. Sorg shares stories from producing Defy Wrestling in Seattle, including packing $30K worth of video gear and dealing with TSA “love letters.” Dave brings real-world testing of the iPhone 17 Pro Max camera with stunning 8x zoom shots. Plus: • Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses demo disaster (and why it failed) • Live transcription, translation & privacy risks with smart eyewear • watchOS & iOS 17 tips: CarPlay widgets, Fitness+, Notes on Apple Watch • Chachi’s Video Game Minute on how shows like Fallout boost game sales • Reflex 240mm lens for mobile pros • Intern Mac drops knowledge on Apple vs Meta AI features 📲 Support the show: patreon.com/awesomecast

This week on AwesomeCast, we dive into tech, history, and a little pumpkin spice! We’re joined by Virginia Montanez — acclaimed writer, author, and creator of the PastFinders app, which turns everyday walks into immersive historical tours. We also talk: • Apple Watch’s new “Workout Buddy” voice coaching (is it helpful or just annoying?) • iJustine’s epic iPhone 1 vs iPhone 15 photo test • Using AI to turn pet pics into paintings via iOS 17’s Image Playground • Goldfish + Dunkin = Pumpkin Spice Grahams?! Taste-tested on the show! 💡 Plus: Newsletter updates, cat chaos, and what it’s like launching a tech startup in Pittsburgh. 🛠 Featured Links: • https://pghremains.com (PastFinders App) • https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast • https://awesomecast.substack.com

Apple’s September event brought us the iPhone 17 family, AirPods Pro 3, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, packed with features for creators and adventurers alike. Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down what’s exciting (and what’s eyebrow-raising) in this week’s AwesomeCast. We also dive into Sesame Street moving its library to YouTube and this year’s holiday LEGO highlights, including the Gingerbread AT-AT and a $1,000 UCS Death Star.

This week on AwesomeCast 748, hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down the latest in tech, gadgets, and geek news: • AI tools for creators: why Opus Pro beats CapCut for quick, high-quality clips • Instagram’s new Picture-in-Picture mode for Reels • Testing Amazon Lens Live for smarter shopping • Retro gaming hype with the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection and a new He-Man beat-’em-up • Apple event preview: iPhone 17 Air, AirPods 3 with live translation, and more • Plus: Grogu’s big-screen debut, Baja SAE on PBS, and our Awesome Things of the Week 👉 Find links and more at AwesomeCast.com

AwesomeCast 747 – Floating Bars, Hello Kitty Games, and AI Colleagues Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are joined by Kit Mueller of SkillBuilder.io to explore the latest tech, gaming, and Pittsburgh innovations. • Pittsburgh’s new Riverlife “Shore Thing” floating pop-up on the Allegheny, run by Brew Gentlemen. More info • Nintendo Switch’s Hello Kitty and Friends: Freeze Tag Party launching Nov 2025. Game details • AppleCare One: bundling device protection under one plan. Apple announcement • Google Gemini’s new Flash Image editor for smarter, consistent AI photos. Ars Technica coverage • Chachi’s Video Game Minute: Fallout Season 2 trailer + LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight reveal. • Viral cat-subway build, Apple Watch + AI coaching rumors, and more. • Kit Mueller’s spotlight: how SkillBuilder.io is powering “AI colleagues” across Pittsburgh organizations.

Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back with another fun-filled episode of AwesomeCast, bringing their favorite geeky picks and tech stories of the week from Pittsburgh and beyond. 🔸 Highlights from this episode: 🧱 Katie’s Awesome Thing – Hello Kitty x BLDR Toy Bricks Jazwares’ new toy brick line BLDR introduces a Hello Kitty set that caught Katie’s attention. A fun new collectible for fans of kawaii and construction toys. 🔗 https://shop.jazwares.com/pages/bldr 🔗 https://www.target.com/c/hello-kitty/bldr/-/N-p9km2Z4 🚗 Dave’s Awesome Thing – Ford’s New EV Platform Ford is stepping away from Volkswagen’s MEB platform and building its own next-gen EV system in-house. 🔗 https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/08/ford-bets-on-new-ev-platform-ditching-vws-meb 💻 Sorg’s Awesome Thing – ChatGPT 5 in the Terminal Sorg shares his hands-on experience using ChatGPT 5.0 directly in the terminal, a powerful tool for developers and power users. 🔗 https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5 🔗 https://www.axios.com/2025/08/08/openai-aims-gpt5-enterprise 🎧 Tune in and get geeky with us every week at AwesomeCast.com 📍 Recorded from Sorgatron Media Studios in Pittsburgh, PA

