AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Sorgatron Media

Everything awesome in the world of technology, social media, and entertainment! Join us as we discuss the latest gadgets, web sites, and talk with people doing awesome things in tech! www.AwesomeCast.net

  1. 1d ago

    AwesomeCast 781

    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.

    54 min
  2. Google I/O AI Agents, iOS 27 Accessibility, Fortnite Returns & Retro Camera Apps | AwesomeCast 780

    May 20

    Google I/O AI Agents, iOS 27 Accessibility, Fortnite Returns & Retro Camera Apps | AwesomeCast 780

    Sorg and Dave Podnar are back for AwesomeCast 780 with a packed tech talk covering retro cameras, AI announcements, accessibility breakthroughs, gaming news, and a little 1986 Transformers nostalgia. 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.

    1h 2m
  3. Keeping Podcasting Weird: On the Road | AwesomeCast 779

    May 13

    Keeping Podcasting Weird: On the Road | AwesomeCast 779

    Sorg is on the road in Michigan for Wrestling Mayhem Show 1004, joined by Rizz, Mad Mike, and Producer Missy for a chaotic week in pro wrestling. 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.

    54 min
  4. Fortnite Star Wars, Apple Silicon App Tricks, Robot Pets & the Future of GameStop | AwesomeCast 778

    May 6

    Fortnite Star Wars, Apple Silicon App Tricks, Robot Pets & the Future of GameStop | AwesomeCast 778

    Sorg, Katie, and Podnar are back for AwesomeCast 778 with Apple Silicon Mac tips, Katie’s hands-on thoughts on the MacBook Neo, Fortnite’s Star Wars takeover, robot companions from the creator of Roomba, AI in wrestling promos, GameStop’s rumored eBay bid, and a spotlight on skyscraper engineering pioneer Fazlur Khan for AAPI Month. 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.

    1h 3m
  5. NFL Draft Tech, Xbox Game Pass Changes & AI Cameras Watching Lines?! | AwesomeCast 777

    Apr 28

    NFL Draft Tech, Xbox Game Pass Changes & AI Cameras Watching Lines?! | AwesomeCast 777

    AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

    1h 1m
  6. Tim Cook Steps Down, Game Pass Gets Weird & Can PurePlank Fix the Dad Bod? | AwesomeCast 776

    Apr 22

    Tim Cook Steps Down, Game Pass Gets Weird & Can PurePlank Fix the Dad Bod? | AwesomeCast 776

    On this episode of AwesomeCast, Sorg and Dave Podnar cover practical tech from the gym floor to the bedroom to the browser tab. Sorg reviews the PurePlank workout board after his first session and talks about whether a gadget like this can realistically fit into a busy travel-heavy schedule. Dave follows up on his experience with the ResMed AirSense 11 CPAP, sharing how the app, sleep data, and improved rest are already making a difference. The conversation also spotlights Taher Elgamal, often called the father of SSL, as part of their Arab American History Month recognition. From there, they pivot into fast-moving tech news and commentary, including Microsoft’s changing Game Pass Ultimate value proposition, Sorg’s shift from Facebook and other feeds over to Reddit, early thoughts on DaVinci Resolve’s still-image color tools, and big Apple leadership news as Tim Cook steps aside as CEO and John Ternus moves into the top role. They also touch on the strange realities of online comments, ad-heavy platforms, software lock-in, and what makes some tools hard to leave even when alternatives are everywhere. Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, a quick mention of the NFL Draft app experience in Pittsburgh, and a tease for extra Patreon conversation. News stories and gadgets discussed PurePlank workout board Sorg gives first impressions of the plank-focused fitness device, including build quality, comfort, portability, app support, and whether it feels more approachable than traditional planking. ResMed AirSense 11 CPAP Dave shares an early follow-up after getting his machine, including setup, comfort, mask style, sleep scoring, and the real-world impact it is already having on his rest and recovery. Taher Elgamal / father of SSL A spotlight on one of the foundational figures behind secure internet communication and web security, tied to Arab American History Month. Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate changes The hosts react to pricing/value changes and the decision to delay launch access for future Call of Duty titles, asking whether the new structure is actually a better deal for non-Call of Duty players. Reddit replacing other social feeds Sorg talks about moving away from Facebook, political content, and repetitive tech feeds in favor of a more curated Reddit experience, including the appeal of paying to remove ads. DaVinci Resolve still-image color tools Dave and Sorg discuss Blackmagic’s push into photo workflows, especially for creators who already live in video editing and want consistent color tools across media. Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO The show breaks down what Cook’s transition means, why his supply-chain and operations legacy matters, and what it could mean that Apple’s next leader comes from the hardware side. Chachi Says Video Game Minute Quick hits include the Zelda movie moving to post-production, Artemis II driving interest in Kerbal Space Program, and the 91-year-old woman found safe and happily gaming during a welfare check. NFL Draft app reminder Dave flags a practical tip for anyone attending the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh: make sure the official app is installed before you arrive. Show-notes links paired to topics mentioned on-air PurePlank — https://gopureplank.com/ ResMed AirSense 11 — https://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/cpap/machines/airsense-11/ Taher Elgamal — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taher_Elgamal Tim Cook stepping down / Apple leadership story — https://www.macworld.com/article/3119381/tim-cook-stepping-down-as-apple-ceo-in-shock-announcement.html DaVinci Resolve photo/still image discussion source — https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=25876562148688561&set=a.334146796690114

    1h 3m
  7. Artemis 2 Returns, Amazon Luna Shuts Doors, and Someone Put macOS on a Wii?! | AwesomeCast 775

    Apr 15

    Artemis 2 Returns, Amazon Luna Shuts Doors, and Someone Put macOS on a Wii?! | AwesomeCast 775

    Sometimes an episode of AwesomeCast really shows the full range of what makes the show fun. Episode 775 goes from the emotional high of a successful Artemis 2 splashdown all the way to the absurd joy of seeing someone force macOS onto an original Nintendo Wii. 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 Subscribe for more tech talk from Pittsburgh and support the show at Patreon.

    1h 2m
  8. Artemis II Moon Mission, AI Chatbot Risks, Apple TikTok & LEGO Zelda | AwesomeCast 774

    Apr 1

    Artemis II Moon Mission, AI Chatbot Risks, Apple TikTok & LEGO Zelda | AwesomeCast 774

    This week’s AwesomeCast brought together one of those classic mixes that makes the show so much fun: real tech questions, weird internet discoveries, nostalgic gaming talk, and a strong dose of Pittsburgh personality. 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 A*****e?” 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

    1h 1m
See All (897)

Trailer

4.5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Everything awesome in the world of technology, social media, and entertainment! Join us as we discuss the latest gadgets, web sites, and talk with people doing awesome things in tech! www.AwesomeCast.net

Information

  • Creator
    Sorgatron Media
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2026
  • Episodes
    897
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
  • Show Website
    AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk