Sorg, Katie Dudas and Dave Podnar spend this week’s episode looking at where Apple is going next, while also catching up on Nintendo, MapQuest, Pittsburgh technology and some unusually revealing internet analytics.

Siri Gets Smarter — Eventually

Dave upgraded to iOS 27 and came away impressed with its speed and stability, but the headline Siri AI features come with a catch: there’s a waitlist.

Apple’s rollout includes a more capable Siri experience, improved Visual Intelligence and upgrades to Image Playground. Sorg, who had access earlier through the beta process, says Siri already appears better at understanding spoken requests and answering questions without immediately handing everything off elsewhere.

More on the Siri AI rollout:
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/ios-27-siri-ai-has-waitlist-how-to-join/

Apple’s $1,999 Foldable Experiment

Then there’s the iPhone Duo.

The foldable became one of the episode’s biggest discussions after an unlikely piece of analytics showed just how much attention Apple’s announcement received: Pornhub reported a significant traffic drop when Apple revealed the device.

https://mashable.com/life/pornhub-apple-event-viewers-dropped-iphone-duo

Beyond the jokes, there are intriguing ideas here. Apple is using matching aspect ratios between the outside and inside displays, potentially making life easier for developers. The larger format opens up interesting multitasking possibilities, and the crew sees potential for business users, presenters and some creators.

The problem is impossible to ignore: $1,999 is a lot of money for a phone.

Katie compares the experience to having a dual-monitor setup in your pocket but struggles to get past the cost. Sorg sees the Duo more as Apple’s latest first-generation experiment — something that may eventually trickle down into less expensive devices after early adopters figure out what the form factor is actually good for.

Apple Watch Solves the “What Did They Just Say?” Problem

A smaller Apple announcement may prove more immediately useful.

The crew discusses an Apple Watch listening feature that can help recover something you recently heard. The example involved replaying information like restaurant specials, but Sorg immediately saw a production use for it: remembering instructions received in a noisy event environment.

Sometimes the best technology feature isn’t spectacular. It simply fixes a small problem that happens constantly.

Nintendo Looks Back — and Forward

Chachi’s Video Game Minute brings an update on the White House Tetris-style game, which has now been removed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/09/08/white-house-removes-controversial-tetris-style-game-from-arcade-website/

Nintendo also showed gameplay for the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, scheduled for November 5.

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-shares-the-first-gameplay-and-release-date-for-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake/

Sorg continues the Nintendo discussion with Mario Kart World’s newly accessible recreations of classic Super Nintendo tracks and a new Metroid announcement.

Mario Kart update:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1711610297636885&set=gm.2640543926409864&idorvanity=234524630345151

Nintendo Direct roundup:
https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-direct-september-2026-live-report-all-the-announcements-as-they-happen?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=NL_FIX_Sep_09_2026&cmp=1&utm_medium=email&Ictg=46311792229

The larger question is whether Nintendo is leaning too heavily on remakes — even as genuinely new games continue arriving beside them.

MapQuest Wins With Whimsy

MapQuest’s unexpected comeback continues, powered partly by something its bigger competitors often lack: personality.

Katie introduces two more Questies — Corgi and Black Cat — along with Rufus, the dog who inspired the Corgi design, and the upcoming Jimothy character. Future MapQuest updates are also expected to include CarPlay, Android Auto and transit improvements.

Corgi and Black Cat:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNtRdGFMqk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Rufus:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdP_UXVG4bp/?img_index=2

Jimothy:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdUwv6mp_yC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

It’s a reminder that a challenger brand doesn’t always have to beat Google on pure scale. Sometimes giving people a reason to care about the product is enough to get another look.

From CAPTCHA to Duolingo

For Hispanic Heritage Month, Dave’s Awesome History segment highlights Luis von Ahn.

Von Ahn came from Guatemala to Carnegie Mellon, became one of the researchers behind CAPTCHA and later co-founded Duolingo. The discussion expands into the importance of university research and how work that begins without an obvious commercial product can eventually become foundational technology.

https://www.invent.org/inductees/luis-von-ahn

Wrestling in a Military Hangar

Sorg’s Awesome Thing of the Week comes from a very different kind of technology production.

The Sidekick Media crew helped capture Prospect Pro Wrestling’s “Banger in the Hangar” at the 911th Air Wing. Wrestlers entered through a huge cargo aircraft, Stormtroopers showed up, the Pirate Parrot got involved, and the production took place inside an enormous working hangar.

Watch the event:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kqJY33amJ0

It is another episode that jumps from smartphones and video games to Pittsburgh production stories — exactly the kind of wonderfully strange technology mix AwesomeCast was built for.

Support AwesomeCast at Patreon.com/AwesomeCast and find more shows at www.SorgatronMedia.com.

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Then the crew gets into everything from simulated RC racing and Apple’s latest Macs to a life-size Grogu, Linux history, Pokémon fossils, GTA VI leaks, and gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Topics discussed include:

• Remembering Dolly Parton – The crew reflects on Parton’s passing, her charitable legacy, her support of literacy programs, and the positive impact she made far beyond entertainment.
• RC racing meets full-size driving simulators – Sorg discovers first-person RC car racing setups that combine tiny vehicles, onboard cameras, and full simulator rigs. The conversation explores CloudRC, RC aircraft, and whether experiences like this could become the next arcade, mall, or Dave & Buster’s attraction.
• Apple updates the Mac mini and Mac Studio – Dave breaks down Apple’s new Mac hardware, including the M6 chip, pricing, local AI performance, and the ability to combine machines over Thunderbolt 5. The crew discusses why local AI processing could become increasingly important for businesses dealing with cloud costs, privacy, and sensitive data.
• Pokémon Fossils invade Chicago – Chachi reports from the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum, where fossils inspired by the games are compared with real paleontology. The exhibit even includes Pokémon GO bonuses and limited merchandise.
• Dungeon Crawler Carl and 3D printing – Katie opens her mysterious box of 3D-printed creations from Chachi’s Plastic Fun Time shop, including Dungeon Crawler Carl characters, ornaments, magnets, Pokémon-inspired pieces, the infamous Rock Lobster, and more.
• Linux turns 35 – Dave traces the unlikely chain of events connecting AT&T antitrust action, UNIX, GNU, Linus Torvalds, and the operating system that became one of the foundations of modern computing. There’s even a bonus discussion about Linux running on a Sega 32X.
• Kingdom Hearts expands – Chachi’s Video Game Minute covers a 2027 release window for Kingdom Hearts 4 and a planned animated Kingdom Hearts series for Disney+.
• Mattel builds its own game studio – Mattel is expanding its internal video game operation with hundreds of developers and new games based on properties including UNO and Hot Wheels.
• GTA VI leaks and the digital ownership fight – The show looks at reported leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI material tied to protests over digital-only game distribution and the broader debate over whether players actually own their digital purchases.
• Transformers comes to Minecraft – Sorg and Katie explore the Transformers content available through the Minecraft Marketplace, including G1-inspired characters, story-based gameplay, combat modes, and plenty of temptation for Transformers fans.
• A nearly life-size Ultimate Grogu – Hasbro Pulse has a roughly 14.6-inch animatronic Grogu featuring movement, sounds, multiple interaction modes, cosplay-friendly settings, and a $599.99 price tag.
• Nature Calls restroom finder launches – The crowdsourced restroom-finding app discussed on an earlier AwesomeCast is now available, helping users locate bathrooms, water fountains, porta-potties, and other facilities.
• Gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport – Sorg checks out Gameway, a gaming lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport offering video games, snacks, drinks, and another option for travelers with time before a flight.
• Disney characters meet NFL teams – Disney and the NFL have teamed up for team-specific character merchandise. The Pittsburgh Steelers get Pete, while other combinations include Captain America with the Patriots, Thor with the Vikings, Darth Vader with the Raiders, and more.

The crew also checks in on their recent Pittsburgh Shootout adventures and previews more of what’s happening around the Sorgatron Media universe.

RC Racing / CloudRC
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/
https://store.cloudrc.com/

Plastic Fun Time 3D Prints
https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/

Apple Mac mini / Mac Studio Updates
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/

35 Years of Linux
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure

Kingdom Hearts Announcements
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/

Mattel Game Studios
https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968

GTA VI Leak Story
https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases

Transformers Minecraft
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694

Nature Calls Restroom Finder – iOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853

Ultimate Grogu
https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00

Pittsburgh Airport Gameway
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg==
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987

Disney x Pittsburgh Steelers
https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static\_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh\_Steelers\_disney%7D

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

The crew also gets into Pittsburgh technology history with plans to preserve Westinghouse’s Atom Smasher, the impressive Commercial Street Bridge replacement, and the accessibility origins of the modern audiobook.

Then the geekery kicks into high gear: Xbox expands its classic-game preservation efforts to PC, Hasbro combines Transformers with Jem and the Holograms, LEGO brings Smart Play to Star Trek, Robosen releases an Optimus Prime robot designed to reopen childhood wounds, and Universal plans movies based on ten Atari properties.

Plus, Chachi has gaming headlines involving Hasbro, Steam Deck and Atari, and the crew discusses the backlash surrounding a $58,000 humanoid robot proposed for use in a New York school district.

It’s Pittsburgh technology, AI creativity, retro gaming, accessibility, robots and pop-culture nostalgia on AwesomeCast 789.

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk