This week, the crew talks about Niagara Falls adventures, World Cup watch parties, international visitors discovering American mega-stores, the Strong Museum of Play, Nerdvana, Google Gemini Pro, electric vehicle camouflage, and video game news from Chachi Says.

Stories and gadgets discussed:

• World Cup travelers discovering America
  • Dave shares TikTok reactions from international soccer fans experiencing Walmart, Waffle House, Costco, ranch dressing, school buses, Bucky’s, and oversized American everything.
  • Link: https://www.tiktok.com/@josievlogsthings/video/7651983684060613890?lang=en
• Niagara Falls World Cup watch party
  • Sorg and Katie stumble into a World Cup viewing party at Niagara Falls with giant screens, fans, fireworks, and the falls lit up at night.
• The 26th-floor IHOP at Niagara Falls
  • Katie highlights the surreal breakfast experience of eating IHOP with a panoramic view of Niagara Falls, before the space transforms into a steakhouse at night.
• This Week in Pride History: Sophie Wilson
  • Dave spotlights Sophie Wilson, a computing pioneer connected to the development of ARM processor architecture, which powers phones, Macs, and many modern devices.
  • Link: https://www.marks-clerk.com/insights/latest-insights/102k16g-celebrating-lgbt-history-month-sophie-wilson-computing-pioneer-inventor-and-advocate-for-inclusion/
• Chachi Says Video Game Minute
  • Crazy Taxi, Ocarina of Time, TMNT: The Last Ronin, and Marvel’s Wolverine game news.
  • A sealed Super Mario Bros. copy reportedly sells for $3 million.
  • Tupac appears in Stranger Than Heaven, a prequel to the Like a Dragon series.
  • Links:
    • https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/switch-2-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-is-making-some-fans-regret-what-they-wished-for
    • https://www.inverse.com/gaming/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-the-last-ronin-platinum-games-ps5-xbox
    • https://kotaku.com/copy-of-super-mario-bros-sells-for-3-million-in-auction-2000706228
    • https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/tupac-video-game-stranger-than-heaven-9.7232112
• Strong Museum of Play and Video Game Hall of Fame
  • Sorg and Katie visit the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, including the Video Game Hall of Fame, giant Donkey Kong, Oregon Trail, Street Fighter, Sonic, Sesame Street, Peanuts, Hello Kitty, Dungeons & Dragons, and interactive game exhibits.
• Nerdvana
  • The crew talks about the restaurant across from the Strong Museum where guests can play Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, or board games while eating.
• Ford’s hidden QR code in EV camouflage
  • Dave discusses Ford hiding a QR code inside the camouflage pattern on a prototype electric pickup, turning spy photos into promotion.
  • Link: https://www.theautopian.com/the-30000-ford-ev-pickup-we-photographed-was-hiding-a-qr-code-on-its-camouflage-heres-where-it-takes-you/
• Google Gemini Pro and Google One
  • Sorg discovers Google AI Pro access connected to Google storage plans and talks through Gemini, Google Forms automation, vibe coding, AI tools, NotebookLM, Flow, and possible app development.
  • Link: https://gemini.google/us/subscriptions/?hl=en&brid=YWdncwHVFyhYRkb6SzEgcIU3w1kG

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Stories & Gadgets Discussed
Apple WWDC 2026 recap: Siri AI, Apple Intelligence, OS 27 updates, platform integration, device support, and on-device search
https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/09/wwdc-2026-everything-announced-on-siri-ai-os-27-apple-intelligence-and-more/
https://www.apple.com/os/
Apple photo “reframing” and improved generative photo tools discussed from Dave’s example
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0297Gj_aPuBo97xcOeuMEKq8g
Apple Developer app as a resource for WWDC sessions and platform deep dives
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-developer/id640199958
He-Man movie reactions, Masters of the Universe nostalgia, Skeletor memes, and mobile He-Man games
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mattel.amethyst&hl=en-US&pli=1
Pride Month tech history spotlight: Lynn Conway and her pioneering work in chip design
https://www.invent.org/inductees/lynn-conway
Chachi Says Video Game Minute:
California’s Protect Our Games Act moves forward
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/us-bill-requiring-paid-games-to-be-playable-after-they-shut-down-has-passed-initial-vote-and-moved-to-the-senate/
Paramount launches a new games studio
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-games-studio-launches-tony-driscoll-leads-1236614610/
Amazon may move future 007 game development in-house
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/amazon-suggests-io-interactive-might-not-return-for-007-first-light-sequel
Nintendo Direct reactions: Star Fox demo, Zelda Ocarina remake talk, Kingdom Hearts 4, and Switch 2 edition discussion
https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/947120/nintendo-direct-june-2026-analysis
Awesome Tip of the Week: Sorg talks about using Neewer NL192AI LED panel lights for podcast and studio video production.

The panel breaks down how AI tools became genuinely useful in everyday workflows, from content production and health tracking to decision-making and trend analysis. Rob shares why Bambu Labs 3D printers represent a turning point in consumer and professional 3D printing, removing friction and making rapid prototyping accessible for creators, engineers, and hobbyists alike.

The episode also covers the evolving role of AI in media creation, concerns around over-reliance and trust, and why human-made content may soon become a premium feature. Intern Mac reflects on changing career paths into media production, while the crew revisits their 2025 tech predictions, holds themselves accountable, and locks in bold forecasts for 2026.

Plus: Chachi’s Video Game Minute, AI competition heating up, Apple Vision Pro speculation, and why “AI inside” may need clearer definitions moving forward.

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