AwesomeCast 741: Gaming on the Go: Backbone Review & Xbox Without a Console
In this episode of AwesomeCast, co-hosts Michael Sorg and Dave Podnar dive into the latest tech trends, gadgets, and geek culture from Pittsburgh and beyond. Sorg shares a hands-on review of the Backbone USB-C mobile game controller, and Dave unveils a jaw-dropping 115-inch Hisense Mini-LED TV that costs as much as a car. We explore tech headlines including the consolidation of ChromeOS and Android, Google’s AI-powered NotebookLM, and how Xbox is pushing console-less gaming with Fire TV bundles. Plus, hear from Intern John about Picklesburgh adventures and travel plans, and enjoy a rapid-fire roundup in Chachi’s Video Game Minute, featuring a major shakeup on Steam and FBI action on ROM sites.
👉 Don’t miss insider insights, live tech demos, and how these innovations impact gamers, journalists, and content creators alike.
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🔹 Tech & News Highlights from the Show
🕹 Backbone USB-C Game Controller Review (Sorg’s Awesome Thing of the Week)
Hands-on demo of the Backbone USB-C controller for mobile gaming.
Works with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, GeForce Now, Luna, and Apple Arcade.
Reviewed its build quality, compatibility issues with rugged phone cases, and a sketchy subscription model (Backbone+).
Compared against cheaper, less intuitive Chinese controllers (e.g., Shanwan).
Noted advantages: plug-and-play, pass-through USB-C charging, and overall solid ergonomics.
Challenges: loud buttons, unclear subscription pricing, and awkward button placement that may interfere with gameplay.
📺 Hisense 115-Inch Mini LED TV (Dave’s Awesome Thing of the Week)
Features cutting-edge Mini LED technology with RGB pixel precision.
Massive size (115 inches) with 165Hz refresh rate.
Retails at $30,000 – aimed at high-end, future-looking consumers.
A CES-style “dream product” that showcases where display tech is headed.
🔥 Xbox Cloud Gaming on Fire Stick
Highlighted Prime Day bundle: Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Controller + Fire TV Stick + Game Pass Ultimate.
Critiqued misleading headline about “Jeff Bezos destroying Xbox console sales.”
Explained how this supports Xbox’s strategy to expand beyond physical consoles via cloud gaming.
Limitations: game access may vary (e.g., owned titles like WWE 2K25 not playable via cloud), and still in beta.
💻 ChromeOS & Android Merger
Google plans to merge ChromeOS and Android into a unified system for Chromebooks.
ChromeOS will run on top of a new Android base, similar to Windows on MS-DOS architecture.
Aimed at increasing app compatibility and reducing confusion for users, especially in education sectors.
🧠 Google NotebookLM Pre-Loaded Topics
Google introduces featured notebooks in NotebookLM to help users get started with generative AI tools.
Topics include Shakespeare, Yellowstone science, Q1 earnings of top companies, parenting advice, and more.
Offers curated collections for journalists, students, and researchers.
Encourages practical AI use cases like digesting long court documents or summarizing email exchanges.
🎮 Chachi’s Video Game Minute
FBI seizes 7 ROM sites; 3.2 million illegal downloads valued at $170M.
Google Gemini AI refuses to play chess after other AIs lose—possibly demonstrating learning.
Stardew Valley dethrones Portal 2 as Steam’s highest-rated game after 14 years.
📽 Bonus: Side Mentions & Upcoming Events
Picklesburgh recap: Sorg and Intern John discuss crowds, cream soda, and floating pickles.
Upcoming media coverage from Tekko Anime Convention in Pittsburgh.
Talk of live reaction content like “Don’t Copy That Floppy” and other nostalgic tech PSAs.
Reminder of the Patreon-exclusive content and shoutouts to show supporters.
