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Testing AirPods 4’s Beta Update and Improved Recording Quality for Voice Notes

Earlier today, I updated my AirPods 4’s firmware to the beta version, which Apple released yesterday. I was curious to play around with the software update for two reasons:

  1. AirPods are getting support for automatically pausing media playback when you fall asleep, and
  2. Apple is advertising improved “studio quality” recording on AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 with this update.

I’ll cut to the chase: while I haven’t been able to test sleep detection yet since I don’t take naps during the day, I think Apple delivered on its promise of improved voice recordings with AirPods.

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Podcast Rewind: Reconsidering the iPad and Reviewing Retro Videogame Stores

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John reflect on where the iPad fits within their workflows after the announcement of iPadOS 26.

Then, on AppStories+, they explore the potential for an Apple automation renaissance built on the features announced at WWDC.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, we have RG Slide pricing and penguins, along with new AYANEO news and a cool aluminum TrimUI Brick.

On NPC XL, Brendon’s on a mission to find the best retro videogame store in Japan and takes the rest of us with him.

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Podcast Rewind: A Challenging Challenge, a Couple of Crime Dramas, and a Haptic Trailer

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Comfort Zone

Chris is back in his element in the iPadOS 26 world, Matt just wants to play some games, and Niléane oversees the hardest challenge in ages.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Ecamm Live – Broadcast Better with Ecamm Live. Coupon code MACSTORIES gives 1 month free of Ecamm Live to new customers.

MacStories Unwind

This week, John installs macOS Tahoe, he and Federico each recommend a recent crime drama, and we have a Daredevil Unwind deal.

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon highlight the return of The Buccaneers, explore how haptics and other metadata could enhance media experiences on Apple’s platforms, and recap the first season of Your Friends & Neighbors.

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Podcast Rewind: The WWDC Whirlwind and a Delivery from UPS Japan

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John catch listeners up on their whirlwind WWDC week, which was chaotic in the best possible way.

On AppStories+, Federico and John get excited about what the WWDC announcements say about the direction of automation on Apple’s platforms.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week on NPC, Brendon shares his first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 after UPS Japan comes knocking, and all three hosts cover a chaotic week of handheld news – from the RG Slide to a surprise ASUS/Xbox handheld.

This week on NPC XL, Federico and John share their experiences traveling with the Nintendo Switch 2, and John explains how Apple’s upcoming Games app is more than just Game Center.

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Podcast Rewind: WWDC Announcement Details and Apple Original Film Echo Valley

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

For our second WWDC episode of AppStories, Federico and John dig into the details they’ve learned about what was announced by Apple this week at WWDC 2025.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Clic for Sonos – No lag. No hassle. Just Clic.
  • Elements – A truly modern, drag-and-drop website builder for macOS.

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon break down Apple’s tvOS and visionOS announcements from WWDC25, grade their predictions, and highlight Apple Original film Echo Valley.

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Podcast Rewind: Chatting with Apple Design Award Winners, Favorite WWDC Announcements, and Transatlantic Tea Talk

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

For their first WWDC 2025 AppStories episode, Federico and John interview finalists and winners of the Apple Design Award.

This episode is sponsored by:

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone does WWDC! Federico Viticci joins the show to talk about our favorite things revealed at Apple’s developer conference.

Ruminate

Snack news dropped just before recording, Robb’s been buying more notebooks, and John and Robb discuss videogame news.

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tvOS 26: The MacStories Overview

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

On Monday, Apple announced tvOS 26, the latest chapter in the platform’s nearly decade-long journey of bringing best-in-class experiences for TV shows, films, and apps to the living room – available this fall and currently in developer-only beta. In a first for the company, this year sees the debut of a new universal design language across all of Apple’s platforms simultaneously. Liquid Glass aims to make the transition from one device to another a seamless, almost indistinguishable user experience while placing greater emphasis on content in a way that’s both free of immersion-breaking distractions and perfectly suited to Apple TV.

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Compatible with Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and above, the new visionOS-inspired material design aims to achieve those lofty ambitions by cleverly simulating refractions and reflections to create the illusion of specular highlights within the different UI elements inside of tvOS 26, adding a subtle three-dimensionality to every control, button, and app icon border as each element adapts to its surroundings thanks to real-time, on-device rendering. Though the adoption of Liquid Glass has been executed with subtle and delicate delivery in most parts of the system, the glacial elements exhibited within Apple TV’s video player controls and Control Center elevate both otherwise unchanged OS elements to noteworthy showpieces while still keeping the focus first and foremost on what’s playing.

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WWDC 2025: Subsequent Discoveries

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

After the initial rush following a WWDC keynote, the next few days are typically spent mulling over new features and design changes. This is often a fruitful time for discovering modifications and additions that weren’t covered in the keynote. This year is no different, so I’ve collated a roundup of some of the most significant ones below.

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watchOS 26: The MacStories Overview

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Earlier today, Apple announced watchOS 26 and with it, a selection of updates and new features for the Apple Watch. Alongside all of Apple’s other platforms, watchOS will adopt the new Liquid Glass design language, albeit in a less significant way.

watchOS didn’t feature any Apple Intelligence features when it launched last year, and that continues to be the case, even though it is merely a technicality now. That’s because the new Workout Buddy feature, which you interact with from your Apple Watch, still requires an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone nearby. This is presumably a technical limitation that may be overcome in the future with a more advanced Apple Watch chipset.

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