On AwesomeCast 795, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore gaming news, gadgets, apps, and geek culture from Pittsburgh.

• Xbox Cloud Gaming limits: Sorg explains why he moved his Xbox Series S back downstairs. The hosts discuss the impact of monthly streaming allowances on long games and cloud-focused devices, plus a follow-up on Xbox’s disc-to-digital licensing preview.
https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-announces-big-changes-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-switches-to-monthly-hour-limits

• Next-generation Xbox affordability: An interview about Project Helix sparks a conversation about efficiency, console prices, PC game compatibility, and unanswered disc-drive questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txuYKwrbq1M

• Retro cartridges on modern computers: Sorg discovers Epilogue’s GB Operator and SN Operator. The discussion covers playing existing Game Boy and Super Nintendo collections, preserving cartridge saves, and a Game Boy Camera connection.
https://apple.news/A9oaGgCU0QpqcvQLP7ttlKQ

• MapQuest’s 8-bit personality: Katie shares her experience with pixel-style maps, Questies character avatars, playful navigation voices, CarPlay, and live radio.

• Star Trek at 60: Dave reflects on the franchise’s cultural impact, diverse vision of the future, and connections to real-world technology, from communicators to tablet-like PADDs.

• John Snow and disease mapping: Dave’s Awesome History explores the Broad Street cholera outbreak and connects historical mapping with modern wastewater surveillance and community preparedness.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1854_Broad_Street_cholera_outbreak

• Panic’s tariff refunds: ChachiSays covers the Playdate company’s decision to return tariff charges to customers.
https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/tariff-refunds-sent-to-video-game-customers-not-our-money.html

• The Tetris Company responds: Chachi discusses the company’s statement about a Tetris-like game on the White House website.
https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/tetris-company-trump-white-house-build-the-wall-game-copyright-1236851993/

• Zelda anniversary reactions: Sorg discusses the presentation’s movie reveal, music-tour news, and Ocarina of Time remake footage. The hosts weigh remake pricing, revisit Nintendo memories, and talk Twilight Princess, Star Fox, and Super Mario Sunshine.
https://www.theverge.com/games/991265/the-legend-of-zelda-40th-anniversary-direct

• Street Fighter 6 meets the movies: Movie-actor challenger screens, including Roman Reigns as Akuma, spark excitement and memories of Street Fighter’s earlier film and game crossover.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1755856245623451

• Snoopy at Starbucks: Katie highlights Great Pumpkin-inspired Peanuts merchandise, including mugs, travel cups, bags, and pins.
https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2026/starbucks-and-peanuts-celebrate-fall-with-a-global-merch-collection-inspired-by-the-great-pumpkin/

• Dungeon Crawler Carl LEGO Ideas: Two fan proposals bring Carl, Princess Donut, and friends into brick form. The hosts explore a dungeon scene and larger character builds seeking community support.
https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/eb3c3057-8646-45b4-86ba-dfc08ba7e7e8
https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/6e47b028-7cba-48bc-81d9-a1461bdd4d08

• Clucky’s demanding wake-up call: Sorg sets up a rooster alarm app with snooze challenges, samples its loud sounds, and chooses a tilt-game mission. Katie explains how the app turns getting out of bed into an interactive routine.
https://tryclucky.com

Plus, Dave shares his Steelers 5K experience, and the hosts bring their usual mix of hands-on discoveries, gaming opinions, and Pittsburgh personality.

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

We've got Uncle Crappy back in studio to join Katie, Sorg, and Chilla as we talk this week in tech, including:

• When you have the Beer Me guy on the podcast, he brings beer. Tune in to see what we're drinking in studio!
• Uncle Crappy is sharing the Moto Z4 as his Awesome Thing of the Week.
• Chilla is sharing the Elgato stream deck as his Awesome Thing of the Week.
• Katie is sharing an interesting use of Tesla's auto-pilot feature as her Awesome Thing of the Week.
• Sorg is sharing Mario Kart Tour as his Awesome Thing of the Week.
• PSA - Remember to watch your orientation for video on social media.
• Looking for something bigger and deeper for your vertical garden? There's a wall planter for you on Amazon!
• Queen Elizabeth receives over a million dick pics since joining Instagram.
• VR has been used for lots of things - now it's helping with pain management and opioid usage.
• iPod Touch is still a relevant part of tech conversations.
• Looking to do a home remodel? Modsy allows you to check it out in AR before you commit to something you'll regret later!
• Contra anniversary collection is coming.
• He-Man or She-Ra fan? How about a power sword power strip?
• Katie is sad that her 3-in-1 TV/VCR/DVD combo player died.
• Panic's PlayDate comes with a crank - but at least there's WiFi!
• LEGO is celebrating Geek Pride Day the right way - with PacMan!

After the show remember to:

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Also, check out sorgatronmedia.com and awesomecast.com for more entertainment; and view us livestreaming Tuesdays around 7:00 PM EST

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk