Podcast Rewind: Public Beta Thoughts and an AYANEO Extravaganza

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.

This episode is sponsored by:

Turbulence Forecast – Know before you go. Get detailed turbulence forecasts for your exact route, now available 5 days in advance. Learn more at turbulenceforecast.com.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon KONKRs AYANEO’s two-day announcement-fest and is joined by John and Federico for diversions into 3DS repairs, the GPD Win 5, Gamescom, and more.

On NPC XL, which was released last week, Brendon, John, and Federico talked about the recent Nintendo Direct and shared a Switch 2 accessory update.

AppStories, Episode 448, ‘The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas’ Show Notes

Apple’s iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas

Our Public Beta Previews

Thoughts on iPadOS 26 Hello, It’s Good to Be Back

macOS Tahoe The MacStories Public Beta Preview

Also Mentioned:

Federico on Mac Power Users

Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case for the 13” M4 iPad Pro

AppStories+ Post-Show

Federico and John discuss how social media has changed the way Apple and its products are covered by the media.

NPC, Episode 44, ‘Brendon’s Bad Fur Day’ Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

US Tariff Exemptions are Ending

All of your international packages are about to get more expensive The Verge

GPD Win 5

GPD WIN 5, the world’s first Ryzen AI MAX 395+ Strix Halo handheld, to debut on August 1

GPD’s monster Strix Halo handheld requires a battery ‘backpack’ or a 180W charger

Gamescom and Silksong

Xbox will let you play Silksong at Gamescom in August

Xbox handheld consoles ROG Ally and Ally X preorders open during Gamescom, report says

It’s AYANEO All the Way Down

AYANEO Announces World’s First Android-Based Flip Dualscreen Handheld

Retroid and ANBERNIC should be scared of this budget sub-brand

AYANEO Launches Konkr A New Lineup of “Budget” Handhelds

AYANEO is working on a gaming phone, mini-laptop, and a whole lot more

AYANEO Announce Three Android Devices (And A Controller)

Lego Game Boy

A New Game Boy is Coming and it’s…LEGO!

NPC XL

Video: Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 7.31.2025

The Verge’s Recap: Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase July 2025 all the news and trailers

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.

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, and NPC: Next Portable Console 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.