AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

After a busy weekend bouncing between time zones and community events, Sorg, Katie “Dudders” Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back with a packed episode that blends creator tools, gadget talk, and pop-culture tech—from an arcade full of adoptable cats to AI-generated music you can actually license. AwesomeCast 767 LIVE! Sangawa Project highlights (Pittsburgh) The crew opens with a quick recap of Sangawa Project: what stood out, what they enjoyed, and why the event’s community energy made it a win. AwesomeCast 767 LIVE! Awesome Things of the Week Catcade (Chicago): A cat rescue that doubles as a cat lounge—complete with arcade games and clever “cat-fied” cabinets. Link: https://www.thecatcade.org Suno (AI music): Sorg jumps into Suno for the first time, building a song around “I dream about wrestling all day,” and talks through licensing and real-world promo use. Links: https://suno.com/create?signup_source=splashpage&referrer=%2Fhome&redirected_from=signin https://suno.com/s/V5QWfrxZndcduHJX Moment iPhone lenses: Podnar shares hands-on impressions of Moment’s lens ecosystem (portrait tele, wide, macro) and why real glass still matters. Link: https://www.shopmoment.com/articles/moments-t-series-mobile-lens-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoor-0pyHIQh7daYRVEuf13_G8tYtu_pRbjlI1WpszNUYhtTCgHH Video Game Minute: Tecmo Bowl movie + Switch 2 numbers Chachi drops the headlines: a Tecmo Bowl movie in the works and Switch 2 sales hitting a huge milestone. Links: https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/tecmo-bowl-movie-tongal-football-video-game-1236650837/ https://www.mediaplaynews.com/nintendos-video-game-console-switch-2-tops-17-million-unit-sales/ Super Bowl ads, AI vibes, and halftime logistics They dig into the feel of this year’s ads (including AI reactions), the Dunkin’ marketing/merch chaos, and the production nerd joy of halftime logistics and camera timing. Links: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ad-meter/2026/02/08/dunkin-super-bowl-commercial-good-will-hunting-affleck-brady/88556931007/ https://www.tiktok.com/@wired/video/7604695226376146189?_r=1&_t=ZT-93lsbdbtjp8 Black History spotlight: Marie Van Brittan Brown A reminder that modern “Ring camera culture” has roots: Marie Van Brittan Brown’s home security and surveillance concepts helped shape what became everyday tech. Link: https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/marie-van-brittan-brown#:~:text=In%201966%2C%20Brown%2C%20along%20with,door%20at%20a%20safer%20distance . AwesomeCast 767 LIVE! Creator tip: Download YouTube video, audio, and subtitles with Downie Sorg shares a workflow for grabbing a full-quality YouTube file (and even pulling subtitles/SRT) to speed up editing, transcription, and repurposing.

This week on AwesomeCast 764, cohosts Michael Sorg, Dave Podnar, and Katie Dudas dive into the week’s biggest tech and creator stories—plus a special Animal Crossing 3.0 update field report from Charlotte. Katie checks in with her Animal Crossing–obsessed niece Charlotte to break down what’s new, what’s addictive, and how “slumber islands” change the way you build and share your island adventures.  Then the crew hits a surprisingly heartfelt app story with “Are You Dead?”, a daily check-in safety app built for modern life when friends and family live far apart.  We also get into the rise of cozy “chore games” like PowerWash Simulator and other satisfyingly organized gaming obsessions.  On the creator side, we break down Apple’s new Creator Studio approach—what it could mean for Final Cut, Logic, Motion, and Compressor—and why AI-assisted editing features are starting to matter for everyday workflows.  Plus: OpenAI’s push toward age prediction and the complications that come with automated verification.  Show notes + links: (include the link list above) Animal Crossing • Animal Crossing video (Katie segment) (no URL listed in the sheet row; included as an on-show segment) “Chore games” / cozy games • A Game About Digging a Hole (Xbox): https://www.xbox.com/en-US/play/games/a-game-about-digging-a-hole/9NGLST31DG26 • A Game About Digging a Hole (Nintendo): https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/a-game-about-digging-a-hole-switch/ • PowerWash Simulator (Apple App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/powerwash-simulator/id6477445344 “Are You Dead?” app • BGR story: https://www.bgr.com/2074610/are-you-dead-top-paid-iphone-app-china/ • DeMumu app listing: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/demumu/id6745099872 ChachiSays Video Game Minute items (from the sheet) • David Rosen / Sega co-founder (Tom’s Hardware): https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/sega-co-founder-david-r…d-former-us-airman-set-up-sega-after-his-service-ended-in-japan • Assassin’s Creed Netflix casting (Deadline): https://deadline.com/2026/01/assassins-creed-tanzyn-crawford-cast-netflix-series-1236658813/ • John Wick universe AAA game (Tech4Gamers): https://tech4gamers.com/aaa-john-wick-game-development/ AI / OpenAI / Sora • Mattel on Sora profile: https://sora.chatgpt.com/profile/mattel • OpenAI age prediction (Engadget): https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-is-launching-age-prediction-for-chatgpt-accounts-222650340.html • ChatGPT Health page: https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-health/ Creator tools • Apple Creator Studio (Apple Newsroom): https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/01/introducing-apple-creator-studio-an-inspiring-collection-of-creative-apps/ • Adobe Premiere AI updates (Engadget): https://www.engadget.com/ai/adobe-unveils-new-ai-powered-vide…vlq1gStDzB9i-clNMdAMo4O0o4ro8ohtbVXETV41pRXvEFAQZh6nDH-1vO91dYLO

