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.

The “free for now” AI moment
One of the big conversations this week is around Adobe Firefly opening the gates for unlimited image and video generations—at least until mid-March. The crew talks about why companies do this (get you hooked), but also why it’s still worth exploring right now if you’re creating promos, openers, or social clips. 

AI hits gaming: the Project Genie ripple
Chachi’s Video Game Minute drops a bigger question: what happens when generative tools reduce the need for traditional creative labor, and how does the industry react when that shift feels immediate? 

Pittsburgh corner: arcade church + LEGO skyline dreams
On the local front, a new arcade opens inside an old church in Duquesne with a one-time entry fee and a whole lot of machines set to free play—instantly landing on the crew’s “we should go there” list. 
And then there’s the LEGO Ideas “Pittsburgh” build: the skyline, the incline, the vibe… and yes, a “bus in a sinkhole.” The crew makes the case for voting it into existence. 

Gadget pick: Cell2Jack = landline nostalgia, modern convenience
Dudders’ Awesome Thing of the Week is Cell2Jack—letting your cell phone ring through a home handset so you can stop missing calls and bring back that “anyone can answer the house phone” feeling. 

Switch 2 upgrades: worth it or nah?
The crew breaks down what “Switch 2 Editions” even mean in practice (and how pricing/extra content is landing), using Mario Wonder’s multiplayer design as a touchpoint. 

Black History Month spotlight: James West
Podnar’s spotlight highlights inventor James West and how the electret microphone helped make modern microphones small, practical, and everywhere—like, literally in your phone. 

Topics Covered:

Apple iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence:

• Discover the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1, including call recording, transcription, and advanced Siri capabilities.
• Learn how to upgrade to iOS 18.1 beta and find out which devices are compatible.

Call of Duty Returns:

• Explore the return of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on Xbox Game Pass and its new downloadable content, including WWE character skins.
• Find out about similar gaming experiences on Apple Arcade.

California’s Blockchain Vehicle Titles:

• Understand California’s initiative to digitize vehicle titles using blockchain technology for enhanced security and convenience.

SearchGPT Prototype:

• Get introduced to SearchGPT, a prototype search engine powered by ChatGPT, offering concise answers with citations.
• Compare SearchGPT with traditional search engines like Google.

Gaming Throwback - Rock Band:

• Check out the new Rift Master Wireless Guitar controller for Xbox and PC, perfect for reliving Rock Band nostalgia.
• Learn how the guitar controller integrates with Fortnite’s festival mode.

Show Notes and Links:

• Apple Beta Program: https://beta.apple.com/
• Call of Duty on Game Pass: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass
• California DMV Blockchain Initiative: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/
• SearchGPT Waitlist: https://searchgpt.com/
• Rift Master Wireless Guitar: https://www.pdp.com/

Support the Show:

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast
• Slice on Broadway: https://www.sliceonbroadway.com/
• Sidekick Media Services: https://www.sidekickmediaservices.com/

Stay tuned for more exciting episodes and don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for the latest updates!

In this episode of the Wrestling Mayhem Show, we dive into a plethora of professional wrestling topics with our guest, the “Technical Assassin” Brandon Lee. Tune in for an international flavor as we explore the world of wrestling from both sides of the Atlantic. Here’s what you can expect:

News Stories and Topics:

• Introduction and Crew Update:

• Host Mike Sorgat (@Sorgatron) welcomes the regular crew back after a chaotic week, with The Rizz from RizzPlayzGames and Dave Potter from the iPhoneography podcast and Awesome Cast joining the conversation.

• Discussion on how both Rizz and Sorg ended up wearing matching Chocomania shirts, leading to a humorous start.

Guest Introduction:

• Welcoming Brandon Lee, also known as the “Technical Assassin,” who has wrestled for NWA Exodus Pro, Renegade Wrestling Alliance, and Rise Wrestling. He joins to share insights into British wrestling and his experiences in Cleveland.

Dominic Mysterio Angle:

• Analysis of the ongoing Dominic Mysterio storyline, comparing it to the Eddie Guerrero and Chyna angle. Mention of Jey Uso’s humorous involvement, asking Rhea Ripley to Waffle House.

Carlito and Judgment Day:

• Discussion on Carlito’s mysterious involvement with the Judgment Day and his ambiguous status within the group. Comments on Carlito’s AJ Styles-like shirt design.

Wyatt Six and Rowan’s Video:

• Conversation about the Wyatt Six storyline, Rowan’s heartfelt promo discussing the impact of Brodie Lee and Bray Wyatt’s deaths, and the emotional weight it adds to the narrative.

Creed Brothers Teaming with Chad Gable:

• Excitement over the Creed Brothers teaming with Chad Gable, dressed in suits, and the potential for this new alliance.

AEW and Upcoming Events:

• Preview of AEW Dynamite 250, featuring a champion vs. champion match between MJF and Swerve Strickland. Speculation on the outcomes and implications for AEW’s future.

