In AwesomeCast 802, Michael Sorg, Katie “Dudders” Dudas, and Dave Podnar get geeky about useful security tools, Apple's newest hardware and creator software, retro tech, and the delightfully strange corners of the internet.

In this episode:

• QR-code scams and mobile security: Katie demonstrates Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, including suspicious QR-code checks, network scanning, and device-security warnings.
• Apple hardware roundup: Dave discusses the new iPad mini, M6-powered iMac, and entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro—and questions the iPad mini's 60Hz display.
• The next MacBook Pro? The hosts discuss rumors, as of recording, about a higher-end OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro. These are not confirmed specifications.
• Apple's creator tools: Pixelmator Pro's generative-fill features and changes to Final Cut Pro, Motion, Compressor, and other Creator Studio apps lead to a hands-on AI experiment.
• AI that nags—usefully: Sorg shares how Muse surfaced ignored messages, built a plan for a looming business deadline, and raised questions about giving an AI access to email.
• The iPod turns 25: A look back at Apple's original music player, early MP3 rivals, FireWire, and the iPod models the hosts owned.
• Chachi Says Video Game Minute: A fast roundup touching on the Street Fighter movie, Grand Theft Auto VI, Team Vitality, and BioWare/Mass Effect news discussed on the show.
• MapQuest is back: Katie revisits its seasonal characters and navigation experiments.
• Firefox's nostalgia play: A new ad brings back classic internet meme personalities while emphasizing more user choice around AI.
• IdeaLab AI: The crew tries an AI-assisted startup-idea database that matches possible ventures with people's skills and budgets.
• Halloween technology and oddities: Roku screensaver Easter eggs, a Ghostbusters-inspired Rivian video featuring Bill Murray, and sidewalk delivery robots.
• Pittsburgh makers: A quick mention of Katie's recent interview with Protohaven and more videos from local robotics coverage.

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Episode links from show notes that were discussed

Story links mentioned in the episode's show notes

• Sophos Intercept X for Mobile — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sophos-intercept-x-for-mobile/id1086924662
• M6 14-inch MacBook Pro — https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/27/apple-unveils-new-14-inch-macbook-pro-powered-by-m6/
• New M6 iMac — https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/27/apple-launches-new-imac-with-powerful-m6-chip/
• iPad mini — https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/26/new-ipad-mini-features-release-date-price/
• Rumored OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro — https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/27/last-minute-leak-reveals-new-touchscreen-macbook-pro-details-pricing-new-cooling-system-more/
• Apple Creator Studio / Pixelmator Pro update — https://fstoppers.com/news/apples-creator-studio-update-brings-generate-fill-pixelmator-pro-905216
• Original MP3 players and iPod-era nostalgia — https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/1ivd67e/the_advent_of_portable_mp3_players/
• Firefox's retro-internet ad — https://www.facebook.com/reel/1895455387900133
• IdeaLab AI startup database — https://idealab.ai/#database
• Bill Murray / Rivian Ghostbusters-style reel — https://www.facebook.com/reel/4824461954541951
• MapQuest navigation reel discussed — https://www.instagram.com/reel/De0T-AZDB9f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&psln=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

00:32 Welcome to AwesomeCast 802
02:14 QR-code scams and Sophos Intercept X
08:25 Apple's iPad mini and M6 Mac news
10:42 OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro rumors
13:32 Apple Creator Studio, Final Cut, Pixelmator
16:55 Testing new AI tools in Final Cut
21:49 Muse AI calls out missed emails and deadlines
25:03 When an AI assistant feels like an intern
31:15 25 years of the iPod and MP3 nostalgia
37:28 Chachi Says: Video Game Minute
38:46 Patreon supporters and community updates
39:45 MapQuest's seasonal navigation features
43:42 Firefox reunites classic internet memes
45:35 IdeaLab AI finds startup ideas
51:10 Roku's Halloween screensaver Easter eggs
52:48 Bill Murray's Ghostbusters-style Rivian ad
54:47 Sidewalk delivery robots in the wild
57:00 Protohaven, new interviews, and wrap-up

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

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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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.