In this week’s tech and pop culture roundup, the crew swaps travel tales, dives into toy news, and tries out new gadgets. Hear about a massive indoor amusement park experience, a quirky calendar mash-up, a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy line combining pop culture icons, a nostalgic Mac-style USB-C hub, live object recognition from a mobile AI assistant, a hands-on paper airplane STEM kit, and a retro-style college football mobile game. ⸻ Stories & Gadgets Covered Pop Culture & Experiences • Indoor amusement park adventure – Detailed trip report from a multi-level shopping and entertainment complex featuring a Nickelodeon-themed park, roller coasters, character meet-and-greets, a DreamWorks water park, an indoor ski slope, a two-story toy store, mini-golf, and a giant Ferris wheel with skyline views. • Cat Wars calendar – A humorous monthly mash-up of cats and sci-fi themes, sparking debates over AI vs. Photoshop image origins. • McDonald’s Happy Meal crossover toys – Upcoming U.S. launch of a 12-figure collaboration between Hello Kitty characters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, sparking collector excitement. • Positive pet stories – A heartwarming charity calendar featuring a wheelchair-using dog, plus a social media find following two canine companions traveling the country in a truck. Gadgets & Tech • Retro Macintosh-style USB-C hub – A Kickstarter device styled after the original Macintosh, designed to sit on top of a Mac mini. Adds a 5-inch 720p display and extra ports (USB-A/C, HDMI, audio, card reader). Can function as a standalone USB-C hub for other devices. • AI visual recognition tool – Live camera mode in a mobile AI assistant app that identifies objects in real time and engages in conversational follow-ups for more detail. • Klutz Big Book of Paper Airplanes – A kid-friendly STEM activity book with 10 airplane designs, 40 sheets of colorful paper, folding instructions, and tips for flight performance. • Retro Bowl College Edition mobile game – An 8/16-bit-style football simulator with both arcade play and team management elements, including a full roster of college programs. AI & Workflow • Practical uses for AI tools, including weekly automated reminders for content performance reviews, recipe generation based on available ingredients, and setting up custom assistants for specific research or monitoring tasks.

Join Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar for another wild ride through the latest in tech, geek culture, and digital oddities. From chainsawed sandwiches and pygmy hippos to new AI-powered tools from Google and fun gaming tie-ins, AwesomeCast 743 dives into the fun, weird, and sometimes terrifying world of tech. Whether you’re curious about Google Search’s AI makeover, craving a McDonald’s-themed Joy-Con fry holder, or wondering why a zoo staged a fake hippo escape with an inflatable costume — we’ve got you covered. 📰 Tech & Gadget News Mu Dang the Pygmy Hippo Goes Viral: Thailand zoo runs a full-scale emergency drill with a costumed inflatable hippo to test staff response — adorable and effective training. Google Search Gets AI Canvas Tool: Google is merging its AI tools with search, introducing “Canvas” to generate custom images from text and photos — currently available via the Google mobile app. Notebook LM & AI Overload: Google’s overlapping AI features, including Canvas and Notebook LM, raise questions about branding confusion and user experience as AI moves deeper into search. Copilot in Microsoft Edge: New “Copilot Mode” allows Edge to process and summarize across open tabs, designed for research efficiency — potentially great for students and writers. “Grok” Explained: The term popularized in sci-fi is now an AI term, originally from Stranger in a Strange Land, meaning “to deeply understand”. Chainsaw Sandwiches at Sheets: A bizarre but real marketing stunt — Sheets teamed with Liquid Death to cut sandwiches in half with a chainsaw. Bonus: custom merch drop included. Critical Role Video Game Incoming: A brand-new RPG set in the world of Exandria is in development with Ad Hoc Studio — no timeline yet, but fans are hyped. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gets a Game: A co-op 3D platformer based on the 1964 classic claymation special is dropping for holiday 2025. Netflix’s Happy Gilmore Golf Mayhem 98: Retro browser game launched to promote Happy Gilmore 2, complete with pixel art, chaos on the green, and fighting Bob Barker. AppleCare One Subscription: New $19.99/mo service allows Apple users to cover up to three devices, with theft/loss options and $5.99 add-ons for additional devices. 3D-Printed McDonald’s Fry Holder for Nintendo Switch: A hilarious Joy-Con mod lets gamers hold a box of fries mid-gameplay. Yes, it’s real and printable via Maker World. Mario Paint Returns via Switch Online: Classic SNES creative tool now available — supports USB mouse and works with Nintendo Switch Online’s classic game collection. Google Photos AI Makeover: New VO2-powered features let users animate photos, turn images into comics or anime, and access all creation tools via a new “Create” tab.