• Brief mention of the finals of the Owen Hart Tournament and how it impacts current storylines.

Ring of Honor and TV Deal Speculations:

• Discussion on Ring of Honor getting dedicated TV taping time and the potential changes in their presentation and reach.

• Broader conversation on AEW’s television deal and its significance in the wrestling industry.

IndyWrestling.us and Upcoming Shows:

• Promotions for upcoming events, including RWA’s show featuring Crazy Steve and the new content on IndyWrestling.us.

What We Learned Segment:

• Host Reflections:

• Sorg reflects on how the Monday night wrestling show with Combat One in Detroit exceeded expectations, highlighting Valenje of ICP’s involvement and the unique venue of a roller rink.

• Discussion on how this promotion is raising the bar for family-friendly wrestling in Detroit.

Conclusion:

• Upcoming Matches and Events:

• Brandon Lee discusses his upcoming matches and bookings in the UK, including the exciting news about the reboot of World of Sport Wrestling in September.

• Hype for the upcoming Exodus Pro show, featuring a 10-man tag match with EC3 and Carson Drake’s teams.

Check out the Indy Wrestling US Network at www.indywrestling.network. For a short time, get a 7-day FREE trial to access a growing collection of content.

**A special shout out to our Manager Level Patreon supporter Bradley Ruthers (@HeelBradley)

Introduction of a combined sports streaming service by ESPN, Fox, and Warner Brothers Discovery, offering extensive coverage of major sports and leagues from Matt Carlinshttps://wbd.com/espn-fox-and-warner-bros-discovery-forming-joint-venture-to-launch-streaming-sports-service-in-the-u-s/ 

Chilla looks at the the Elgato Game Capture 4K X and its compatibility with different devices for streaming. https://www.elgato.com/us/en/p/game-capture-4k-x

Discussion on health and fitness tech, highlighting a diabetes monitor that connects to smartphones for tracking and managing health data with the Accu Check MySugr app. https://www.accu-chek.com/products/mysugr

Conversation around the potential of Apple's Vision Pro and its implications for immersive media consumption and virtual environments. What can we do with it in our home and work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df0TUKWnMNs 

https://youtu.be/n7hJlyVDEc8?si=c99wm1HOl2DgDuoO&t=578

Blue Sky is opening up for users and protocols https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/6/24062837/bluesky-drops-invite-system-begins-federation-at-protocol

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kidmental got a Circuit Mess electronics kit for his son to build gadgets like the "Bite Boy" handheld game console. The devices can communicate over long distances using a wireless protocol.https://circuitmess.com/

Chilla set up a new streaming desk setup with a USB hub, pegboard for organization, and a pan/tilt/zoom camera on a shelf to provide multiple camera angles. He's planning to start live streaming more in 2023.https://amzn.to/47m2heF https://amzn.to/47onCnw

Podnar got a new Apple Watch Series 9 to replace his older Series 4. The new watch has better battery life, always-on display, and more sensors to provide running metrics.

Sorg is using the newer workout plans in Apple Fitness to plan his workouts.

NASA beamed a test video of a cat ("Taters") into deep space and back using a new laser communication system, achieving a data rate of 267 megabits per second. This was a test of their ability to transmit high bandwidth data over long distances.https://www.engadget.com/nasa-beamed-a-video-of-a-cat-named-taters-from-deep-space-to-earth-175814869.html

The group discussed the new social media platform Blue Sky and how difficult it is to keep up with new platforms. Many platforms don't have APIs available yet to easily cross-post content.

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Dudders was busy “defending” her 2PW Kicking Cancer’s Ass Championship this weekend!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdP0bpNZQF0

Video games: New games announced at The Game Awards like Baldur's Gate 3 winning Game of the Year; updates on games like Sonic Frontiers and Devil May Cry

Sega is bringing back classics like Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Golden Axe remakes! https://kotaku.com/sega-new-trailers-game-awards-crazy-taxis-jet-set-radio-1851082994

Gaming tech: Using Steam Link to play PC games on TVs/devices around your house; using Xbox Remote Play app to play Xbox on Android TVshttps://store.steampowered.com/app/353380/Steam_Link/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grill.xbxplay

The end of annual gaming event E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). But nothing can kill the Adult Entertainment Expohttps://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2023/12/12/e3-permanently-canceled/

Raspberry Pi accessories and projects from Vilros websitewww.vilros.com

Google's new Notebook LM service for organizing notes/documents and asking AI questions about the contenthttps://notebooklm.google/

The WeCroak app that sends reminders about mortality 5 times per day

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New cable organizers from Amazon for tidying up cords and cables (Yumo Silicone Cable Ties) https://amzn.to/46LR06U

Bluetooth headphones from Amazon for running and exercise (POC Buds) https://amzn.to/3uLJ2xo

Loupedeck for music production and streaming to automate actions and simplify workflows from kidmental https://loupedeck.com/us/

