Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, John is joined by Brendon Bigley to explore the wide world of videogame companion apps from media trackers to game-specific companion apps.

On AppStories+, John and Brendon dig into 16 years of App Store history to compile a list of games that have defined gaming on the iPhone.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon and John cover the ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 dual-screen handheld, Sony’s power-saving and controller updates, and the latest ES-DE update for Android. Then, John reports back on the MagicX Zero 40 homework that Brendon gave him last week.

On NPC XL, Brendon and John revisit two handhelds from the past year. Brendon explains why he loves the Ayn Odin 2 Mini even more than ever, and John rediscovers the AYANEO Pocket Micro in all of its overpowered glory.

Read more

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John explain how they use their secondary systems, which for John is the iPad and for Federico, the Mac.

On AppStories+, Federico asks whether technologies like web-based MCP render Apple’s native App Intents irrelevant.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, John kicks off NPC with a return to 1998 before the crew digs into 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller, Thunderbolt 5 eGPU enclosures and docks, TrimUI’s ponderous Smart Pro Mini, and Federico and John’s first impressions of the MagicX Zero 40.

Then, Brendon, John, and Federico each bring a handheld they haven’t used in a while back to the show, and as you might expect, Federico’s choice is a bit of a surprise.

On NPC XL, Federico shows off the Lenovo G9 Gamepad.

Read more

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

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.

Read more

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and John reflect on their preparations for the fall review season, how dealing with design changes is different from new features, and some of the tools they’re using for research and writing this year.

On AppStories+, John answers the question, “What if the Stream Deck was $20 and fit in the palm of your hand?”

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Federico, John, and Brendon cover REDMAGIC’s Android tablet, rumors of an Ayn Odin 3, and other news before digging into the mysteries surrounding Nintendo’s Switch 2 dock.

On NPC XL, Federico solves a Switch 2 dock problem with the help of fairies, and Brendon acquires a bucket list handheld.

Read more

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico records entirely on his iPad Pro using the new local capture feature in iPadOS 26. He and John discuss how this system feature changes remote podcasting, their experiences and experiments with macOS Tahoe and the new Spotlight, and why both have returned to Apple’s Reminders app – thanks in part to Apple Intelligence and AI automation workflows. Also covered this week: AirPods get better recording quality in the latest beta, MCP integrations with native apps, and early thoughts on Workout Buddy in watchOS 26.

On AppStories+, Federico explores Perplexity’s system-level integrations and publishes from Notes, while John explores a new Focus mode combination thanks to iOS 26.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, John and Brendon cover Hori webcam woes, a creative new Game Boy Camera app for iOS, and dbrand’s Killswitch case troubles for the Switch 2. They also dig into the ambitious but flawed MagicX DS-style handheld, Brendon’s ongoing Tokyo Pro Controller hunt, and more.

On NPC XL, John wishes he’d tried NextUI for the TrimUI Brick sooner, Brendon reports from Tokyo on what everyone’s playing on the subway, and Federico finally solves the puzzle of unifying his work and gaming into one seamless desk setup.

Read more