Podcast Rewind: App Evolution, Odin 3 Emulation, Window Management, and TV Affiliates

AppStories

This week, Federico and John explore current changes to the world of apps through the lens of its past evolution.

On AppStories+, we build “money’s no object” holiday wish lists for ourselves.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John catch up on a grab bag of news before diving deeper into the Ayn Odin 3’s emulation and streaming potential, the possibility that the rumored TrimUI Smart Pro S could become the default budget recommendation for horizontal handhelds, and the 11” 3D Abxylute 3D One.

Then on NPC XL, John and Federico are tempted to build their own Steam Machines, while Brendon went ahead and did it already by converting his Windows Mini PC.

Comfort Zone

It’s the window management episode! Chris has even more iPad news, and AeroSpace nearly tears the gang apart.

This week’s Cozy Zone is an Apple accessory tier list, and dear listener, the knives come out.

MacStories Unwind

This week, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Federico is curious about American TV and has a TV pick, while John follows up on a couple of TV shows and other media he’s looking forward to in the coming weeks.

AppStories, Episode 462, ‘The Ever-Changing App Store’ Show Notes

The Evolving App Store

Some of our 2025 coverage about the changing app environment:

Apple Recreated the App Store on the Web with No Way to Download or Buy Apps

Apple Removes ICEBlock and Similar Apps From the App Store Under Pressure From the DOJ

EU Sets DMA Compliance Deadline in App Store Anti-Steering Dispute

Developers and Platforms React as App Store Rules Change in the U.S.

A Breach of Trust: Apple Held in Contempt Over App Store Rules

AppStories+ Post-Show

Our money-is-no-object holiday wish lists.

Subscribe to AppStories+

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NPC, Episode 58, ‘Living on the Emulation Edge with the Odin 3’ Show Notes

Follow-Up

GameHub and GameHub Lite

Anbernic RG DS

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Red Magic 11 Pro Plus PC GAMING TEST on r/EmulationOnAndroid

Odin 3 Impressions: Return of the King

TrimUI Smart Pro S Promises Better Performance and Faster Gameplay - Retro Handhelds (For pre-sale here)

Abxylute 3D One handheld PC launches on Kickstarter: Surface Pro-like gaming tablet displays games in true 3D

NPC XL

DIY Steam Machines

Couldn’t Wait for Valve’s 2026 Steam Machine… So I Built One!

I Built The Steam Machine

SteamOS has improved a lot in a few short months

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 77, ‘It’s Charlie Chapman’s Fault’ Show Notes

Main Topics

Chris’s video on the new multi-tasking

AeroSpace

Other Stuff We Talked About

Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive

Pastebot

Raycast

JankyBorders

SketchyBar

We actually love Charlie Chapman

Josean Martinez’s AeroSpace tutorial

Quinn Nelson’s video about the iPad’s limits

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, ‘Turkey Trots, TV Affiliates, and Holiday Watch Plans’ Show Notes

U.S. TV Affiliate System

Wikipedia

Picks

Federico’s Pick:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

John’s Follow-Up Picks and Upcoming Media Plans:

The Last Frontier and Loot - both on Apple TV

Stranger Things

Brooklyn Nine-Nine rewatch

Metroid Prime 4

Unwind Deal

Star Trek: The Next Generation Boxed Set

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.