Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
Comfort Zone
Matt’s phone is folding more than usual, Niléane has blown up her window management system again, and the whole gang learns about themselves in the challenge.
MacStories Unwind
This week, Federico quizzes John about Airbnb’s media event and how it compares to an Apple event, and John shares a superhero TV show and TV deal.
Magic Rays of Light
Sigmund and Devon highlight the premiere of sci-fi series Murderbot, discuss the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on international film productions, and catch up on tons of Apple Original trailers.
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:
Comfort Zone
The gang gets to work defending their Mac login items. Who has the most minimal startup? Who has the craziest apps? This episode has more new apps mentioned in any episode of Comfort Zone ever!
MacStories Unwind
This week, find out if we successfully podcasted our way to a new Pope. Learn just how poorly AI can spell Voorhees and Viticci. And, enjoy an audiobook pick, thoughts on Friends, and a Marvel movie bundle deal.
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:
Comfort Zone
Chris achieves a new level of focus on the Mac with a familiar app, Matt finds comfort for his sore fingers, and Niléane leads the hardest challenge ever put forth on the show.
MacStories Unwind
This week, Federico and I compare wildlife notes, I get set up to work outdoors, Federico has an album to share, and I recommend a movie about ancient Rome.
This episode is sponsored by:
Textastic – The Powerful Code Editor for iPad and iPhone — Now Free to Try
Magic Rays of Light
Sigmund and Devon highlight the premiere of French-language Apple Original series Carême, discuss the Apple Watch’s tenth anniversary and how the device plays into their TV-viewing, and recap Dope Thief.
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:
Comfort Zone
Matt finally found a new use for the action button, Niléane is here to fix your Finder, and Chris raises the bar in the challenge in a way no one saw coming.
MacStories Unwind
This week, Federico gets silly with the Vision Pro, and John learns about crypto – typical Unwind stuff.
Magic Rays of Light
Sigmund and Devon share their hopes for the next Siri Remote and recap Apple Original medical drama Berlin ER.
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.
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