All 'AppStories+' Episodes

With AppStories+, fans of the show get a variety of exclusive perks that aren’t available to listeners of the free, ad-supported version.

Each episode of AppStories+ will include more of the show you love, with longer episodes that expand on weekly topics, explore additional apps we’re using, and cover of current app events and what’s happening at MacStories.

AppStories+ episodes are delivered ad-free a day earlier than the free version most weeks, allowing you to listen before everyone else or make sure you’re ready to start your week with the show. Also, AppStories+ is delivered at a higher, better-sounding bitrate than the free version of the show.


Building a Better AI App

This week, Federico and John pick and choose their favorite AI app features to imagine a better AI app future, critiquing the leading LLM apps along the way. And, as a bonus, John explains why read-later apps should support Shortcuts and other automation schemes.

On AppStories+, the critique continues with a look at how Todoist could be improved.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 449 - Building a Better AI App

0:00
36:27

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off

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The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas

This week, Federico and John share their experiences with iPadOS and macOS 26, which are now available as part of Apple’s public beta program.

On AppStories+, Federico and John discuss the state of engagement bait posting about Apple and how it’s affecting the discourse about the company and its products.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 448 - The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas

0:00
34:57

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

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Gaming Sidekicks: Videogame Companion Apps with Brendon Bigley

This week, John is joined by Brendon Bigley to explore the wide world of videogame companion apps from media trackers to game specific companion apps.

On AppStories+, John and Brendon dig into 16 years of App Store history to compile a list of games that have defined gaming on the iPhone.

Also available on YouTube here.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 447 - Gaming Sidekicks: Videogame Companion Apps with Brendon Bigley

0:00
43:13

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

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A Secondary Device Check-In

This week, Federico and John explain how they use their secondary systems, which for John is the iPad and for Federico, the Mac.

On AppStories+, Federico asks whether technologies like web-based MCP render Apple’s native App Intents irrelevant?

Also available on YouTube here.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 446 - A Secondary Device Check-In

0:00
28:13

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

Read more


Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing

This week, Federico and John share a grab bag of projects we’d like to see Apple pursue from software, to hardware and corporate acquisitions.

On AppStories+, Federico and John take their wish list further with a bunch of gadgets they’d like to see Apple make.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 445 - Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing

0:00
37:31

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Read more


Inside our Summertime Review Toolkits

This week, Federico and John reflect on their preparations for the fall review season, how dealing with design changes is different than new features, and explain some of the tools their using for research and writing this year.

On AppStories+, John answers the question “What if the Stream Deck was $20 and fit in the palm of your hand.”


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 444 - Inside our Summertime Review Toolkits

0:00
27:36

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

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Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More

This week, Federico records entirely on his iPad Pro using the new local capture feature in iPadOS 26. He and John discuss how this system feature changes remote podcasting, their experiences and experiments with macOS Tahoe and the new Spotlight, and why both have returned to Apple’s Reminders app—thanks in part to Apple Intelligence and AI automation workflows. Also covered this week: AirPods get better recording quality in the latest beta, MCP integrations with native apps, and early thoughts on Workout Buddy in watchOS 26.

On AppStories+, Federico explores Perplexity’s system-level integrations and publishes from Notes, while John explores a new Focus mode combination thanks to iOS 26.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 443 - Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More

0:00
29:30

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

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An iPad Pickle

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.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 442 - An iPad Pickle

0:00
29:14

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

Read more


A Behind the Scenes Peek at WWDC Week

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.


We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.


AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

AppStories Episode 441 - A Behind the Scenes Peek at WWDC Week

0:00
34:22

AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Read more