Awesomecast: Tech And Gadget Talk

Fortnite’s wildest crossover ever, Samsung’s tri-fold phone, and Red Dead Redemption on Netflix — all in one snowy night. This week on AwesomeCast 760, Michael Sorg (@Sorgatron), Katie “Dudders” Dudas, and Dave Podnar brave the Pittsburgh snow (plus the frozen tundra of Verona) to geek out over: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Tri-Fold — a three-screen foldable that opens into a 10" tablet and costs about as much as a decent gaming PC. Is this the future of phones or just flex tech? Cloud gaming from the couch — Sorg uses OneCast, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming to turn an Apple TV and Chromecast into a console-free living room, streaming everything from Mortal Kombat 1 to Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Netflix Games leveling up — from Red Dead Redemption (2010) going mobile-only on Netflix to a WWE 2K “Netflix Edition” and Stranger Things puzzle games trying to lure the 99% of subscribers who never touch the games tab. Marvel arcade goodness & Fortnite insanity — we punch through Marvel’s Cosmic Invasion on Game Pass and rec

Free TV, robot snowmen, space heaters, and Voltron nostalgia – we’re packing a lot into AwesomeCast 759. This week, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar dive into: Sorg’s first week living with a Telly free TV and its always-on ad bar Dave’s emergency Lasko Whirlwind space heater run when his furnace dies Katie’s Amazon storage bins that completely changed how she organizes clothes A heartfelt ChachiSays Video Game Minute tribute to game dev legend Rebecca Heineman Katie’s beloved Cat Wars calendar and a detour into She-Ra villain Catra toy nostalgia Quick hits on Disney’s robotic Olaf, a 40th anniversary Voltron collector set, and the future of park animatronics & high-end geek collectibles

This week on AwesomeCast 758, Sorg, Katie, and Podnar unwrap a pile of geeky goodness! Chachi surprises the crew with custom 3D-printed AT-@-AT Star Wars sculptures, Dave reviews the Bissell CrossWave hard-floor cleaner, and we break down the newest gaming news including the Steam Machine reboot, a DDR world record, and Netflix’s surprisingly strong push into console-quality games like WWE 2K25. We also explore Disney’s Star Wars Life Day Gift Guide, the wild GameStop Trade Anything Day, a Minecraft rebuild of Pittsburgh’s legendary Century III Mall, and Google’s rollout of Gemini 3. Plus: which AI model would you trust on your iPhone? Join us for gadgets, games, tech talk, and holiday chaos—Pittsburgh-style.

This week, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into: • Apple’s iPhone “Pocket” sling (Issey Miyake) — a 3D-knit, cross-body way to carry your iPhone that channels the designer behind Steve Jobs’ turtlenecks. Is this fashion-meets-tech or iPod Socks 2.0?   • Fortnite’s Springfield takeover — an entire Simpsons-styled map, Battle Pass skins, and Sidekicks (pet-like companions). We compare Crew pricing to Game Pass and why this might be the cheapest way to stay current.   • Robotics & AI Discovery Day — we produced a rooftop live demo with SKA Robotics showing AI-assisted corrosion detection on local bridges. Here’s what worked, what wind ruined, and why this matters for infrastructure. Watch the talks via PRN.   • iPad Pro at 10 — the unrealized potential vs. real-world utility (monitors, comics, control apps) from a decade-old device that still pulls its weight.   • Pittsburgh International’s new terminal — what’s changing for travelers, especially those checking oversized gea

Support AwesomeCast: Tech and Gadget Talk

Tech, travel, and a touch of Pittsburgh flair! Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar take you inside the brand-new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal, share how to build your own 24/7 streaming channel with OBS + VLC, and break down the biggest Adobe MAX 2025 AI announcements. We talk whether 8K TVs even matter, the surprisingly useful iOS Vehicle Motion Cues, and what it’s really like using the new ChatGPT Atlas browser. Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, EB Games’ comeback, and a Taco Bell 50K run you have to hear to believe.

The AwesomeCast crew — Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar — dive into another week of geeky goodness, from AI browsers and robo-pets to nostalgic tech and bizarre cable “hacks.” This Week’s Awesome Topics •

This week on AwesomeCast, we dive into creepy games and cutting-edge tech!

Surfboards, Baja Cars & Broken GoPros — This Week on AwesomeCast! Katie returns with stories from the waves as she shares her inspiring First Descents surf adventure in Santa Cruz, designed for cancer survivors. Meanwhile, the team gives a full behind-the-scenes breakdown of their latest wild production at Baja SAE Carolina — from broadcasting out of a U-Haul van to dealing with dusty terrain, wireless camera chaos, and even a GoPro that didn’t survive. Plus: • Microsoft raises Game Pass prices again • Minecraft gets educational about climate change • AI-generated chaos with OpenAI’s Sora • Why you must log out of your Airbnb streaming accounts… Hosted by Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, Missy Sorg & Dave Podnar

