Podcast Rewind: From AirPods Pro 3 to AYANEO’s Budget Handheld and Pok Pok’s Backstory

This week, Federico and John follow up after a week with new Apple hardware and dig into watchOS and visionOS 26.

On AppStories+, John is mixing up his link and data organization systems - again.

This episode is sponsored by:

Claude – Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, AYANEO introduces it’s most affordable handheld yet, but it’s not part of its budget line of devices. Plus, Qualcomm’s new chips pack a punch and the GDP Win 5 pack a punch, while Sony expands its Pulse line with desktop speakers.

This week on NPC XL, Federico’s disenchantment with the Sony PS5 kicks off a conversation about what’s been a very weird console generation.

First, Last, Everything

This week, Jonathan is joined by Esther Huybreghts. Esther is the Co-founder of the multi-award-winning app, PokPok. Since the app launched in 2021, it’s won an App Store award, an Apple Design award, and many other commendations. Pok Pok was also recently included on TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2025. Pok Pok is a really special app, and Esther talked about its inception, plans for the future, and staying strong against negative – and sometimes hateful – feedback.

AppStories, Episode 454, ‘AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air, and a Cable Quest’ Show Notes

Hardware Update

AirPods Pro 3

iPhone Air

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max: The First Three Days - MacStories

watchOS and visionOS 26

watchOS 26: The MacStories Review

Moving From the Apple Watch Ultra 1 to the 3

visionOS 26: The MacStories Review

UVSee

Portal: Remote Play

NPC, Episode 50, ‘Budget or Power Play: AYANEO and GPD Move in Opposite Directions’ Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

AYANEO Pocket Air Mini is an entry-level Android handheld that sells for under $100

Qualcomm’s New Chips

Qualcomm Debuts Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, Its Next-Gen Laptop Chips

Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Introducing Pulse Elevate – Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first wireless speakers for desktop gaming

GDP Win 5 Follow-Up

The Most Powerful Handheld Is Here! GPD Win 5 First Look - YouTube

The Most Powerful Handheld - GPD Win 5 - Quick Look - YouTube

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.

First, Last Everything, Episode 4, ‘Esther Huybreghts’ Show Notes

Get 25% off Pok Pok: https://my.playpokpok.com/checkout?promocode=MACSTORIES25

Snowman Games
Alto’s Odyssey on the App Store and Apple Arcade

Pok Pok Official Site
Pok Pok on the App Store
Pok Pok — Calm Learning Videos for Kids on YouTube
Pok Pok wins an Apple Design Award in 2021

Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies 2025: Pok Pok

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Esther’s ‘First’ pick: FUJIFILM Digital Q1

Esther’s ‘Last’ pick: Kobo
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Esther’s‘ Everything’ pick: Apple iPad Pro on Wikipedia

‘Something’: Builder.ai - “How This A.I. Company Collapsed Amid Silicon Valley’s Biggest Boom” - The New York Times(Gift Article)

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, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything 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.