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.

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Katie begins with Mama’s Night Off, a browser game inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley bar. Dave introduces Garmin’s new screenless fitness tracker, an alternative to smartwatches and subscription-heavy wearables. Sorg shares his experience setting up RetroArch on Apple TV, including its wide range of supported systems, open-source games, ROM management, controllers, and the tinkering required to make everything work.

The conversation expands into the tension between digital convenience and physical ownership. The hosts discuss GameStop’s response to Sony’s physical-media decisions, the rapid progress of PlayStation 5 emulation, and why consumers are returning to CDs, vinyl, cassettes, retro games, and other physical formats.

They also have an extended discussion about generative AI, creative production, AI-assisted image editing, automation tools, corporate responsibility, electrical-grid pressures, and the rapid construction of data centers. The hosts examine the difference between rejecting AI entirely and learning how to use it responsibly while still demanding accountability from businesses and government.

Later, the show looks at NASA’s Psyche spacecraft capturing a Mars flyby, Pittsburgh movie history through the Pastfinders app, a minimalist flip phone for people who want fewer distractions, a development board that turns old Nintendo Wii Remotes into customizable controllers, and Google Photos restoring a traditional search option alongside Ask Photos.

Stories and Gadgets Discussed

Awesome Things of the Week

• Mama’s Night Off and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley Bar

  • Katie shares a browser-based game connected to Dungeon Crawler Carl.
  • Players fire magical projectiles at cherries to help create Mama’s Dirty Shirley.
  • The hosts discuss the game’s intentionally retro presentation and voice work by Jeff Hays.
  • Play the game and view the chocolate bar: https://maevechocolate.com/products/virgin-dirty-shirley/?game

• Garmin’s Screenless Fitness Tracker

  • Dave introduces Garmin’s wearable fitness tracker designed without a screen.
  • The device offers health and activity tracking without requiring users to wear a full smartwatch.
  • The hosts discuss its approximately ten-day battery life, Garmin Connect compatibility, optional Garmin Connect+ subscription, and Garmin’s reputation for durable hardware and direct fitness feedback.
  • Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2219713/garmin-finally-made-a-screenless-fitness-tracker/
  • Garmin product information: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1989182/#specs

• RetroArch on Apple TV

  • Sorg explains how RetroArch can turn an Apple TV into a multi-system retro-gaming device.
  • The software supports numerous systems, including Nintendo, Sega, arcade, PlayStation-era platforms, and older computer games.
  • The hosts discuss Bluetooth controllers, open-source games, shareware versions of Doom and Wolfenstein, storage limitations, organizing ROM libraries, and troubleshooting incompatible files.
  • Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433
  • Supported platforms: https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms

Awesome Person of the Week

• Ralph Teetor and the Invention of Cruise Control

  • Dave highlights engineer Ralph Teetor, who became blind as a child and later earned engineering degrees.
  • Frustrated by the repeated acceleration and deceleration of drivers, Teetor developed an early version of cruise control.
  • The hosts discuss the evolution from basic speed control to adaptive cruise control and its relationship to modern driver-assistance systems.
  • Teetor later served as president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and an SAE award for educators bears his name.
  • Automotive Hall of Fame: https://automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/ralph-r-teetor/

Chachi Says Video Game Minute

• Playing GTA III and Vice City Inside GTA: San Andreas

  • A PC mod allows players controlling CJ in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to walk up to an in-game television and launch GTA III or Vice City.
  • The hosts compare the concept to a video-game version of Inception.
  • https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/gta-3-and-vice-city-are-now-playable-inside-san-andreas-a-mod-lets-you-revisit-liberty-city-and-vice-city-without-leaving-san-andreas

• GameStop’s CEO Responds to the Decline of Physical Games

  • GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen argues that Sony reducing physical-disc support will not significantly hurt the company because new video-game sales represent a relatively small portion of its business.
  • The discussion includes GameStop’s continued interest in eBay and the changing economics of physical game retail.
  • https://www.ign.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-ryan-cohen-insists-sony-killing-physical-discs-doesnt-matter-at-all-because-video-game-sales-make-up-so-little-of-his-business

• PlayStation 5 Emulation Progress

  • Developers are making progress booting PlayStation 5 titles through multiple emulation projects.
  • Two-dimensional games are advancing more quickly, while fully rendering complex three-dimensional games remains a significant challenge.
  • The story sparks a broader conversation about game preservation, physical ownership, digital licensing, and consumer distrust.
  • https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/playstation/ps5-emulation-ramps-up-in-wake-of-sonys-end-to-physical-media-ps5-titles-now-booting-across-different-emulators-with-rapid-community-development-for-both-2d-and-3d-games

AI, Creative Work and Data Centers

• The hosts discuss the growing use of AI-assisted tools in image editing, video production, business documents, email, captions, background extension, and design mockups.

