This week on AwesomeCast 781, Sorg, Katie, and Podnar are recording from the road in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while covering the AutoDrive Challenge and breaking down a packed week in tech, gaming, AI, gadgets, and local Pittsburgh creativity.
Stories & Gadgets Discussed:
He-Man movie excitement and Denny’s tie-in menu
https://www.dennys.com/promotions/he-man-movie
Sorg and Katie talk Masters of the Universe hype, themed shirts, Skeletor, nostalgia, and the wild Denny’s promotional food lineup.
USB-C wireless lavalier microphone from TikTok Shop
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP92fEduBXyNW-MWMCM/
Podnar shows off a budget two-pack wireless lav mic with charging case, USB-C receiver, magnetic clips, pass-through charging, and easy phone/computer setup.
Pride History Month: Alan Turing
https://www.alanturing.net
Podnar highlights Alan Turing’s role in breaking Enigma, early computing, artificial intelligence, the Turing Test, and his importance during Pride Month.
ChachiSays Video Game Minute: Steam Deck price increase
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz725d5d1x7o
Chachi covers a reported 40% Steam Deck price jump and the larger conversation around gaming hardware costs.
Modern Warfare’s next story setting
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9q391y5088o
The next Modern Warfare game is discussed with a plot centered around Korea and the North/South conflict.
Unreal Engine 6 announced
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/epic-announces-unreal-engine-6-which-will-run-the-next-era-of-rocket-league/
Epic’s Unreal Engine 6 announcement gets spotlighted, including its connection to the next era of Rocket League.
NVIDIA-linked mini AI data centers for the home
https://www.inc.com/moses-jeanfrancois/nvidia-mini-ai-data-center-house/91340588?brid=YWdncwHdllWCngoYfFZ4UgdFmvNg
The crew discusses the idea of installing small AI data centers at homes, possible monthly compensation, energy concerns, smart panels, solar power, and whether distributed AI infrastructure makes sense.
Virtual Boy games added to Nintendo Switch Online
https://www.vgchartz.com/article/467822/5-virtual-boy-games-added-to-nintendo-switch-online/
Sorg talks about trying the new Virtual Boy library on Switch, including Space Invaders, Jack Bros, Tetris, Mario Clash-style gameplay, and the weird legacy of Nintendo’s red-and-black headset.
Donkey Kong 64 coming to Nintendo Switch Online
https://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-64-confirmed-for-nintendo-switch-online
Donkey Kong 64 is joining Nintendo Switch Online, giving Sorg another retro Nintendo title to revisit.
Google fake call detection for AI impersonation scams
https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/02/google-rolls-out-fake-call-detection-to-protect-against-ai-deepfake-impersonation-scams/
Katie explains Google’s Phone by Google fake call detection, device verification, RCS, and why families may need modern “secret word” safety plans to combat AI voice scams.
Squonk’s Joy Machine at Three Rivers Arts Festival
https://www.wesa.fm/arts-culture/2026-06-02/pittsburghs-squonk-joy-machine-three-rivers-arts-festival
Katie spotlights Pittsburgh performance group Squonk and their interactive Joy Machine street puppet installation at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Microsoft Scout AI agent
https://www.wired.com/story/meet-microsoft-scout-your-ai-coworker-that-never-logs-off/
Podnar discusses Microsoft’s move toward smaller AI agents built into Office, Teams, calendars, and workplace tools.
Michigan fireball
https://www.mlive.com/weather/2026/06/bright-fireball-flared-out-over-michigan-monday-night-did-you-find-debris-in-your-yard.html
Podnar shares reports of a bright fireball over Michigan and Ohio, meteor debris, and how these events remind us we are part of a much bigger universe.