AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Grok This! Google AI, Chainsawed Sandwiches & Mario Paint Returns | Episode 743

July 30th, 2025  |  59 mins 49 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

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.

From Sci-Fi to Surgery: Real Holograms with Avalon’s Wally Haas | AwesomeCast 742

July 23rd, 2025  |  1 hr 15 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

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.

Gaming on the Go: Backbone Review & Xbox Without a Console | AwesomeCast 741

July 16th, 2025  |  1 hr 2 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

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.

Adulting at Chuck E. Cheese, Pickle Triathlons & Fire Truck Cam Hacks | AwesomeCast 740

July 9th, 2025  |  58 mins 44 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

🎧 On this week’s AwesomeCast 740, we get geeky with Pittsburgh’s iconic Picklesburgh festival, explore high-tech safety gear for fire trucks, and unbox a McDonald’s Happy Meal inside a Happy Meal. Plus, we chat about Anthrocon’s $89K cat rescue donation, a Chuck E. Cheese arcade just for adults, and whether AirPods Pro 2 can replace hearing aids. Don’t miss Dave’s electric chipper review, Katie’s pickle adventures, and a Pope-signed Pokémon card! 🥒🐾⚡

AI Outfits & Tiny Happy Meals: Tech Gets Weird | AwesomeCast 739

July 2nd, 2025  |  53 mins 50 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

Password Leaks, Lizard Geeks & LEGO Sneaks | AwesomeCast 738

June 25th, 2025  |  51 mins 12 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg and Katie Dudas dive into their behind-the-scenes experience streaming the Formula SAE EV competition, overcoming wireless challenges and unexpected tech hiccups. Katie shares a LEGO robotics kit from her niece’s STEM camp, Chachi reports on Netflix’s Dragon’s Lair adaptation, and we explore an incredible photo-enhancing app, a Godzilla-themed Alamo Drafthouse, and T-Mobile’s new Starlink satellite texting service. Plus, we cover urgent news on Facebook group shutdowns and a massive global password breach.

Project Indigo, Ponchos & Pittsburgh Pride | AwesomeCast 737

June 17th, 2025  |  58 mins 19 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

The AwesomeCast crew goes live from Adrian, Michigan to talk tech, travel, and gear in the field! Sorg, Katie, and Dave share behind-the-scenes insights from covering the Formula SAE EV competition, highlight Knockaround’s fun and functional sunglasses, and explore Adobe’s new AI-powered camera app, Project Indigo. Plus, they unpack Honda’s regulation-bending e-bike delivery vehicle and dive into the conspiracy lore of the Denver Airport. Don’t miss this week’s ChachiSays Video Game Minute featuring Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, PS5 milestones, and MLB meets gaming. Watch, listen, and get geeky at www.AwesomeCast.com!

Liquid Glass & AI Sass: WWDC 2024 Breakdown | AwesomeCast 736

June 11th, 2025  |  1 hr 3 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar are joined by Greg McMillan of the iPhoneography Podcast to break down the biggest announcements from Apple’s WWDC 2024. They dive into the iOS 18 redesign, new iPadOS multitasking features, Apple Intelligence updates with ChatGPT integration, and major improvements to CarPlay. Plus, they explore what the new tools mean for podcasters and content creators. Chachi delivers a packed Video Game Minute, and pro wrestler Zeke Mercer drops in to talk about Apple vs Android from a creator’s perspective.

From Star Wars Coolers to Self-Driving Cars: Geek Tech Goes Mobile | AwesomeCast 735

June 3rd, 2025  |  1 hr 6 mins

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

In this special on-location episode of AwesomeCast 735, recorded live from the Hilton Garden Inn in Ann Arbor during the SAE Autodrive Challenge, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are joined by Pittsburgh-based cinematographer Scotty Swemba. The crew dives into new tech discoveries including the Bing AI video creator, Apple’s latest game studio acquisition, and Katie’s OmniBreeze fan obsession. They also explore how Scotty brings a cinematic eye to live productions, including their evolving video work for SAE events. Plus: robot droids that follow you, iPhone filmmaking in Hollywood, and the return of Cat Wars. It’s geeky, techy, sweaty (thanks to the heat), and wonderfully weird — exactly what you expect from AwesomeCast.

Birds, Bytes & Barrel Rolls: Tech Takes Flight | AwesomeCsst 734

May 28th, 2025  |  55 mins 5 secs

pittsburgh, podcast, social media, sorgatron media, tech news

On this episode of AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg, Dave Podnar, and Katie Dudas dive into geeky goodness and tech trends with plenty of laughs and thoughtful discussion. Dave unboxes his TMS Vegas 2025 swag bag and shares insights on community-building through podcast merchandise. Katie introduces the Merlin Bird ID app by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, perfect for identifying bird sounds offline. Sorg finally rides Kennywood’s Steel Curtain coaster and gives us a coaster-lover’s review. The crew also discusses the importance of game ownership vs. price hikes in Chachi’s Video Game Minute rant. Plus, there’s a touching moment celebrating the engineer who saved Apollo 13. They close with a look at Surf Social, a new content aggregation app from the creators of Flipboard, and preview upcoming projects in video streaming, pro wrestling, and tech production.