On AwesomeCast 795, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore gaming news, gadgets, apps, and geek culture from Pittsburgh.

• Xbox Cloud Gaming limits: Sorg explains why he moved his Xbox Series S back downstairs. The hosts discuss the impact of monthly streaming allowances on long games and cloud-focused devices, plus a follow-up on Xbox’s disc-to-digital licensing preview.
https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-announces-big-changes-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-switches-to-monthly-hour-limits

• Next-generation Xbox affordability: An interview about Project Helix sparks a conversation about efficiency, console prices, PC game compatibility, and unanswered disc-drive questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txuYKwrbq1M

• Retro cartridges on modern computers: Sorg discovers Epilogue’s GB Operator and SN Operator. The discussion covers playing existing Game Boy and Super Nintendo collections, preserving cartridge saves, and a Game Boy Camera connection.
https://apple.news/A9oaGgCU0QpqcvQLP7ttlKQ

• MapQuest’s 8-bit personality: Katie shares her experience with pixel-style maps, Questies character avatars, playful navigation voices, CarPlay, and live radio.

• Star Trek at 60: Dave reflects on the franchise’s cultural impact, diverse vision of the future, and connections to real-world technology, from communicators to tablet-like PADDs.

• John Snow and disease mapping: Dave’s Awesome History explores the Broad Street cholera outbreak and connects historical mapping with modern wastewater surveillance and community preparedness.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1854_Broad_Street_cholera_outbreak

• Panic’s tariff refunds: ChachiSays covers the Playdate company’s decision to return tariff charges to customers.
https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/tariff-refunds-sent-to-video-game-customers-not-our-money.html

• The Tetris Company responds: Chachi discusses the company’s statement about a Tetris-like game on the White House website.
https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/tetris-company-trump-white-house-build-the-wall-game-copyright-1236851993/

• Zelda anniversary reactions: Sorg discusses the presentation’s movie reveal, music-tour news, and Ocarina of Time remake footage. The hosts weigh remake pricing, revisit Nintendo memories, and talk Twilight Princess, Star Fox, and Super Mario Sunshine.
https://www.theverge.com/games/991265/the-legend-of-zelda-40th-anniversary-direct

• Street Fighter 6 meets the movies: Movie-actor challenger screens, including Roman Reigns as Akuma, spark excitement and memories of Street Fighter’s earlier film and game crossover.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1755856245623451

• Snoopy at Starbucks: Katie highlights Great Pumpkin-inspired Peanuts merchandise, including mugs, travel cups, bags, and pins.
https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2026/starbucks-and-peanuts-celebrate-fall-with-a-global-merch-collection-inspired-by-the-great-pumpkin/

• Dungeon Crawler Carl LEGO Ideas: Two fan proposals bring Carl, Princess Donut, and friends into brick form. The hosts explore a dungeon scene and larger character builds seeking community support.
https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/eb3c3057-8646-45b4-86ba-dfc08ba7e7e8
https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/6e47b028-7cba-48bc-81d9-a1461bdd4d08

• Clucky’s demanding wake-up call: Sorg sets up a rooster alarm app with snooze challenges, samples its loud sounds, and chooses a tilt-game mission. Katie explains how the app turns getting out of bed into an interactive routine.
https://tryclucky.com

Plus, Dave shares his Steelers 5K experience, and the hosts bring their usual mix of hands-on discoveries, gaming opinions, and Pittsburgh personality.

Chatting the tech news of the week with Ron Krause, Katie Dudas, John Chichilla and Mike Sorg!

• Dudders is looking forward to the Animal Crossing update coming July 30th including Fireworks, Dream Islands, and island recovery.
• Krause is finding the new All Apps Screen organization on iOS 14 beta very helpful
• Sorg is trying to make sure bugs and plants are not trying to kill him with the Insect Identification and PlantScape apps on iOS to identify with a picture.
• Chilla is looking forward to Alexa's upcoming mobile app update.
• Amanda from Bold Pittsburgh shared with us in the AwesomeCast Facebook Group the amazing looking Game Boy cartridge player, the Analogue Pocket that can also play Game Gear and other mobile consoles from yesteryear
• Amanda also has her hands on the Lume Cube Mini Panel for camera lighting.
• We look back at the Xbox Game Pass reveal event and how that has shaped how we view Microsoft's gaming strategies.
• Movies Anywhere moves ahead and makes Watch Party a little more accessible.

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: Chilla (@chilla), Dudders (@kdudders), Ron Krause (@KrazyKrause) and Sorg (@Sorgatron)

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

Remember to check out our friends at the The 405 Media (@The405Radio), and Postindustrial Audio (@post_industry) 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

Sorg, Dudders and Producer Missy are sharing this week’s tech updates, including:

• Sorg has been addicted to original Game Boy games Dr. Mario and Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle
• Dudders is interested in the Facebook Pop Ups for small business.
• Missy talks about Amazon reportedly split its second headquarters between two cities 
• Fortnite is going to have NFL uniforms in game!
• Nintendo Switch is getting Youtube.
• Super Mario Galaxy is already playable in an emulator.
• That's no waffle!  We want the Pokeball Waffle Maker.
• Variant 13 looks to be an elaborate theatrical experience in England.
• Looking for Group picked up a new Street Fighter Arcade!
• Super Mario Flashback looks cool.
• AR Porn is happening.

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: Dudders (@Kdudders) Producer Missy (@rebelliousflaw), 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!