• Sorg explains how AI can help reformat posters for different social-media dimensions without replacing the original creative work.

• The discussion distinguishes generative AI from other machine-learning tools, such as automated transcription, rotoscoping, search, and image organization.

• Dave raises concerns about social-media challenges potentially being used to gather free voice-training data.

• The group discusses how Google, Adobe, Canva, and other platforms increasingly build AI functions directly into existing software.

• The hosts argue that professionals cannot simply ignore the technology, but they should evaluate where it is appropriate and disclose its use when needed.

• The discussion also addresses the electrical demands of new data centers, corporate incentives, local government decisions, environmental protections, grid capacity, and the disproportionate placement of industrial infrastructure near lower-income communities.

• Their central argument is that rapid technological growth must be accompanied by accountability, regulation, public representation, and responsible development.

NASA Psyche Mars Flyby

• NASA’s Psyche spacecraft used a Mars flyby as a gravitational assist while traveling deeper into the solar system.

• The mission captured detailed images and a time-lapse view of Mars during the maneuver.

• Dave highlights the value of scientific exploration driven by curiosity and the desire to understand more about the universe.

• https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/psyche/2026/07/17/nasas-psyche-mission-delivers-mars-flyby-data-time-lapse-video/

Pittsburgh Bridges on Film and Pastfinders

• Sorg highlights a collaboration between Pastfinders and the Pittsburgh Film Office focused on Pittsburgh bridges featured in movies and television.

• Examples discussed include locations connected to Mayor of Kingstown, Sweet Girl, Jack Reacher, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Dark Knight Rises, Dogma, The Silence of the Lambs, and Mindhunter.

• The hosts discuss how the Pastfinders app sends location-based notifications about historical sites, movie locations, landmarks, and unusual local stories.

• Pastfinders:
  https://www.pastfinders.app/

• Pittsburgh Film Office bridge-tour post:
  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1458603939638716&set=pcb.1458603999638710

The Light Flip Minimalist Phone

• The hosts examine a modern minimalist flip phone inspired by classic designs.

• It uses physical buttons, T9-style typing, a small screen, and a dedicated operating system rather than standard Android.

• The group discusses the appeal for people who want calls, messages, navigation, and limited apps without carrying a high-powered smartphone.

• They also consider whether younger users might adopt simpler phones to reduce social-media use and screen time.

• https://9to5google.com/2026/07/21/light-flip-minimalist-phone-announcement/

OpenMote: Repurposing the Nintendo Wii Remote

• Sorg introduces OpenMote, a drop-in development board that turns a Nintendo Wii Remote into a customizable controller.

• Demonstrations include pointing the remote at lamps to control them.

• The hosts brainstorm uses for smart-home controls, games, production equipment, lighting effects, custom 3D-printed controllers, and event technology.

• OpenMote:
  https://openmote.io/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

• Instagram demonstration:
  https://www.instagram.com/reels/Da8p5B7PNKP/

• OpenMote Instagram:
  https://www.instagram.com/openmote.io/

Google Photos Restores Classic Search

• Google Photos is adding an option that lets users choose between the newer Gemini-powered Ask Photos experience and a more traditional search interface.

• The hosts discuss why some users prefer entering straightforward terms rather than asking an AI-generated question.

• The change becomes an example of why providing a choice can reduce frustration when companies add AI to familiar products.

• https://9to5google.com/2026/07/20/google-photos-classic-search-toggle/

Also Discussed

• The return of CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, retro games, and physical media.

• The difference between owning digital media and licensing access to it.

• Consumer distrust of large technology companies.

• The space required to store large physical-media collections.

• Using Gemini to interpret business acronyms and generate a first draft of a statement of work.

• Severe-weather alerts and Katie briefly leaving the podcast during a tornado warning.

• Dave’s upcoming races, including the Two-Face Race and Trick or Trot 5K.

• The next AwesomeCast interview with Spotter Global and its technology for detecting drones and identifying operators.

Support the show at:
https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast

Discover more from the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network:
https://sorgatronmedia.com

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Sorg also begins downloading the iOS 27 public beta during the show, despite Katie’s warnings and a few concerns being saved for the Patreon aftertalk.