Sony/PlayStation removing purchased Discovery content at end of 2022 due to licensing changes https://nerdist.com/article/playstation-store-will-delete-users-purchased-discovery-tv-shows-with-no-refunds/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1701716905

Being able to use external storage with recent iPhones to offload photos, videos, ProRes footage, etc. all the way back to iPhone XR https://www.theverge.com/23989090/iphone-files-backup-external-disk-how-to

Software updates allowing iPhone cameras to record in professional LOG format, raw, 4K 120fps, etc.

vMix software integrations like data feeds, remote callers, live stats overlays for production https://www.vmix.com/

Lack of permanence around digital purchases and younger generations seeing that content differently

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Awesome Things of the Week

Katie got a new iridescent Hello Kitty iPhone case for the 50th anniversaryhttps://shopsonix.com/products/hello-kitty-50th-anniversary-magsafe-compatible-iphone-case

Chilla got a MagSafe wallet stand for his iPhone that also functions as a standhttps://amzn.to/3QOAZY0

Mike is thankful for the transit app and public transportation improvements in Pittsburgh https://transitapp.com/

Thankful for Tech

Katie is thankful for her variety of external hard drives

Chilla is thankful for all his tech cases for traveling

Mike is thankful for the ease of travel and on-demand services enabled by technology

Other News

Katie used an iPhone cleaning kit with ninja star tools to clean her old phonehttps://amzn.to/3QTazEu

Chilla explained YubiKeys for passwordless authentication and securityhttps://www.engadget.com/yubikeys-are-buy-one-get-one-half-off-for-black-friday-140046543.html

Duolingo added chess and math lessons, has integration with Chess.comhttps://blog.duolingo.com/new-subjects/

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New iPhone features

Live voicemail - see live transcription of voicemails as they're left

Voice isolation - isolate voice from background noise on calls

Stickers from photos - make stickers from your photos

Wellitory app https://welltory.com/

Tracks health data from Apple Watch

Provides stress, energy, and health ratings

Makes recommendations like sleep, exercise, meditation

iOS accessibility features https://www.facebook.com/DavidPodnar/videos/2041087876262032?idorvanity=323401861015051

Voice recording before speech loss

Allows text to speech with own voice

For conditions like ALS

ChatGPT updates https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt-can-now-see-hear-and-speak 

New voice capabilities - can talk to ChatGPT

Can provide images to ChatGPT for context

Concerns over impersonation and fraud

Google Bard AI extensions

Integrates with Gmail, YouTube, Maps, etc.

Can summarize your info and activities

Useful for searching personal data

Buying a dinosaur skeleton https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dinosaur-known-barry-goes-sale-rare-paris-auction-2023-09-18/

Auctioning skeleton "Barry"

Could cost over $1 million

ChatGPT's tips on fundraising

Aldi branded apparel https://www.aldi.us/en/products/aldi-gear/

New sweats, tees, pajamas, more

Cute, cheap cozy clothes

Good for working from home

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Join our AwesomeCast Facebook Group to see what we’re sharing and to join the discussion!

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Sorg is using Claude.ai along with Podcast transcripts and new prompts to up Podcast post production

Podnar brings Cinemin by Tinrocket on iPhone to bring some new style to your videos. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cinemin-by-tinrocket/id1518176287

Brian Crawford submits the new Atari 2600+ that plays all your old Atari cartridges without worrying about starting a fire with that old AC Adapter

Clean up that goofy text from Mid Journey with Textify by Storia https://textify.storia.ai/

Play with words with Google’s TextFX

https://textfx.withgoogle.com/

Apple Event September 12. Where’s your iPhone payoff at?

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• We talk about Stan Lee and his contributions...
• ...which leads to the Apple App Store Today stories like the one on Stan Lee
• Chilla talks about his new 2018 iPad Pro and a sweet USB C hub from Satechi.
• Amazon HQ2 won't be in Pittsburgh.
• Death Bus for Hope is back!
• Brian Crawford reports on his switch back to iPhone with the XS Max.
• Apple Clips gets AR!
• How about that Samsung Flex Phone?
• 7-Eleven testing "scan and go" mobile checkout.
• Ingress Prime reboot and anime on the way.

After the show remember to:

Eat at Slice on Broadway (@Pgh_Slice) if you are in the Pittsburgh area! It is Awesome! (sliceonbroadway.com)

Want to be part of our studio audience? Hit us up at awesomecast@sorgatronmedia.com and we’ll save you a seat!

Join our AwesomeCast Facebook Group to see what we’re sharing and to join the discussion!

Follow these awesome people on Twitter: John Chichilla (@chilla) and Sorg (@Sorgatron)

Have you seen our AwesomeTips videos?

You can support the show at Patreon.com/awesomecast!

Remember to check out our friends at the River’s Edge (@RiversEdgePGH) and The 405 Media (@The405Radio) who replay the show on their stream throughout the week!

Also, check out sorgatronmedia.com and awesomecast.com for more entertainment; and view us livestreaming Tuesdays around 7:00 PM EST