This week on AwesomeCast, we’re diving into the future of visual technology with Wally Haas, the founder of Avalon Holographics. From real, light-field holographic displays to the practical applications in medicine, defense, and entertainment, this episode is a glimpse at the future of immersive 3D visualization. We also break down tech updates from the cosplay-packed halls of Tekko 2025 in Pittsburgh, explore camera app alternatives like PostPic, and check out the latest headlines in gaming with the Chachi Video Game Minute. Whether you’re curious about holograms, anime conventions, or how your iPhone can become a pro-level camera, this geeky roundtable has you covered! 🔗 Find more tech content at www.AwesomeCast.com 🧊 Guest Interview – Wally Haas, Avalon Holographics Real Holographic Displays: Avalon Holographics creates light-field holographic tables where 3D visuals “pop out” and can be viewed from multiple angles—no glasses or headsets required. Tech Specs: The display features the light data equivalent of 3,000 HD TVs (5 billion pixels); uses light ray simulation to create real-life visual depth. Medical Applications: Assists with surgical planning, patient education, and digital twins of anatomy. Particularly useful for robotic and laparoscopic procedures. Defense Applications: Provides 3D battle scene visualizations for real-time awareness, terrain navigation, and decision-making using LiDAR and drone data. Entertainment & Future Uses: High-potential for theme parks, gaming simulations, haunted attractions, and eventually mainstream displays. Think “Star Wars chess table meets Iron Man HUD.” AI Integration: Enhances design and diagnostics by visualizing AI-analyzed parts and potential system failures in holographic form. Origin Story: Inspired by Iron Man 2 and frustration with understanding mechanical systems, Wally leveraged his semiconductor background to create his second startup. 🕹️ Chachi Says Video Game Minute Ubisoft Claims Microtransactions = Fun: Controversial statement that optional purchases enhance enjoyment. Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed Series: After a 2020 announcement, Netflix is finally moving forward. Legend of Zelda Live Action Movie: Cast announced with Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. 📸 Dave’s Awesome Thing – PostPic Camera App VSCO & Lightroom Alternative: Free iPhone app for film-style photography with retro presets like Kodak Gold and Mad Max. Photo Editing Features: Offers bloom, halation, and full editing control—ideal for artistic iPhoneography. No Subscription Needed: Created by a developer tired of costly photo apps. 🎭 Sorg’s Awesome Thing – Tekko 2025 Recap Cosplay Culture Explosion: Sorg and Intern John explored Pittsburgh’s Tekko anime convention, spotlighting creative cosplay and DIY craftsmanship. Costume Interviews: Featured 3D-printed helmets, robotic arms, and integrated smoke effects. Pro Production Tips: iPhone 13 Pro Max used for interviews, combined with mobile mics and BTS videography. Mic success rate ~80%. Content Rollout: Full 16-minute video on YouTube with Instagram highlights; cosplay community engagement already strong. 📺 – “Breaking the Bird” (HBO Documentary) Twitter Origins & Evolution: Four-part HBO series covers Twitter’s early culture, global impact, and internal struggles before Elon Musk’s acquisition. Nostalgia Trigger: Explores how Twitter grew into a cultural phenomenon for everything from politics to community-building. Not Overly Elon-Focused: Avoids dwelling solely on Elon Musk, instead offering a full historical arc.