Stories and Gadgets Discussed

• A wireless microphone saves the podcast: When Dave’s regular microphone setup breaks, he switches to a compact dual wireless microphone system that connects through USB-C. The plug-and-play backup works with phones and laptops without a complicated setup.
• Omron 7 Series Bluetooth blood pressure monitor: Dave reviews a new connected blood pressure monitor after getting inconsistent readings from an older device. He highlights its larger arm cuff, support for two users, storage for multiple readings, three-reading averages, Apple Health integration and the ability to export results for a doctor. https://amzn.to/4yncwxY
• Pinwheel phones, watches and home phones for kids: Katie introduces Pinwheel’s managed technology ecosystem for children and teenagers. Parents and caregivers can control approved contacts, monitor texts, restrict social media, set bedtime schedules, review locations and gradually unlock features as a child gets older. The company also offers a standalone smartwatch and a Wi-Fi-powered corded home phone that brings back the satisfaction of dramatically hanging up. https://www.pinwheel.com
• Kennywood’s reopening and the mystery bag gamble: Sorg recounts a delayed visit to Kennywood after a water-main break interrupted opening day. His $5 mystery merchandise bag produced a Kennywood gaiter, a vintage postcard and a Jack Rabbit 100th-anniversary pin.
• Awesome Person of the Week — Rory Cooper: For Disability Pride Month, Dave profiles inventor, engineer and Paralympic medalist Rory Cooper. After becoming paralyzed while serving in the military, Cooper designed a lighter wheelchair and built a career improving mobility technology. His Pittsburgh work includes the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, a collaboration involving the University of Pittsburgh and the Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.invent.org/inductees/rory-cooper
• WhatCable diagnoses confusing USB-C connections: Sorg tests a free Mac utility that reveals what connected USB-C cables, chargers, docks and ports can actually do. The app displays negotiated speeds, charging details, supported USB standards and potential bottlenecks—useful for anyone wondering why a drive, monitor or video device is underperforming. https://www.whatcable.uk/
• LEGO’s Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4: Katie finds a new LEGO Speed Champions version of Brian O’Conner’s Toyota Supra from The Fast and the Furious. The set includes the bright orange movie car and a Brian O’Conner minifigure in his signature T-shirt and jeans. https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/the-fast-and-the-furious-toyota-supra-mk4-77260
• Speed and racing technology at the Carnegie Science Center: The hosts preview an upcoming speed-focused exhibit featuring an interactive track and specialized vehicles connected to the Petersen Automotive Museum. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1PZqTmHP4J/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Using AI to teach respectful sports camera work: The team examines guidelines designed to prevent women athletes from being sexualized through revealing angles and unnecessary slow-motion replays. Sorg discusses turning the concept into an AI-generated pro wrestling camera guide that can help videographers recognize respectful framing, understand consent and avoid exploitative shots. https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/1uwaxzx/some_of_the_new_guidelines_that_have_been/
• Instagram reverses its public-profile AI remix feature: Dave explains the backlash surrounding a Meta AI feature that could use images from public Instagram profiles in AI creations without first requiring users to opt in. The hosts discuss predictable abuse, privacy risks and why technology companies need more diverse voices involved before launching features like this. Meta subsequently disabled the feature. https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2026/07/13/meta-disables-ai-feature-instagram-backlash/90899917007/
• Jizai Arms bring Doctor Octopus technology closer to reality: A Japanese research project demonstrates wearable robotic arms that can be attached, removed and exchanged between users. The hosts debate whether the project represents meaningful cyborg research, performance art or technology created without enough consideration for how the public will interpret it. https://jizai-arms.com/ Additional commentary: https://www.instagram.com/refashionedhippie/
• Fortnite launches “Hot Bat Summer”: Batman, Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy receive beach-ready DC skins in Fortnite. The discussion naturally turns toward the absurdity of a game where swimsuit Batman can share a battlefield with Bugs Bunny, Homer Simpson and an armed dog in a bee costume. https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-hot-bat-summer-skins-dc-batman-harley-quinn-catwoman-poison-ivy/
• A shirtless protester attacks a Waymo vehicle: Video of a man climbing onto and damaging a Waymo in East Hollywood launches a wider conversation about autonomous vehicles, public surveillance, camera networks and the lack of privacy in modern public spaces. The hosts also discuss how easily hacked or deleted accounts can remove years of digital purchases. https://kotaku.com/shirtless-man-starts-butlerian-jihad-against-waymo-in-east-hollywood-2000715911

Support AwesomeCast and receive the Patreon aftertalk at:
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AwesomeCast is part of the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network:
https://www.sorgatronmedia.com

Production services provided by Sidekick Media Services:
https://www.sidekickmediaservices.com

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Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Katie brings a larger, easier-to-open pill organizer that solves real daily medication frustrations. Dave recommends Dell Refurbished for affordable business-class computers, and Sorg shares how Aeroplay brings NVIDIA GeForce Now streaming to Apple TV, with a few login caveats.

