Podcast Rewind: Apple Project Wishcasting and a Thunderbolt 5 eGPU

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.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week on NPC, lots of follow-up about microSD Express cards, the Switch 2 Dock, XR glasses, and the dbrand Killswitch – plus, Retroid’s second screen accessory, Windows handhelds, a new eGPU, and more.

On NPC XL, John automates his Mac with the 8BitDo Micro, Brendon finally finds a Switch 2 Pro Controller, and Federico acquires a cozy PC controller.

AppStories, Episode 445, ‘Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing’ Show Notes

Two Random Hardware Recommendations

Federico:

iFi hip-dac3 - Portable Hi-Res DAC/Headphone Amp

John:

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station, 1800W

Things We’d Like to See Apple Do

Assigning Apple Some Big Ticket Projects

A Siri Chatbot

A Shortcuts Helper Bot

Apple Glasses

OS Dictation Tools

Rethinking iPadOS and macOS’s Relationship

Acquisitions Apple Should Make

What’s the Deal with Google Gemini?

AppStories+ Post-Show

Gadgets We’d Like to See Apple Make

New Displays

A MagSafe Battery

A Game Controller

Folding Phone

Soundbar

Also Mentioned:

Kuxiu K1 Pro 10,000 mAh (MagSafe and Batteries widget compatible)

NPC, Episode 41, ‘Joy-Lock™: Dbrand Trademarks Its Do-Over’ Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Follow-Up

Follow up on microSD Express cards

1TB microSD Express from Lexar briefly showed up on Amazon for $184 but sold out now - much less than we expected.

Meanwhile SanDisk’s 512GB card is showing August shipping dates on Amazon

Switch 2 Dock Follow up

Nintendo Switch 2 Travel Dock by CAD_is_my_Bane Download free STL model Printables.com

I tested every 3rd party Nintendo Switch 2 dock so you don’t have to - Mono

Confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 can work with existing docks and webcams after replacing their firmware The Verge

XR Glasses and the Switch 2

Hagibis 8K 60Hz USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Cable

PeakDo 4K HDMI To USB-C Adapter

dbrand Killswitch followup

dbrand has fixed their Switch 2 Joy-Con grips

Retroid 2nd Screen Accessory

Retroid Shows Off 3DS Emulation with Dual Screen Add-On

Retroid Dual Screen Add-on Demo - YouTube

Handheld News

Miyoo Mini Flip Announced

MSI Claw A8 with Ryzen Z2 Extreme tested performance rival for Lunar Lake - VideoCardz.com

Xbox ASUS ROG Ally / Ally X Prices Leaked - $700 / $1050

Thunderbolt 5 eGPU

ONEXGPU Lite eGPU with Thunderbolt 5 is on the way

An Epilogue Update

RetroAchievements and SNES later this year

From the epilogue community on Reddit

NPC XL Links and Show Notes:

John repurposes the 8BitDo Micro controller.

My Latest Mac Automation Tool is a Tiny Game Controller - MacStories

Why Med Students Love 8BitDo’s Micro Controller

Brendon finds a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller at Best Buy

Federico gets the Razer Wolverine v.3 Pro for his gaming PC

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.