This week, Federico and John share some of their favorite utility apps, including Amphetamine, Text Lens, Gifski, Folder Peek, Mic Drop, Keka, and Marked.

Then, on AppStories+, Federico and John extend their conversation about utilities with six more favorites.

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AppStories Episode 430 - Return of the Utility Grab Bag

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30:37

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• Rogue Amoeba: makers of incredibly useful audio tools for your Mac. Use the code MS2504 through the end of April to get 20% off Rogue Amoeba’s apps.
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This week, Federico and John take listeners on a tour of the wide variety of automations they’ve been working on so far this year, including shortcuts, Claude projects, and Zapier zaps.

On AppStories+, Federico and John dig a little deeper into some of the more complex automations that they’ve been working on in 2025.

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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 Episode 429 - Pick 3: Automations

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39:42

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• BetterTouchTool – Get ready for BTT Mobile. Visit the BetterTouchTool community to learn more.
• Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

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In this special interview episode, Federico and John welcome Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman to discuss his 16-year journey covering Apple. Mark shares how he started as a teenage app developer before joining 9to5Mac and eventually Bloomberg. The conversation explores Mark’s most memorable scoops, the evolution of Apple news coverage, his relationship with Apple, and advice for aspiring tech journalists.

On AppStories+, Federico and John get into the weeds to explore the hardware and apps Mark Gurman uses and discuss Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator.

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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 Episode 428 - From Dashboard Widgets to Breaking News: Mark Gurman’s Path to Bloomberg

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46:54

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software
• Drafts – Where text starts. New and expired subscribers can use the link to get your first year of Drafts for $9.99.
• Tripsy – Your Travel Toolkit. Use the link for 25% off a lifetime purchase or 30% off a 1-Year subscription.

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This week, Federico and John explore a collection of Shortcuts helper utilities that extend functionality beyond the built-in system actions, sharing how these apps address gaps in Apple’s Shortcuts implementation across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

On AppStories+, John interviews Federico about his recent story that concludes web applications often provide superior experiences to native apps on iPad, examining how this trend reflects broader challenges in the iPad ecosystem.

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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 Episode 427 - Shortcuts Utility Apps Revisited

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32:26

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.

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This week, Federico and John share their self-imposed tech deadlines for the hardware and software they use.

On AppStories+, Federico and John follow up their tech deadlines with the hardware they expect to add to their setups in 2025.

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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 Episode 426 - Our Self-Imposed Tech Deadlines

0:00
35:24

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software

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This week, Federico and John examine the widening gap between consumer and enterprise apps, asking what happened to prosumer and small business app market.

On AppStories+, John doesn’t buy Apple’s explanation of why the iPhone 16e doesn’t have MagSafe and has an email-adjacent theory about task managers.

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AppStories Episode 425 - The Missing Middle

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32:14

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.

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This week, Federico and John make five app predictions for the next five years covering everything from App Intents and automation to the fate of the App Store.

On AppStories+, John talks through a very specific use case for Apple’s new iPhone 16e.

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AppStories Episode 424 - 5 for 5: Five Predictions, Five Years

0:00
29:35

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This episode is sponsored by:

• P – The water reminder and hydration app.

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AppStories Episode 423 - A Classic Pick 2: Hidden Gems

0:00
31:07

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John each pick two apps you may or may not have heard of or considered using and explain why you should give them a try.

On AppStories+, we extend our picks with several more apps we’ve been testing recently. Learn more at appstories.plus.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software
• Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.

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AppStories Episode 422 - Thoughts on Covering AI Our Way

0:00
35:55

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AppStories+ Deeper into the world of apps

This week, Federico and John say goodbye to the AppStories+ pre-show and hello to the new post-show. Then, for the main event, they update listeners on how MacStories plans to cover AI news and tools.

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