The crew also highlights Herman Hollerith for Disability Pride Month, reacts to Sony’s reported physical disc and digital library controversies, explores functional LEGO F1 cars, checks out Pittsburgh’s upcoming Science of Speed exhibit, watches a Waymo drive through fireworks, and discovers the surprisingly adult world of Fisher-Price Little People collector sets.

Get geeky. Get awesome.

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The hosts also dig into digital game ownership, GTA VI’s physical copy controversy, Nintendo-style game key cards, Sorg’s new AI video experiment “It Came From AI,” Meta and Snap’s latest smart glasses, Apple price increases tied to AI hardware demand, hand-crafted animation, Minion singing contests, and a wild pro wrestling Nintendo moment involving an NES cartridge.

Links discussed in this episode:

Rubin Observatory space camera:
https://www.space.com/astronomy/rubin-observatory-begins-filming-the-greatest-cosmic-movie-ever-beginning-a-new-era-of-astronomy
https://rubinobservatory.org/

Red Bull F1 filming drone:
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaFPQ8pOEXN/
https://www.redbull.com/us-en/worlds-fastest-filming-drone-build

Martine Rothblatt:
https://achievement.org/achiever/martine-rothblatt-ph-d/

Chachi Says Video Game Minute:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrg52egw1ro
https://www.polygon.com/1000-dollar-game-steam-10-minutes-congratulations-on-your-purchase/
https://www.cbr.com/universal-five-nights-at-freddys-3-gary-dauberman-screenwriter/

It Came From AI:
https://www.instagram.com/itcamefromai/reels/

Animation by dad for child:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3485866488230002

Meta AI glasses:
https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/meta-glasses/

Snap AR glasses:
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/snap-specs-launch-live-latest-updates

Apple price increases:
https://www.cultofmac.com/news/ouch-apples-mac-and-ipad-price-hikes-brutal

Minion singing contest:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8G67fFM/

Nintendo wrestling moment:
https://apple.news/A2iJBMG51SlKOCgHFRwk6xA

Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast and get exclusive aftertalk content for as little as $1 a month.

AwesomeCast is part of the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network. Find more at https://sorgatronmedia.com/

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Stories and gadgets discussed:

