Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John interview Airbnb Vice President of Product Marketing, Jud Coplan, and Vice President of Design, Teo Connor.
On AppStories+, Federico explores running LLMs locally on an M3 Ultra Mac Studio.
This episode is sponsored by:
Inoreader – Boost Productivity and Gain Insights with AI-Powered Intelligence Tools
TRMNL – Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Federico and John round up the many new Switch 2 details that have emerged as launch day draws near. Plus, they share two new and interesting handheld rumors from Anbernic and Miyoo and more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Inoreader – Boost Productivity and Gain Insights with AI-Powered Intelligence Tools
On NPC XL, Federico shares tablet gaming recommendations with John, reevaluates whether he’s hung up on specs, and looks at what Lenovo is doing to integrate its tablets with two all-new controllers.
Last week, I was in LA for Airbnb’s 2025 Summer Release. As part of the day’s events, Federico and I interviewed Jud Coplan, Airbnb’s Vice President of Product Marketing, and Teo Connor, Airbnb’s Vice President of Design, for AppStories to talk about the new features and app the company launched. It was a great conversation that you can watch on YouTube:
or listen to the episode here:
Last week’s launch was a big one for Airbnb. The company debuted Services and reimagined and expanded Experiences. Services are the sort of things hotels and resorts offer that you used to give up when booking an Airbnb stay. Now, however, you can book a chef, personal trainer, hair stylist, manicurist, photographer, and more. Better yet, you don’t have to book a stay with an Airbnb host to take advantage of services. You can schedule services in your hometown or wherever you happen to be.
Experiences aren’t entirely new to Airbnb, but have been expanded and integrated into the Airbnb app in a way that’s similar to Services. Services allow you to get the most out of a trip from locals who know their cities best, whether that’s a cultural tour, dining experience, outdoor adventure, or something else.
Chef Grace explaining how to serve sadza.
While I was in LA, I prepared a meal alongside several other media folks from around the world. Our instructor was Chef Kuda Grace from Zimbabwe at Flavors from Afar. We made sadza with peanut butter and mustard greens and then sat down together to compare notes from the day’s events, tell stories about our dining experiences, and get to know each other better.
The evening was a lot of fun, but what struck me most about it was something we touched upon in this week’s episode of AppStories. The goal of Airbnb’s redesigned app is to get you to leave it and go out into the world to try new things. It reduces the friction and anxiety of taking the plunge into something new and emphasizes social interactions in the real world instead of on a screen. In 2025, that’s unusual for an app from a big company, and it was fascinating to talk to Teo and Jud about how they and their teams set out to accomplish that goal.
I like Airbnb’s redesigned app a lot. It’s playful, welcoming and easy to use. What remains to be seen is whether Airbnb can pull off what it’s set out to accomplish. It isn’t the first company to try to pair customers with local services and experiences. Nor is it Airbnb’s first attempt at experiences. However, the app is a solid foundation, and if my experience at dinner in LA was any indication, I suspect Airbnb may be onto something with Services and Experiences.
Disclosure: The trip to LA to conduct my half of this interview was paid for by Airbnb.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John interview Apple’s VP of Developer Relations, Education, and Enterprise, Susan Prescott, along with Amy Key and Omar Firdaus, Distinguished Swift Student Challenge Winners. Then, they also share their 2025 wishes for watchOS and tvOS.
This episode is sponsored by:
Play – Save and Organize Videos to Watch Later. New subscribers can use the code MACSTORIES2025for 50% off their first year of Play Premium.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Nintendo is back to its litigous ways, Backbone has a new controller, the Anbernic RG34XXSP is real, and not one but two ASUS Rog Ally 2s leak in FCC filings.
This week on NPC XL, I update listeners on my Xbox streaming tests and experience with Nintendo Virtual Game Cards before Federico and I discuss the sale of Polygon and what it means for online media.
Ruminate
Robb had a family Ruminate moment, I have some new buttons, and we both talk about some upcoming games.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I begin our annual look at what we’d like to see Apple announce at WWDC 2025, starting with iOS and iPadOS 19.
On AppStories+, which was released as a free sample for all listeners, I explain why the recent contempt order entered against Apple is a bigger deal than most people realize, on multiple levels.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week on NPC, Federico, Brendon, and I chart which handheld makers are still shipping to the U.S. in the wake of steep tariffs, then explore how speedrunners are stress‑testing Breath of the Wild at Nintendo’s Switch 2 hands‑on events. Plus, we update listeners on Nintendo’s release of version 20 of the original Switch’s firmware, how a contempt order against Apple could unlock new business models for developers, the surprising arrival of JIT on the App Store, Nothing’s launch of the CMF Phone 2 Pro, and how Anbernic and Ayaneo are defying economic uncertainty by releasing new handhelds.
