Best MacStories Podcasts (2025)

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Notion Daily Notes and AI Browsers 22:06

Play Pause

1h ago22:06

22:06

Links and Show Notes Notion Daily Notes Notion AI Browsers OpenAI Atlas Perplexity Comet Dia Deta Surf Microsoft Edge Strawberry Also mentioned Helium Vivaldi Picks No picks this week. We’ll have a couple for everyone next week. Unwind Deal Blair Witch Project is $4.99 in the TV app 20 Days Later is $7.99 in the TV app Leave Feedback for John and F…

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Budget Android Handhelds Rise as the Xbox Ally X Stumbles 35:18

1d ago35:18

35:18

This week, Steam Deck, Switch 2, and Vision Pro accessory follow up, Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs, Android handhelds break into the budget category, and the ROG Xbox Ally X is a bust. On NPC XL, Apple’s M5 chip promise gaming advances on the iPad, but can it deliver? NPC is also available on YouTube here. Subscribe to NPC XL on Patreon here. Links and Show …

1
Apple's Intelligence Quest: Beyond Smart Siri 36:30

5d ago36:30

36:30

This week, Federico and John discuss what might be next for Apple Intelligence and how it fits into the broader AI market. On AppStories+, Federico and John cover the fallout from the Sora app and why AI can’t replace human creativity. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early eve…

1
Dishwasher Dreams and Gritty Crime Scenes 16:39

6d ago16:39

16:39

This week, weekend outings and the chores we wish robots could do for us, plus Federico shares an anti-pick, and John is hooked on a gritty crime drama. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment Greenville, South Carolina Fall Festival Narwhal Freo X10 Pro robot mop and vaccuum Picks Federico’s Anti-Pick: The Residence …

1
Does the AYN Thor Have Handheld of the Year Potential? 45:15

9d ago45:15

45:15

The Latest Portable Gaming News Federico weighs in on the Xiaomi Pad Mini GameHub Lenovo Legion Go 2 Retro Game Corps review AYN Thor reviews and first impressions Joey’s Retro Handhelds review Retro Game Corps impressions video Using the Epilogue GB Operator with the Steam Deck Digital Foundry tests iPhone 17 Pro gaming Mini PCs leap forward GMKte…

1
What Else Do We Want from Apple in 2025? 31:07

12d ago31:07

31:07

This week, with rumors of more products in the pipeline, Federico and John share what they want most from Apple before the end of the year. On AppStories+, Federico experiments with lightning fast inference and iteration using Cerebras for scripting. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bi…

1
Unwinding Delayed But Not Denied 14:06

13d ago14:06

14:06

This week, John stumbles upon a restaurant with a thing for the Italian navy, Federico explores the Final Fantasy Tactics remake, and John has a movie pick. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Segment John visits Florence, which is decorated with the Picks Federico’s Pick: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Joh…

1
Anbernic DS and Nose-Bleed Windows Handheld Prices 45:24

16d ago45:24

45:24

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Making Sense of MCP: The Standard Connecting AI to Apps 38:12

19d ago38:12

38:12

This week, Federico and John demystify Model Context Protocol (MCP), covering how it works, where it’s heading, and practical examples of what it can do. On AppStories+, Federico and John experiment with whether AI can make sense of the information firehose. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a…

1
Nights, Weekends, and Holidays 21:11

20d ago21:11

21:11

This week, Federico tries to recover from a rough week, John brings some Southern cooking to the show, Federico has a long backlog of videogames to attend to, and John has an Apple TV+ show and an album to share. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Southern Cooking Pecan Pie Pimento Cheese Dip Fried Okra Picks Federico’s …

1
Budget or Power Play: AYANEO and GPD Move in Opposite Directions 36:54

23d ago36:54

36:54

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. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News AYANEO Pocket Air Mini …

1
AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air, and a Cable Quest 37:12

26d ago37:12

37:12

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. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStori…

1
Big Mike and the Extended Shower Lifestyle 15:32

27d ago15:32

15:32

This week, John visits Mike the shipping guy, Federico’s philosophy on hardware takes a turn, John declares Apple Watch charging in the shower a myth, and we share videogame and TV picks, plus a deal. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Unplugged Big Mike’s Shipping Shoppe Charging the Apple Watch While Showering Picks Federico’s P…

1
Virtual Boy's Cardboard Comeback 52:23

30d ago52:23

52:23

This week, gamers bring Xbox mode to the MSI Claw and other Windows handhelds, the DualSense controller gets multi-pairing, AYN shows off the Thor in action, and Nintendo gets even weirder with a Virtual Boy comeback, plus John reviews the Steam Deck Folio cover and the crew discusses the gaming updates to Apple’s Vision Pro. Also available on YouT…

1
Fall Hardware: First Impressions 30:47

1M ago30:47

30:47

This week, Federico and John shared their first impressions of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3. On AppStories+, Federico asks John about his plans to unwind now that his macOS review is out. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every …