In this end-of-year AwesomeCast, hosts Michael Sorg and Katie Dudas are joined by original AwesomeCast co-host Rob De La Cretaz for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest tech shifts of 2025 — and what’s coming next. The panel breaks down how AI tools became genuinely useful in everyday workflows, from content production and health tracking to decision-making and trend analysis. Rob shares why Bambu Labs 3D printers represent a turning point in consumer and professional 3D printing, removing friction and making rapid prototyping accessible for creators, engineers, and hobbyists alike. The episode also covers the evolving role of AI in media creation, concerns around over-reliance and trust, and why human-made content may soon become a premium feature. Intern Mac reflects on changing career paths into media production, while the crew revisits their 2025 tech predictions, holds themselves accountable, and locks in bold forecasts for 2026. Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, AI competition heating up, Apple Vision Pro speculation, and why “AI inside” may need clearer definitions moving forward.

In this episode of AwesomeCast 761, Michael Sorg is joined by Intern Mac and Intern Tony for a wildly geeky night of robots, AI, VR, and very silly holiday gifts. We kick things off with the new Robosen Shockwave Transformer robot, a $1,000 self-transforming Decepticon boombox that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, then fall down a rabbit hole of programmable Transformers, Buzz Lightyear, and WALL-E robots for STEM-minded kids. From there, Mac highlights Apple’s latest Apple TV “liquid glass” intro, crafted with real glass panes and practical effects instead of AI – a hopeful sign for human artists in an AI-heavy world. Sorg shares what it’s like living with an AI-generated news anchor on his Telly-style TV, including a bizarre “buff Judge Elvis” story that looks nothing like the real judge and points toward a future of AI hosts on gas-station and in-store TVs. The crew then revisits GameStop’s “Trade Anything” day, reacting to reports of taxidermy, cans of beans, cursed plushies, and stressed-out employees caught between corporate hype and real-world chaos. On the gaming and VR side, we look at a mod project that brings classic shooters like Quake III, Doom 3, Redneck Rampage, and Quake 4 into standalone VR on Meta Quest headsets and reminisce about the clunky mall-VR rigs of the 1990s. Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers the Helldivers movie, Netflix’s proposed Warner Bros / WB Games deal, and rumored Japanese studios making design applicants draw by hand to avoid AI shortcuts – which leads into a deeper chat about Netflix potentially owning Mortal Kombat, Batman Arkham, DC Comics, and what that means for movies and games. Tony’s Awesome Thing of the Week is pure chaos: the TikTok-viral “Butts on Things” activity books, puzzles, and Cheek-to-Cheek card game – proving once again that everyone finds butts funny and weird gifts win Christmas. We wrap with internship reflections, from Apple sock purses and new Apple gadgets to everything Mac and Tony have learned about podcast production, live streaming, editing, and social media on the Sorgatron Media shows. Stick around to the end for a tease of our Patreon-exclusive segment featuring the creepiest robot dogs you’ll ever see.

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.