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

Support AwesomeCast on Patreon for exclusive aftertalk content:

https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast

Thanks to our supporters: Brian Crawford, Cynthia Closkey, John DeGore, and Dave Podnar.

• Riverhounds had a Nil-Nil tie with the Charleston Battery, but it looks like it wasn't that exciting of a match.
• The Hounds are on the road to Louisville City.
• They are currently tied for second in the group with Louisville with 25 points each.
• Matt gives us some World Cup updates.
• In PGA news from Connecticut at TPC River Highlands Bubba Watson had a hell of a third and fourth round to come out with the win.
• Watson had -17 total shooting -7 on the final round.
• The tour goes to TPC Potomac at Avenel in Potomac MD northwest of DC for the Quicken Loans National.
• Tiger is on the green, but a lot of other big names are not. There's no DJ, Spieth, Kepca, Mickelson.
• We're counting down to the Open.
• Penguins sign Bryan Rust to a four-year deal, leaving them with $4.2 mill to spend in cap space.
• It's likely that Oleksiak and Sheahan will get those nods.
• The Pens also signed Sprong and Simone.
• Crosby has reached out to Kunitz, and it looks like Kunitz and the Pens have shown mutual interest in another stint.
• The Pens are looking to get him for less than $2 mill.
• Kunitz will be 39 at the start of the season.
• Le'veon Bell and the Steelers report that they are a lot closer than they were last season on making a deal.
• Both side hope to come to an agreement before the July 16th deadline.
• Every year the NFL posts a Top 100 list for the upcoming season. The top ten this year are: Brady, Brown, Went, Jones, Bell, Gurley, Donald, Brees, V.Miller, and Rodgers.
• The Pirates are supposedly shopping Cervelli, Dickerson, Harrison, Mercer, and Freese.
• Shopping around is an effort to cut payroll because of the drastic drop in attendance this season.
• Neil Huntington has said that if the fans don't come out, that they can't afford to put a team on the field and the roster will be weakened because of the fans.
• Huntington said that the team will add pieces at the deadline if the attendance picks up.
• The team is worth $1.2 bill, and profited $86 mill between 2016 and 2017.
• Nutting has petitioned the PA State Gaming Board for tax revenue stemming from the new sports booking that is expectied to open before the start of Football season.
• The Bucs are 2-7 with another 4 straight losses to the Diamondbacks (who lead the NL West). that
• They did win over the Mets in NYC, and went to extra innings at home in the series to take a loss in the 10th.

After the show remember to:

Follow the discussion on Twitter (@BoldPGHSports)

Check out BOLDpgh.com and sorgatronmedia.com for more entertainment!

Sponsored By:

• Riverhounds won 3-Nil over the NY Red Bulls with goals from Parkes, and Brett.
• They move into a tie with Louisville City for second in group A.
• In World Cup news, Mexico beat Germany, and Iceland won their first match.
• The US Open at Shinnecock Hill in Long Island was won by Bruce Koepka for the second straight year.
• The last time there was back-to-back winners was 88-89 from Curtis Strange.
• Rod Woodson speaks up about a lack of playmakers on D side of the ball, stating that Shazier was going to be that guy.
• TJ Watt is still in question.
• Since Troy, there hasn't been a bigtime playmaker. They're looking for Cam Hayward to step up, - Bud Dupree to get in there, and Stephon Tuitt to stay healthy.
• Bryant is facing a possible suspension due to moving and missed testing and programs.
• The Caps raise a banner without trolling the Pens.
• With the NHL season schedule set, they open agains the Bruins Oct 3rd.
• The Penguins are trying to obtain Max Domi (son of Ty Domi) from the Coyotes.
• Kessel is interested in being reunited with Tocchet, but they are strapped on the cap hit at 6.8 million.
• The Leafs are carrying 1.2 of the current cap.
• Sources say the Pens offered up Rust, Sheary, or Simon. Due to the cap hit, to acquire him, someone would need to be traded.
• The Pirates dealt with some rain after a 1-0 win and a 3-2 loss. l
• A highlight at the Buccos game was Steven Brault singing the National Anthem.
• Polonco shows signs of promise, but then the next game lays an egg.

After the show remember to:

Follow the discussion on Twitter (@BoldPGHSports)

Check out BOLDpgh.com and sorgatronmedia.com for more entertainment!

Sponsored By:

• World Cup
• US Open
• NHL Finals
• NBA Finals
• Steelers
• MLB
• Pirates

After the show remember to:

Follow the discussion on Twitter (@BoldPGHSports)

Check out BOLDpgh.com and sorgatronmedia.com for more entertainment!

Sponsored By:

Shout out to Rob de la Cretaz. We miss you, buddy. Happy Podcast Birthday!
Chilla (physically) stole Sorg’s Awesome Thing of the Week – his Wyze security cam.
Katie is sharing an awesome luminary from Legendary Luminaries as her Awesome Thing of the Week.
Uncle Crappy’s Awesome Thing of the Week is the World Cup presence on Google.
BTW: The official soccer ball for the World Cup has some tech integration.
Amanda is sharing her Awesome Thing of the Week – the Impossible Ball and the fun tech integration this little soccer(ish)ball has.
Sorg must be holding a grudge against Chilla – he skipped over his Awesome Thing of the Week! (Just kidding. We’re talking about Fortnite.)
Fortnite on Nintendo Switch does have some issues that are angering some Sony users.
Brian has joined the VR age with his discount cardboard!
Microsoft sunk their recent data center – into the ocean – to help with cooling.
Speaking of Fortnite, it’s opening new doors for marketing opportunities.
Katie is super excited about iPhone tongue tracking for animojis and memojis.
OH: I’m not going to do anything dangerous. I just want to stick my tongue out!
Let’s make a giant spinning litter box – AND GIVE IT EARS!
Sorg is sharing some gaming upgrades – thanks to some thrifty finds.
Sorg thought the Fire TV Cube was an April Fools Day joke at first!
The Steam store will accept anything that isn’t illegal or trolling thanks to Valve’s new policy.
And, we devolve to reminiscing about where we all were 8 years ago…other than podcasting here.
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: Alex (@alexanderkahrs), Chilla (@chilla) and Sorg (@Sorgatron)

June 12th is a big day for us! It’s our 8-year anniversary PLUS our 400th episode! (We’ll be doing something fun for the occasion. You should join us.)

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!