This is Only a Test

This week, we catch up on the new animated MCU show "What If...?", get hyped for Star Wars Visions, recap our trip to see the original Batwing filming model, and try to wrap our heads around the appeal folding phones. Plus, we discuss and give our impressions on the just-announced Horizon Workrooms open beta and the virtual reality technology being developed to create the VR alternative to video calls for collaborations.

Three big topics to go over this week, as Norm recaps and gives more context to his Steam Deck hands-on trip to Valve, we discuss The Suicide Squad with minor spoilers, and Devindra Hardawar of Engadget and the Filmcast guests to give clarity to Apple's new child safety initiatives on iPhone. Thanks to Devindra for guesting this week! You can find him online at https://twitter.com/devindra and the Filmcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4997224

This week, Kishore gives a big update explaining the data on the Delta variant, we discuss the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife trailer, Google's just-announced Pixel 6 phone, Disney's Galactic Starcruiser pricing, and the prospects for PC-based virtual reality systems as a sustainable market.

Jeremy returns his week down in Southern California and reports back on his visit to Galaxy's Edge, Universal Studios Hollywood, and the EV road trip getting there. We also have more thoughts on the Steam Deck, discuss the first hands-on reports of the Playdate handheld, and awe at PlayStation 5's record-breaking sales. Plus, some Oculus updates that VR fans should know about!

Dan Stapleton from IGN joins us this week to break down the announcement of the Steam Deck as we talk through Valve's forays into making and selling hardware. From the hardware's potential to the pre-order system designed to thwart scalpers, we discuss who this new handheld is designed for and our hopes for it. Plus, a spoiler-filled recap and review of the finale of Loki!

Kishore gives a health update, Jeremy prepares for a trip to Disneyland, and Norm has opinions about the new look of broadcast sports. Disney announces two eagerly-anticpated streaming specials, and we review Black Widow and talk about what its simultaneous theatrical and streaming release mean for the future of Marvel Studios films. Plus, we weigh in on the achievements of private companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Orgin, and SpaceX have made in sending their own crewed missions to space. What does it mean to democratize space travel?

Kishore's back from vacation to give us some context about what's going on with the Delta variant, and we share our spoiler-free thoughts on the latest episode of Loki, Nintendo's surprising Switch hardware announcement, and the latest on Jeremy and Kishore's EV quests. Plus, what movies do you think would benefit from a 4D theater treatment?

We're joined by friend of the site Steve Lin this week to catch up and talk about the reception to Disney's Loki show so far (no spoilers!), the announcement of Windows 11, the benefits of 4K vs HDR, and anticipation for the new LEGO BrickLink Designer Program. Plus, our reaction to the latest Picard Season 2 trailer and how much an iconic Next Generation prop sold for at auction!

A new dubstep intro theme drops this week as Will joins us to discuss the things that excited us at E3, the games that both Will and Jeremy have been working on, and Jeremy's ongoing quest for a new electric vehicle. Plus we review both Pixar's Luca and Lin Manuel Miranda's In The Heights!

In this episode from a parallel reality, branched off from the sacred timeline, Norm is joined by Bill Doran (Punished Props Academy) and Joel Telling (3D Printing Nerd) to catch up and geek out about 3D printing, producing their YouTube channels, and embracing different tools for making--and making videos. And we eventually get around to reviewing the first episode of Loki!