This week on AwesomeCast, Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar are joined by intern Mac to dive into the latest in Apple tech, production travel hacks, and wearable innovation. Sorg shares stories from producing Defy Wrestling in Seattle, including packing $30K worth of video gear and dealing with TSA “love letters.” Dave brings real-world testing of the iPhone 17 Pro Max camera with stunning 8x zoom shots. Plus: • Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses demo disaster (and why it failed) • Live transcription, translation & privacy risks with smart eyewear • watchOS & iOS 17 tips: CarPlay widgets, Fitness+, Notes on Apple Watch • Chachi’s Video Game Minute on how shows like Fallout boost game sales • Reflex 240mm lens for mobile pros • Intern Mac drops knowledge on Apple vs Meta AI features

This week on AwesomeCast, we dive into tech, history, and a little pumpkin spice! We’re joined by Virginia Montanez — acclaimed writer, author, and creator of the PastFinders app, which turns everyday walks into immersive historical tours. We also talk: • Apple Watch’s new “Workout Buddy” voice coaching (is it helpful or just annoying?) • iJustine’s epic iPhone 1 vs iPhone 15 photo test • Using AI to turn pet pics into paintings via iOS 17’s Image Playground • Goldfish + Dunkin = Pumpkin Spice Grahams?! Taste-tested on the show!

Apple’s September event brought us the iPhone 17 family, AirPods Pro 3, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, packed with features for creators and adventurers alike. Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down what’s exciting (and what’s eyebrow-raising) in this week’s AwesomeCast. We also dive into Sesame Street moving its library to YouTube and this year’s holiday LEGO highlights, including the Gingerbread AT-AT and a $1,000 UCS Death Star.

This week on AwesomeCast 748, hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar break down the latest in tech, gadgets, and geek news: • AI tools for creators: why Opus Pro beats CapCut for quick, high-quality clips • Instagram’s new Picture-in-Picture mode for Reels • Testing Amazon Lens Live for smarter shopping • Retro gaming hype with the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection and a new He-Man beat-’em-up • Apple event preview: iPhone 17 Air, AirPods 3 with live translation, and more • Plus: Grogu’s big-screen debut, Baja SAE on PBS, and our Awesome Things of the Week

AwesomeCast 747 – Floating Bars, Hello Kitty Games, and AI Colleagues Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are joined by Kit Mueller of SkillBuilder.io to explore the latest tech, gaming, and Pittsburgh innovations. • Pittsburgh’s new Riverlife “Shore Thing” floating pop-up on the Allegheny, run by Brew Gentlemen. More info • Nintendo Switch’s Hello Kitty and Friends: Freeze Tag Party launching Nov 2025. Game details • AppleCare One: bundling device protection under one plan. Apple announcement • Google Gemini’s new Flash Image editor for smarter, consistent AI photos. Ars Technica coverage • Chachi’s Video Game Minute: Fallout Season 2 trailer + LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight reveal. • Viral cat-subway build, Apple Watch + AI coaching rumors, and more. • Kit Mueller’s spotlight: how SkillBuilder.io is powering “AI colleagues” across Pittsburgh organizations.

Cohosts Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar welcome Josh Dorfman, Co-founder, CEO, and host of SuperCool, to talk about the adoption era of climate tech—where real solutions are cutting emissions and saving money today. Josh shares insights from BrainBox AI’s energy-saving building systems, Google’s Project Sunroof, and even a Pennsylvania school district saving big with solar and electric school buses. We also dive into Josh’s own startup, Planted Materials, building carbon-negative housing panels. In the second half, we geek out over: • McDonald’s TMNT × Hello Kitty Happy Meal toys • A Sam’s Club pumpkin diorama that’s perfect for spooky season • YouTube’s new Gemini “Ask About This Video” AI button (screenshot demo) • And the latest in gaming with Chachi’s Video Game Minute, including Fast & Furious Arcade and Red Dead Redemption 2 sales milestones. We wrap with some Patreon-exclusive extras: the ElliQ companion robot, Discord’s new “Play Instantly” feature, and a behind-the-scenes look at “poddy

Hosts Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back with another fun-filled episode of AwesomeCast, bringing their favorite geeky picks and tech stories of the week from Pittsburgh and beyond.

In this week’s tech and pop culture roundup, the crew swaps travel tales, dives into toy news, and tries out new gadgets. Hear about a massive indoor amusement park experience, a quirky calendar mash-up, a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy line combining pop culture icons, a nostalgic Mac-style USB-C hub, live object recognition from a mobile AI assistant, a hands-on paper airplane STEM kit, and a retro-style college football mobile game. ⸻ Stories & Gadgets Covered Pop Culture & Experiences • Indoor amusement park adventure – Detailed trip report from a multi-level shopping and entertainment complex featuring a Nickelodeon-themed park, roller coasters, character meet-and-greets, a DreamWorks water park, an indoor ski slope, a two-story toy store, mini-golf, and a giant Ferris wheel with skyline views. • Cat Wars calendar – A humorous monthly mash-up of cats and sci-fi themes, sparking debates over AI vs. Photoshop image origins. • McDonald’s Happy Meal crossover toys – Upcoming U.S. launch of a 12-figure

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.

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. Whether you’re curious about holograms, anime conventions, or how your iPhone can become a pro-level camera, this geeky roundtable has you covered!

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.