Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John look at their experiences with Claude Fable 5 and how it differs from other models and break down the controversial changes made by OpenAI to its ChatGPT Mac app.
Then on AppStories+, John and Federico contrast their experiences with Fable 5 and OpenAI’s new family of GPT 5.6 models.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Brendon and John go it alone with more bizarre news from AYANEO, a new tease and OS update from Anbernic, Valve’s e-ink Steam Machine faceplate, Armada bringing SteamOS to Android handhelds, and more.
On NPC XL, John and Brendon check on handheld gaming halfway through the year and look forward to what the rest of 2026 may have in store for the hobby.
Comfort Zone
Matt has been doing tons with Quick Reads, Chris has all the small things, and everyone creates Shortcuts WITH THEIR VOICE.
This week’s Cozy Zone sees the boys competing in Niléane’s Great Star Wars Quotes Quiz, and it goes… let’s just say “good and bad.”
MacStories Unwind
MacStories Unwind is delayed this week but will be out soon.
AppStories, Episode 493, ‘Fable 5 and OpenAI’s Curious ChatGPT Update’ Show Notes
This episode is sponsored by:
- Daylite: The only made-for-mac CRM solution. Start your free trial today.
App State
Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5
What did OpenAI Do to ChatGPT?
- The New ChatGPT
- The ChatGPT “Super App” Sort of Super Sucks
- AppStories, Episode 483: Codex as a Productivity Super App
AppStories+ Post-Show
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 88, ‘SteamOS Comes to Android Handhelds’ Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
- AYANEO teases a GBA
- AYANEO CEO livestream teases second-half 2025 lineup but offers little new information
- Valve open-sources Steam Machine “Inkterface” e-ink faceplate for DIY builds
- Anbernic pushes major “RG Ecosystem” software update to entire T820 handheld lineup
- Anbernic RG 55G1 gameplay video hints at Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 with Turnip drivers and possible OLED
- EmuDeck for Android adds Rift Frontend launcher and gains Armada/SteamOS compatibility
- Armada
- TrimUI Brick Hammer Pro U Might Be Dead Before It Even Ships
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 109, ‘You Can’t Kill Chrome’ Show Notes
Things Discussed
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 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.