• Dave’s Awesome Thing of the Week: Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones
  Dave finally upgrades from cheap running headphones to the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, praising the open-ear / bone-conduction-style design for running safety, comfort, sweat management, USB-C charging, and situational awareness.
  Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2HKCMBP?maas=maas\_adg\_api\_582366218564361552\_static\_9\_129&ref\_=aa\_maas&tag=maas&aa\_campaignid=lv\_IGvrl5TTBxiweexlXK&aa\_adgroupid=lv\_fdLHIcjvJhpJZvQxFb&aa\_creativeid=lv\_MMLFRb8MTdZvGlnqFv&gad\_campaignid=23921418215&gbraid=0AAAABDw\_RJg26Vr6MY-sVAPsmwCxwK4mX&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ejRBhAdEiwADkqPn36qoEfzRElmQ3e9OXSxZdGKjw0DyckEdeqo82D8qqlMdTFDyLXuXhoCVn8QAvD\_BwE&th=1
• Valve opens the door to SteamOS installs on AMD PCs
  Sorg talks about Valve allowing SteamOS installs on normal PCs with AMD GPUs, giving PC gamers a way to build their own living-room Steam Machine instead of buying Valve’s new box. The conversation also touches on Steam Deck, Linux gaming, Proton, GPU costs, tariffs, and the economics of gaming hardware.
  Link: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/steam-machines/valve-greenlights-steamos-installs-on-normal-pcs-with-amd-gpus-so-you-can-go-make-your-own-steam-machine-if-you-dont-wanna-fork-over-usd1-049/?brid=YWdncwFV2uAIYy2jMECl21FxWfGS
• Bazzite as an open-source SteamOS-style alternative
  Sorg brings up Brother Sorg’s recommendation of Bazzite, a Linux-based gaming OS with Steam gaming mode and support for launchers like Xbox Game Pass, Battle.net, EA, Epic Games Store, GOG, Rockstar, and Ubisoft Connect.
  Link: https://bazzite.gg/
• Pride Month tech history: Jon “maddog” Hall
  Dave spotlights Jon “maddog” Hall, a major Linux and Unix figure, sharing stories about Hall’s long programming history, his connection to Linus Torvalds, and the importance of recognizing LGBTQ contributors in technology history.
  Article: https://www.lpi.org/blog/2025/09/10/a-lifetime-in-code-jon-maddog-hall-reflects-at-linuxfest-northwest/
  Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=758QuvXrttM
• Chachi Says Video Game Minute: GTA 6, Nex Playground, and Ubisoft news
  Chachi covers three gaming stories: GTA 6 cover art and pre-orders, the Nex Playground motion-based console for kids, and the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft.
  GTA 6: https://www.ign.com/articles/gta-6-cover-artwork-revealed-pre-orders-begin-june-25
  Nex Playground: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx50rrz7zro
  Claude Guillemot: https://apnews.com/article/france-assassins-creed-ubisoft-plane-crash-2df2ea469c3fca0a45c38ae8805a6033
• Baja SAE filmed on a “gas station camera”
  Sorg highlights a low-fi, retro-looking Baja SAE reel from Fairfield University, celebrating the charm of VHS-style and “bad camera” aesthetics in modern social media content.
  Link: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZ6BjfCtzo-/
• World Cup referee technology, digital twins, sensors, and 3D body scans
  Sorg discusses advanced soccer officiating tech, including camera sensors, player tracking, digital twins, and automated offside detection that can help reduce blown calls and give officials faster alerts.
  Link: https://apple.news/ABeSFqwyjRpehEy0x8Nc9nQ
• Ribbie turns MLB games into pixel-art broadcasts
  Dave shares Ribbie, a fan-built project that uses real-time Major League Baseball data to recreate live games as a retro 16-bit-style baseball broadcast. The conversation connects it to vibe coding, AI-assisted development, and new ways fans can build creative sports experiences.
  Link: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/23/ribbie-turns-real-time-baseball-stats-into-arcade-like-pixel-art-broadcasts/
• Commodore phone brings retro branding to a distraction-light flip phone
  Dave and Sorg look at the Commodore phone, a Sailfish OS-based flip phone designed as a step above a dumbphone, with calls, texting, maps, music apps, Uber/Lyft, classic Commodore games, and limited/no social media access.
  Link: https://order.commodore.net/callback-audio/?brid=YWdncwHwIXnsUg8Nsyh9q\_45Lj2C
• DoorDash accidentally tags T-Pain in soccer posts
  The episode wraps with a funny social media fail where DoorDash appears to tag T-Pain instead of soccer player Tim Payne during World Cup-related posts. Sorg and Dave discuss automation, agency workflows, social scheduling, and why T-Pain’s response made the whole situation better.
  Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ56tKCnedX/?brid=YWdncwG5YHkt5InxWn1IZ1Apa3Gc&img\_index=2

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This week, Sorg dives into the new Dungeon Crawler Carl graphic novel release and how the series has become a multi-format obsession across audiobooks, print books, Webtoon, and comics.

Dave shares Dazz Cam, a retro iPhone camera app that recreates vintage film, disposable camera, VHS, and analog looks for photos and video.

They also spotlight Ajay Bhatt for AAPI Heritage Month, recognizing his role leading Intel’s USB development team and how USB changed everyday computing.

Stories and Gadgets Discussed
Dungeon Crawler Carl graphic novel
Sorg talks about the physical release of the Dungeon Crawler Carl comic/graphic novel and how it compares to the Webtoon, audiobooks, and print editions.
Link: https://amzn.to/4dy0nfR
Dazz Cam retro iPhone camera app
Dave highlights Dazz Cam, an iPhone app that simulates vintage cameras, film looks, VHS-style video, borders, and analog-style photos.
Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dazz-cam-vintage-camera/id1422471180
Ajay Bhatt and the invention of USB
For AAPI Heritage Month, Dave discusses Ajay Bhatt, who helped lead the Intel team behind USB and made modern plug-and-play devices possible.
Link: https://news.sparkfun.com/6774
Apple accessibility features for iOS 27
Dave covers Apple’s upcoming accessibility features powered by Apple Intelligence, including visual intelligence-style phone assistance, live captions, better voice control, and accessibility hardware support.
Link: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/05/apple-unveils-new-accessibility-features-and-updates-with-apple-intelligence/
Google I/O 2026 and agentic AI
Sorg and Dave discuss Google I/O’s heavy focus on AI agents, Gemini, AI-powered search, Workspace tools, shopping/cart assistance, Android XR, and smart glasses.
Links:
https://9to5google.com/2026/05/19/google-io-2026-news/
https://www.theverge.com/tech/933415/google-io-2026-biggest-announcements-ai-gemini
Transformers: The Movie Apology Tour
Sorg gets nostalgic about the 1986 Transformers movie, the Optimus Prime trauma, the 40th anniversary re-release, soundtrack editions, vinyl, and pink cassette release.
Links:
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/product/transformers-movie-soundtrack-reformatted-edition-bbts-exclusive-hot-rod-red-vinyl-lp-189634
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1506127744310466&set=pcb.1506127774310463
Fortnite returns to iOS
Dave notes that Fortnite is back on the iOS App Store around much of the world after years of legal battles.
Link: https://www.epicgames.com/site/news/fortnite-is-back-on-the-app-store-around-the-world-as-the-final-battle-approaches
Chachi Says Video Game Minute
Chachi covers GameStop’s failed eBay offer, Amazon canceling its Lord of the Rings MMO, and Dodi Repacks stepping back from piracy.

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The crew breaks down WWE Backlash, Asuka’s possible farewell, Danhausen and Minihausen’s breakout WWE moment, Lil Yachty’s surprisingly great wrestling energy, the John Cena Classic announcement, WWE/TKO roster cuts, creator reaction-stream takedowns, and AEW’s golf course wrestling experiment with Darby Allin and PAC.

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Plus: Pittsburgh Marathon stories, Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook talk, Chachi’s Video Game Minute, and why Fortnite might secretly be every game now.

Support AwesomeCast at patreon.com/awesomecast.

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Sorg and Podnar open with one of the week’s best feel-good tech stories: Artemis 2 made it home successfully, and Dave shares the unexpectedly charming story of the mission mascot RISE. In a week that needed some good news, the conversation lands on something larger than space hardware alone. This was about optimism, engineering, and a rare moment of collective excitement. 

Then the show pivots back to Earth with the kind of story that feels custom-made for AwesomeCast: yes, someone got early Mac OS X running on a Nintendo Wii. It is not practical. It is not necessary. It is absolutely wonderful. That same spirit carries into Sorg’s hands-on experiment with Mythic, a tool aimed at helping M-series Mac users access Windows games through the Epic ecosystem. The conversation explores how much better Apple Silicon has become for compatibility, even if some rough edges still show up in real-world testing. 

A big chunk of the episode also digs into Amazon Luna’s latest changes. Sorg reacts to the platform ending game purchases and outside store access, and the discussion quickly becomes about more than Luna itself. It becomes a conversation about trust in digital platforms, cloud gaming ownership, and what happens when convenience gets taken away after users have already bought in. It is one of the sharpest segments in the episode because it blends personal use with a bigger industry trend. 

There is also a lighter side this week. Dave shares The Weather Channel’s retro weather experience, which sends both hosts into a funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about the old cable era, nostalgic interfaces, and how channels drift from their original purpose. On the more practical side, they also touch on Overcast’s new transcript support and Waymo’s plan to help cities identify potholes using vehicle data. That latter topic turns into a very Pittsburgh-flavored discussion about 311 systems, local government tech, and whether cities are really taking advantage of the tools they have.

Finally, Dave closes with his Arab American History Month spotlight on Tony Fadell, best known for his work on the iPod and Nest. It is a fitting end to an episode that is really about the many layers of tech: breakthrough engineering, strange experimentation, product design, infrastructure, nostalgia, and how all of it shapes everyday life.  Links from this episode:

Artemis / RISE: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/how-artemis-2-commander-reid-wiseman-saved-the-missions-moon-mascot-its-hard-not-to-love-this-little-guy-i-cant-let-rise-out-of-my-sight

macOS on Wii: https://apple.news/AJdU3eghQT2-jfhrGvzI2_g

Mythic: https://getmythic.app/

Amazon Luna: https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-luna-will-no-longer-allow-owners-to-buy-games-access-game-stores-or-third-party-subscriptions-starting-today?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Amazon Luna alt link: https://apple.news/A2cb25SwgQX-AuvSPHdRsHw

Waymo potholes: https://apple.news/AnxW6o9QWQJOcCGLqCsW6XQ

Overcast transcripts: https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/overcast-launches-podcast-transcripts-in-new-app-update-for-iphone/

Retro Weather Channel: https://weather.com/retro/

Tony Fadell: https://design.mit.edu/community/people/tony-fadell

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Sorg, Katie, and Dave Podnar kick things off with their Awesome Things of the Week, and the lineup is wonderfully varied. Dave looks ahead to Artemis II, the upcoming crewed moon mission that will send astronauts beyond low Earth orbit for the first time in decades. The conversation covers how the mission works, why the far side of the moon still creates communication challenges, and why “just rebuilding Apollo” is not nearly as simple as some people assume.

