Podcast Rewind: watchOS and tvOS Wishes, Swift Student Challenge Interviews, the Ultimate iOS Controller, and Stream Deck Alternatives

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.

AppStories, Episode 435, ‘The Swift Student Challenge Interviews and watchOS and tvOS Wishes’ Show Notes

Links and Show Notes

Swift Student Challenge Interview

This week, Federico and John interviewed Apple VP of Developer Relations, Education, and Enterprise, Susan Prescott along with Distinguished Swift Student Challenge Winners Amy Key and Omar Firhaus.

Our 2025 watchOS Wishes

Federico shares wishes based on his use of a wearOS watch, and John hopes for faster connections, file transfers, and smarter workout tracking.

Our 2025 tvOS Wishes

Federico wants to customize the Siri Remote’s TV button, John wants new ways to manage the apps on his Apple TV, and more.

AppStories+ Post-Show

John asks Federico for his thoughts on art, culture, and creativity in an age of AI.

In the age of AI, we must protect human creativity as a natural resource

NPC, Episode 32, ‘Nintendo Sues Genki, ROG Ally 2 Leaks, and Backbone Pro Debuts’ Show Notes

Brendon spots an NPC parking lot.

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Nintendo

Nintendo began working on Switch 2 shortly after the release of Switch 1, new Genki lawsuit papers reveal

Covers lawsuit and Genki’s response

Nintendo expects the Switch 2 to be just as successful as the original

Seems like this is low-balled

The Louvre will stop renting out Nintendo 3DS audio guides in September

Anbernic RG34XXSP Announced https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg34xxsp-announced/

Anbernic RG34XXSP Video

iOS Gaming

Backbone Pro adds Bluetooth and battery, turning the top iPhone gamepad into a universal controller

The new Backbone Pro could be the one controller for all your gaming

ASUS ROG Ally 2 Leaks

ASUS ROG Ally 2 gaming handhelds leaked up to AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme

Ruminate, Episode 209, ‘Not a Pushy Knob’ Show Notes

Pepsi launches Strawberries ‘N’ Cream and Cream Soda flavours

MX Creative Console

HANDS ON THPS3+4!! THPS3 Career Gameplay: Foundry, Canada, Rio, Suburbia, Los Angeles

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

XBPlay Remote Play for Xbox