AwesomeCast 701: A Broken Doohickey

About this Episode

This week’s episode brought to you by Slice on Broadway, and Sidekick Media Services and listeners like you at www.patreon.com/awesomecastIn this episode of AwesomeCast, your geeky trio—Michael Sorg, John Chichilla, and Dave Podnar—dive into some of the coolest tech stories and gadgets of the week, exploring everything from quirky doohickeys to the latest in AI-powered innovations. Here’s a breakdown of what we covered:

• Camera Gadget with AI Tracking: Sorg shows off a unique camera gadget that tracks your face and objects, though not without some hilarious malfunctions. Tune in to hear about its potential use cases and the odd quirks that might make you think twice before using it at a live event!

• Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Review: Dave revisits his recent lawn mower purchase, giving an in-depth review after multiple uses. If you’re curious about electric mowers, battery life, and handling, you’ll want to check out his thoughts on this eco-friendly yard tool.

• Elgato’s New Neo Line: Chilla talks about the latest affordable and eco-friendly streaming hardware from Elgato, including the Game Capture Neo, a lower-cost capture solution perfect for those starting their streaming journey. Learn why this might be the best starting point for gamers and streamers alike. https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/game-capture-neo

• Canada’s AI Drones to Save Endangered Whales: In a refreshing news story, we discuss how Transport Canada is using drones and AI to monitor and protect endangered right whales. It’s a fantastic use of technology that shows a positive side to AI’s growing influence.

• AI-Generated Doom Game: AI and neural networks strike again, this time recreating the classic Doom game in real-time. Learn how researchers are training AI to play and recreate the game from scratch, a fascinating experiment for both AI enthusiasts and retro gamers.

• The Rise of AI Features in Canva and the Price Hike: Canva users beware! With new AI tools integrated into Canva Teams, prices are seeing a massive increase. We explore the implications of this shift and how businesses may need to adjust to this new pricing model.

• FreeTube: Ad-Free YouTube Alternative: Looking for a way to avoid YouTube ads? We share details about FreeTube, an open-source app that lets you watch YouTube videos without ads or data tracking. Is this the new frontier for private video viewing?

• Letterboxd for Movie Buffs: Finally, we introduce Letterboxd, a community platform perfect for tracking movies you’ve watched and want to see. Whether you’re a casual viewer or hardcore film buff, this tool may be your next favorite movie app.

Check out the links to the cool gadgets and apps we discussed below!

Show Links:

• Check out the camera gadget on Amazon for $22 https://amzn.to/4g3FZUq

• Learn more about Elgato’s Neo Line at https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/game-capture-neo

• Battery powered lawnmower https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-CRAFTSMAN-2x20V-MOWER-with-BLOWER-PACKIN/5005979859    • Read up on Canada’s efforts to save endangered whales using AI https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/transport-canada-whale-seeker-partner-test-drones-ai-ohmuf/

• Explore AI-powered Doom on the official GitHub https://gamengen.github.io/ 

• Learn about Canva’s pricing changes on https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/3/24234698/canva-price-increase-300-percent-ai-features

• Download FreeTube at freetubeapp.io 

• Join the movie-loving community on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com 

Tune in to stay updated on the latest in tech, gadgets, and geek culture, all while supporting your favorite podcast network!

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