Katie’s pick is much closer to home, at least for Pittsburghers: Heinz Verified. The new site helps users find restaurants that serve Heinz ketchup, making it both practical and hilarious for anyone who has ever been personally offended by mystery catsup in a diner bottle. The crew immediately starts checking cities they’ll be traveling to and appreciates that users can nominate restaurants for inclusion.

Sorg’s pick highlights Chachi’s 3D-printing Etsy shop, Plastic Fun Time. From the now-famous bag of Fs to the Rock Lobster and other fun prints, it’s a cool look at somebody taking a maker hobby and turning it into a real side business. It also turns into a broader appreciation for creative small-scale production and clever product design.

The middle of the episode gets more serious with a discussion around a Stanford study on AI chatbot advice. Katie explains how researchers tested large language models against stories from the “Am I the Asshole?” subreddit and found that chatbots often validated problematic behavior more than humans did. That opens the door to a bigger conversation about AI agreeability, emotional dependency, digital literacy, and what it means when people begin treating chatbots like close confidants instead of tools.

The AI thread continues with What’s Up With That, a browser extension built to help readers analyze articles, pull out new signals, simplify jargon, and better connect ideas across sources. For anyone doing research-heavy work, the crew sees real promise in the concept.

On the creative side, Dave shares Adobe Illustrator’s Project Turntable, which can rotate 2D vector art in 3D space. That sparks a discussion about animation workflows, creative accessibility, and the kinds of production bottlenecks tools like this might reduce.

The episode also finds time for ChannelSurfer.tv, a retro-TV style interface for YouTube, plus a look at Apple’s TikTok presence, where the company seems to be leaning into a Finder-inspired mascot to help explain macOS features in a more playful way.

Dave also wraps up Women’s History Month by spotlighting several women who shaped space science, leading to a thoughtful discussion about visibility, representation, and why stories like these matter.

And then, in true AwesomeCast fashion, the crew ends up hyped about LEGO Zelda sets, including Ocarina of Time: The Final Battle and the Great Deku Tree, prompting nostalgia, sticker shock, and renewed debate over whether Sorg finally needs to properly play Ocarina of Time.

If you like your tech podcasts with equal parts curiosity, commentary, and chaos, this is a great episode.

Links from this episode
Chachi’s Etsy shop / Plastic Fun Time
https://www.etsy.com/shop/plasticfuntime/?etsrc=sdt
Heinz Verified
https://www.heinz.com/heinzverified
Artemis II launch article
https://www.wired.com/story/artemis-ii-countdown-how-and-when-to-watch-the-launch-of-the-manned-mission-to-the-moon/
Women who shaped our understanding of space
https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/five-women-who-shaped-our-understanding-space
Channel Surfer
https://channelsurfer.tv/?ch=14
What’s Up With That
https://whatsupwiththat.app/practice/
Adobe Illustrator Project Turntable article
https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/30/adobe-illustrator-now-lets-you-rotate-2d-vectors-in-3d-space/
Apple on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@apple?_r=1&_t=ZP-959iBFWcaSN
LEGO Ocarina of Time: The Final Battle
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/ocarina-of-time-the-final-battle-77093?cmp=PSO-FBIG-AMS-EN-RE-PO-LPV-LR_EXCLUSIVE_PRODUCT_LAUNCH-SHOP-HA-LkAd-PRS-Always_On-GAMINGZ_P&utm_campaign=120242713322920054&utm_content=120245958217060054&utm_id=120242713322920054&utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_term=120242713322930054
LEGO Great Deku Tree 2-in-1
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/great-deku-tree-2-in-1-77092

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

One issue with supersonic air travel is the sonic boom. This X plane is trying to minimize that We talked with one of the guys working on it at Aero Design! https://www.tiktok.com/@sae_universityprograms/video/7226713920218746154 NASA's sci-fi-looking X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet roll out of the hangar https://www.space.com/nasa-x-59-quiet-supersonic-jet-hangar-video

iOS 17 Updates to CarPlay sharing and Visual Voicemail Previewhttps://9to5mac.com/2023/06/30/ios-17-carplay-apple-music-shareplay/#:~:text=The%20process%20of%20initiating%20a,that%20other%20people%20can%20scan

https://9to5mac.com/2023/07/15/iphone-live-voicemail-how-to-use-turn-off-on/

Open sourcing AudioCraft: Generative AI for audio made simple and available to allhttps://ai.meta.com/blog/audiocraft-musicgen-audiogen-encodec-generative-ai-audio/

Sorg has access to Beeper: an all in one messaging service (like Trillian! https://www.beeper.com/

Sorg is on Blue Sky and it feels like twitter! When no one was on yet . https://bsky.app/profile/sorgatron.bsky.social

GM’s Ultium-based EVs will be able to power your home by 2026 https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/08/gms-ultium-evs-v2h-bidirectional-charging/

Premiere Pro has a transcript optionhttps://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/speech-to-text.html

What is keeping some industries like banking and health to dig into AI?