In this episode of AwesomeCast, co-hosts Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into the latest tech trends, gadgets, and geek culture from Pittsburgh and beyond. Sorg shares a hands-on review of the Backbone USB-C mobile game controller, and Dave unveils a jaw-dropping 115-inch Hisense Mini-LED TV that costs as much as a car. We explore tech headlines including the consolidation of ChromeOS and Android, Google’s AI-powered NotebookLM, and how Xbox is pushing console-less gaming with Fire TV bundles. Plus, hear from Intern John about Picklesburgh adventures and travel plans, and enjoy a rapid-fire roundup in Chachi’s Video Game Minute, featuring a major shakeup on Steam and FBI action on ROM sites. 👉 Don’t miss insider insights, live tech demos, and how these innovations impact gamers, journalists, and content creators alike. 🎮📱🔥 ⸻ 🔹 Tech & News Highlights from the Show 🕹 Backbone USB-C Game Controller Review (Sorg’s Awesome Thing of the Week) • Hands-on demo of the Backbone USB-C controller for mobile gaming. • Works with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, GeForce Now, Luna, and Apple Arcade. • Reviewed its build quality, compatibility issues with rugged phone cases, and a sketchy subscription model (Backbone+). • Compared against cheaper, less intuitive Chinese controllers (e.g., Shanwan). • Noted advantages: plug-and-play, pass-through USB-C charging, and overall solid ergonomics. • Challenges: loud buttons, unclear subscription pricing, and awkward button placement that may interfere with gameplay. 📺 Hisense 115-Inch Mini LED TV (Dave’s Awesome Thing of the Week) • Features cutting-edge Mini LED technology with RGB pixel precision. • Massive size (115 inches) with 165Hz refresh rate. • Retails at $30,000 – aimed at high-end, future-looking consumers. • A CES-style “dream product” that showcases where display tech is headed. 🔥 Xbox Cloud Gaming on Fire Stick • Highlighted Prime Day bundle: Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller + Fire TV Stick + Game Pass Ultimate. • Critiqued misleading headline about “Jeff Bezos destroying Xbox console sales.” • Explained how this supports Xbox’s strategy to expand beyond physical consoles via cloud gaming. • Limitations: game access may vary (e.g., owned titles like WWE 2K25 not playable via cloud), and still in beta. 💻 ChromeOS & Android Merger • Google plans to merge ChromeOS and Android into a unified system for Chromebooks. • ChromeOS will run on top of a new Android base, similar to Windows on MS-DOS architecture. • Aimed at increasing app compatibility and reducing confusion for users, especially in education sectors. 🧠 Google NotebookLM Pre-Loaded Topics • Google introduces featured notebooks in NotebookLM to help users get started with generative AI tools. • Topics include Shakespeare, Yellowstone science, Q1 earnings of top companies, parenting advice, and more. • Offers curated collections for journalists, students, and researchers. • Encourages practical AI use cases like digesting long court documents or summarizing email exchanges. 🎮 Chachi’s Video Game Minute • FBI seizes 7 ROM sites; 3.2 million illegal downloads valued at $170M. • Google Gemini AI refuses to play chess after other AIs lose—possibly demonstrating learning. • Stardew Valley dethrones Portal 2 as Steam’s highest-rated game after 14 years. 📽 Bonus: Side Mentions & Upcoming Events • Picklesburgh recap: Sorg and Intern John discuss crowds, cream soda, and floating pickles. • Upcoming media coverage from Tekko Anime Convention in Pittsburgh. • Talk of live reaction content like “Don’t Copy That Floppy” and other nostalgic tech PSAs. • Reminder of the Patreon-exclusive content and shoutouts to show supporters.