This week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon and I explain how we find time for gaming, where they play, and how they balance work, family, and their videogame hobbies. Federico and Brendon wrap the episode up with some advice for me on improving my Xbox streaming setup.
Today we’re publishing the AppStories+ post-show for all AppStories listeners to enjoy for free.
This week’s subscriber-only post-show is all about the contempt order entered against Apple last week. In a world or tech litigation where Google and Meta are at risk of being broken up, the contempt order entered against Apple may seem inconsequential. However, the reality is much different.
In the post-show, I walk listeners through what this sort of high-stakes litigation is like and pinpoint the critical mistakes Apple made in complying with Judge Gonzalez Rodgers’ order. It’s a fascinating story of hubris, miscalculation, and the critical difference between assumptions and facts. It’s also a decision that will change the App Store in the U.S. and perhaps worldwide.
Today also marks the beginning of our annual OS wish list episodes of AppStories, which we kick off with our iOS and iPadOS 19 wishes. Each week until WWDC, Federico and I will be detailing what we’ll be looking for at Apple’s annual developer conference.
We hope AppStories listeners enjoy the extended bonus this week. As many readers and listeners are probably aware, the ad market for podcasts and websites is in an extended period of decline, and I don’t think it’s ever coming back to where it once was. As a result, we rely on listener support more than ever. AppStories has been around since 2017, and we want to continue producing the show long into the future.
AppStories+ is also available to Club Premier members. That’s the highest tier of a Club MacStories subscription that gets you everything the Club offers, including AppStories+. It’s the best deal of all if you want everything we do for Club MacStories members. You can learn more about Club Premier, which is $12/month or $120/year, here.
We work hard to make every episode of AppStories the best episode, but some are naturally better than others. This is one of the better ones. We hope you enjoy it.
Finally, thanks as always to everyone who supports what we do at MacStories, whether you subscribe to AppStories+, are a member of the Club, leave our shows a rating on Apple Podcasts, or recommend what we do to a friend. Every bit helps us continue to do what we love and try new things.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I tackle tracking apps. From database apps to media trackers, we consider what makes a good tracking app no matter what you’re tracking.
This episode is sponsored by:
WaterMinder – The Best Water Tracker App for Your Hydration Needs!
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, looming tariffs cause more handheld makers to pause shipments to the U.S., demand for the Switch 2 outstrips supply, I explain what the U.S. pre-order process was like, and we marvel at the restoration of a vintage Game Boy kiosk.
This week on NPC XL, Brendon shares his brief time with the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 and all three hosts compare videogame streaming notes from GeForce NOW on handhelds to Game Pass on an LG TV.
Ruminate
I have a hot headphone tip, then we discuss the Slate EV truck, and finally how we go about setting up new Macs.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I revisit the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence to describe how we use a variety of AI tools in our everyday workflows.
This episode is sponsored by:
Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Federico and I hold down the fort without Brendon, discussing U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders, Super Mario Kart World, upcoming hardware from Epilogue, Playdate’s Season 2, Razer Remote Play, and more.
NPC XL
This week on NPC XL, Federico and I flip out over the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, sharing their first 24-hours with the clamshell handheld.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I survey our favorite calendar apps, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week on NPC, the trio analyzes how tariffs have disrupted Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. Then Federico, Brendon, and I dissect new details that have emerged about the upcoming console, debate Nintendo’s game pricing, ponder what console exclusivity means in 2025, and share their excitement for the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.
NPC XL
In this episode of NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and I dig into the details of Nintendo’s newly announced Zelda Notes companion app for the Switch 2. Also this week, I weigh in on the Ayn Odin 2 Portal TPU Grip and we discover that Federico is a Collector not a Builder.
Ruminate
This week I try yet another Kettle chip flavor, Robb bought more mystery Pringles, I play Prince of Persia on all the platforms, Robb bought a pen, and they both discuss terminal 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.
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I share some of our favorite utility apps, including Amphetamine, Text Lens, Gifski, Folder Peek, Mic Drop, Keka, and Marked.
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.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Federico, Brendon and I dive into Nintendo’s reveal of the Switch 2, analyzing the technical specifications, Mouse Control, the camera accessory, the new Pro Controller, Game Share, Nintendo’s strategy shift, and more.
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.
NPC XL
On a special early-release epiaode of NPC XL, Brendon, Federico, and I go beyond the hardware to dig into the tech behind the games Nintendo announced alongside the Switch 2 and consider game compatibility, the debut of GameCube games as part of Nintendo Online, and more.
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