1
The Aftermath of Review Season: Recovery and Reflection 20:18

1M ago20:18

20:18

This week Federico and John reflect on the toll of the review process and the annual recovery process before Federico follows up on a TV series and John recommends a pair of albums. Plus, we have a great Marvel movie bundle deal for listeners. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Aftermath of Review Season iOS and iPadOS 26: The…

1
Steam Emulation on Android Gets Real 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

This week, Brendon emerges from a Silksong fog, Genki settles a lawsuit and sends Federico accessories for the Switch, and Federico and John try emulating Windows on Android handhelds. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Switch 2 Genki Lawsuit Settlement Genki Attack Vector Genki Energy Pack…

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iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26: The MacStories Reviews 52:54

1M ago52:54

52:54

This week, Federico and John discuss their annual OS reviews. Federico digs into the details of iOS and iPadOS 26, while John considers what macOS 26 Tahoe means for users. On AppStories+, John updates listeners on what he bought after last week’s Apple event and why. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free…

1
Two Beady Eyes Staring At Me 20:00

1M ago20:00

20:00

This week, John explains the art of the Southern storytelling with an example, reminding Federico to touch grass before sharing a classic movie deal and previewing some of the perks coming next week with his iOS and iPadOS 26 review. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Two Beady Eyes Staring At Me Skunks Unwind Deal The Prestige fo…

1
New Handhelds, Old Problems: Legion Go 2 and Odin 3 Arrive 49:29

1M ago49:29

49:29

This week, Brendon and John examine the latest handheld announcements Lenovo and AYN that both come with impressive specs and some age-old frustrations. Plus, a new chip is coming to Anbernic’s lineup, and Brendon shares his first impressions of Dbrand’s Nintendo Switch 2 killswitch case. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Lat…

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Apple Event Vibe Check 41:40

2M ago41:40

41:40

This week, Federico and John do their annual pre-Apple event “vibe check,” discussing what they expect and hope to see at the upcoming September Apple event. They explore the rumored iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro 3, and debate the Apple Watch Ultra. Plus, they share thoughts on the prospect of an Apple TV with Apple Intelligence capabilities, HomeP…

1
Coyote Fall 19:08

2M ago19:08

19:08

This week, the weather has begun to change, coyotes are on the loose, and John shares his running tech. Plus Federico has a TV comedy for listeners, and John has a superhero movie pick. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes John’s Running Kit Apple Watch Ultra 1 Beats Fit Pro Picks Federico’s Pick: Hacks Stream on HBO Max Buy John’s …

1
Microsoft's Stepping Stone: Xbox Comes to the Ally X 48:13

2M ago48:13

48:13

Returning from summer break, the NPC crew discusses Microsoft and ASUS’s Xbox handheld announcement at Gamescom. They also cover the upcoming release of Silk Song, Nintendo Direct rumors, and growing concerns about Switch 2’s strategy, particularly the lack of third-party dev kits and exclusive titles. The episode closes with an exploration of wild…

1
Back From Break: Automation, AI, and IKEA 47:48

2M ago47:48

47:48

This week, AppStories returns with details on the projects Federico and John worked on during their breaks. On AppStories+, the importance of breaks and finding ways to unwind. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, v…

1
Sports Comedies and the Return of MacStories Deals 14:17

2M ago14:17

14:17

This week, John and Federico return from break to chat about how they spent their time off, the new MacStories Deals social accounts, two sports-related comedies, and a great deal on a favorite TV series. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Summer Break and MacStories Deals MacStories Deals returns after seven years Follow it on Ma…

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Nintendo Faces Tariffs, But Keeps Switch 2 Pricing Steady 34:11

2M ago34:11

34:11

This week, Brendon and John mind the show while Federico is on vacation, covering Nintendo’s pricing changes, the latest on Retroid’s second screen accessory, the TrinketOS Android front end, Manic EMU for iOS, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Wavelengths 2.0 A Podcast and a Patreon Swit…

1
Building a Better AI App 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

This week, Federico and John pick and choose their favorite AI app features to imagine a better AI app future, critiquing the leading LLM apps along the way. And, as a bonus, John explains why read-later apps should support Shortcuts and other automation schemes. On AppStories+, the critique continues with a look at how Todoist could be improved. S…

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Workout Buddies, Comedies, Videogame Podcasts, and Godzilla 21:48

3M ago21:48

21:48

This week, John is joined by Jonathan Reed to recap the watchOS 26 public beta, and share a trio of comedies old an new, along with Brendon Bigley’s new project and a classic monster movie deal. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes A watchOS 26 Preview watchOS 26 The MacStories Public Beta Preview Picks Jonathan’s Picks: The Naked G…

1
Brendon's Bad Fur Day 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

This week, Brendon KONKRs AYANEO’s two-day announcement-fest and is joined by John and Federico for diversions into 3DS repairs, the GPD Win 5, Gamescom, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News US Tariff Exemptions are Ending All of your international packages are about to get more expensive Th…

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The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

This week, Federico and John share their experiences with iPadOS and macOS 26, which are now available as part of Apple’s public beta program. On AppStories+, Federico and John discuss the state of engagement bait posting about Apple and how it’s affecting the discourse about the company and its products. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to s…