Sorg just got an offer for the Whistle pet tracker. https://www.whistle.com/

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We're winding down to our year-end episode, but before we get to the year in review, Sorg and Chilla are sharing some of the week's tech news, including:

• Chilla is sharing his pleas for NASA to save Tony Stark as his Awesome Thing of the Week.
• Sorg's Awesome Thing of the Week is how Doug Engelbart predicted the future - 50 years ago.
• The Huawei finance chief was arrested in Canada.
• Our friend Brian likes experimenting with tech in his bathroom, and he found a solution for his Echo Dot.
• It seems like it's been forever, but Apple Watch has an ECG app for heart rhythm notifications.
• The recent Giphy update integrates TrueDepth camera and a universal keyboard.
• There's a live action MarioKart race in Florida?!?!
• There's a hipster nativity, and Sorg approves.
• How about a VR experience of Van Gogh's Starry Night?
• Marvel Alliance has a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
• Street Fighter will display in-game advertising.
• Sorg saw some advertising that worked to get his attention for the RETRO Color 8-bit iPhone case.
• The Fire/Echo device is having a fire sale. *badum tss*
• John Romero gifts Doom 18 new levels for its 25th birthday.

After the show remember to:

Eat at Slice on Broadway (@Pgh_Slice) if you are in the Pittsburgh area! It is Awesome! (sliceonbroadway.com)

Check out our sponsors as a part of YaJagoff’s HOLLA-day Gift Guide:

• Pittsburgh Things Pittsburgh themed apparel n’at.
• Core Life Eatery at the Block at Northway on McKnight Rd
• Sprezzatura creates and serves heritage-inspired cooking for events and the public.

Want to be part of our studio audience? Hit us up at awesomecast@sorgatronmedia.com and we’ll save you a seat!

Join our AwesomeCast Facebook Group to see what we’re sharing and to join the discussion!

Follow these awesome people on Twitter: John Chichilla (@chilla) and Sorg (@Sorgatron)

Have you seen our AwesomeTips videos?

You can support the show at Patreon.com/awesomecast!

Remember to check out our friends at the River’s Edge (@RiversEdgePGH) and The 405 Media (@The405Radio) who replay the show on their stream throughout the week!

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

Chilla is on vacation this week, so we replaced him with our OTHER tech guru from Big Bank International! Krause, Katie, and Sorg are talking this week in tech, including:

Krause is sharing Android Pie as his Awesome Thing of the Week.
Pie is working well to help balance work and home life.
Katie is sharing a VR interview with the Ninja Turtles as her Awesome Thing of the Week.
Sorg is getting REALLY excited about the interactive games at the movie theater.
Speaking of movies…Sorg has been having some woes over MoviePass. So, he upgraded to the AMC A-List. AND, IT WORKS!
Quake Champions is free to play!
Mario Kart is coming to your mobile device in 2019.
Sorg loves all of the PokemonGO gifts he’s getting – so much that he just upgraded his bag.
Nintendo Switch’s online service is set to launch in September – and the price can’t be beat.
Nintendo Switch is also getting a dedicated battery pack designed by Anker – and they’re usable for your phone, too.
The Parker Solar Probe is the fastest human-made object, and we’re sending it to the sun!
Fortnite is now available on non-Samsung Android devices.
Pro Tip: Be careful about installing third party apps to your Android devices.
Katie got to hang out with Facebook last week.
Katie is really excited about Instagram tips and tricks she learned.
Krause is dropping some Samsung DeX knowledge on us.

After the show remember to:

Eat at Slice on Broadway (@Pgh_Slice) if you are in the Pittsburgh area! It is Awesome! (sliceonbroadway.com)

Want to be part of our studio audience? Hit us up at awesomecast@sorgatronmedia.com and we’ll save you a seat!

Join our AwesomeCast Facebook Group to see what we’re sharing and to join the discussion!

Follow these awesome people on Twitter: Katie (@Kdudders), Chilla (@chilla) and Sorg (@Sorgatron)

Have you seen our AwesomeTips videos?

You can support the show at Patreon.com/awesomecast!

Remember to check out our friends at the River’s Edge (@RiversEdgePGH) and The 405 Media (@The405Radio) who replay the show on their stream throughout the week!

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