Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John talk about the state of AI aggregator apps and their future prospects before checking in on their current AI app setups for the AppStories+ post-show.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Federico, Brendon, and John consider the Steam Machine’s pricing and early reviews.

On NPC XL, Brendon fulfills a long-ago Switch 2 promise, surprising John and Federico.

Comfort Zone

Niléane invested in a fast-appreciating asset (air conditioner), CHRIS MADE AN APP, and everyone surprises everyone else with their favorite challenges.

On Cozy Zone, we tier list the biggest iPhone features over the year.

MacStories Unwind

This week on MacStories Unwind, Federico and John are burning up Claude Fable 5 tokens as fast as they can, while Federico finds the time to try a brand new Switch 2 game.

AppStories, Episode 491, ‘Are AI Aggregators Worth It?’ Show Notes

This episode is sponsored by:

• Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free.
• Claude: For problems worth solving — get started with Claude today.

AI Aggregator Apps

• The Pros and Cons of AI Aggregator Apps
• Apps Mentioned
  • Raycast
  • Bolt AI
  • Perplexity
  • Notion
  • Alter

Subscribe to AppStories+

Visit AppStories.net to learn more about the extended, high bitrate audio version of AppStories that is delivered early each week and subscribe.

NPC, Episode 86, ‘Did You Put Your Email in the Bucket?’ Show Notes

The Steam Machine

• Steam Machine launches today! (Steam Hardware announcement)
• Valve prices the Steam Machine at $1,049 (The Verge)
• Steam Machine officially priced at $1,049 and $1,349 as Valve describes brutal RAM supply crisis
• The Steam Machine is the most ambitious game console I’ve ever played (The Verge)
• Even Valve is Disappointed – Steam Machine Review (Linus Tech Tips)
• Steam Machine Review: Valve’s New Console/PC Hybrid (IGN)
• Steam Machine Review: Beautiful Hardware, But What About Performance… And Price? (Digital Foundry)
• Valve will finally let you build your own Steam Machine with SteamOS for desktop (The Verge)

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here.

Comfort Zone, Episode 107, ‘The Year of Our Lord, Zork’ Show Notes

Things Discussed

• Chris was in The Verge’s Installer
• Jet Lag The Game on Nebula and YouTube
• Midea PortaSplit
• Cotopaxi Allpa 28L
• Plexamp
• Snick

Cozy Zone

For even more from the Comfort Zone crew, you can subscribe to Cozy Zone. Cozy Zone is a weekly bonus episode of Comfort Zone where Matt, Niléane, and Chris invite listeners to join them in the Cozy Zone where they’ll cover extra topics, invent wilder challenges and games, and share all their great (and not so great) takes on tech. You can subscribe to Cozy Zone for $5 per month here or $50 per year here.

MacStories Unwind, ‘Burning Tokens Before the Clock Runs Out’ Show Notes

Fable 5

• Anthropic’s Fable 5 is only available on Claude subscription plans for one week, so Federico and John are making the most of the time by tuning up ongoing projects.
• Statement on the US government directive to suspend access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5
• Trump Administration Allows Anthropic to Release Mythos to Select US Organizations
• Redeploying Claude Fable 5

Picks

• Federico’s Pick: Rhythm Heaven Groove for Switch

Unwind Deal

• Sherlock from the BBC is just $24.99 in the TV app.

MacStories Unwind+

We deliver MacStories Unwind+ to Club MacStories subscribers ad-free with high bitrate audio every week. To learn more about the benefits of a Club MacStories subscription, visit our Plans page.

MacStories launched its first podcast in 2017 with AppStories. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a family of weekly shows that also includes MacStories Unwind, Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything that collectively, cover a broad range of the modern media world from Apple’s streaming service and videogame hardware to apps for a growing audience that appreciates our thoughtful, in-depth approach to media.

If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees.