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.
AppStories, Episode 434, ‘iOS and iPadOS 19 Wish Lists’ Show Notes
Links and Show Notes
Claude Follow-Up
Federico explains his approach to LLMs and private data and he and John talk about adapting Claude projects to Gemini Gems and ChatGPT Projects, as well as where NotebookLM fits in.
More on NotebookLM: Examining Where AI Fits Into Research
Our 2025 iOS and iPadOS WWDC Wishes
A Social Media Conclave
Listener Feedback About Claude
Our iOS and iPadOS 19 Wishes
iOS Multitasking
A Clipboard Manager
An Always-Available Dock
Launcher Utilities with System Level Access
Omnipresent Spotlight Search
Siri as a Chatbot
A Better Multitasking System on iPadOS
More Control Center Flexibility
Shortcuts Vibe Coding
A Better Files App
Journal App on iPad
Any Sign of Life from Apple Intelligence
More Love for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPad
Bridging the Gap of Shortcuts on the Mac and iPad and a Terminal App on the iPad
Redesign the iPhone Tab Bar
Related: Contabulation
More Theme-able UI
AppStories+ Post-Show
A Breach of Trust Apple Held in Contempt Over App Store Rules
Developers and Platforms React as App Store Rules Change in the U.S. – MacStories
On AppStories+, I explain why the recent contempt order entered against Apple is a bigger deal than most people realize, on multiple levels.
We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.
To learn more about the benefits included with an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.
NPC, Episode 31, ‘Anbernic and Ayaneo Keep Launching and a JIT Twist on iOS’ Show Notes
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
Tariffs: Good News and Bad
Retroid Updates Shipping Policy for U.S. Customers
Powkiddy stopping U.S. shipments
8BitDo suspends US shipments from Chinese warehouse due to tariffs
Switch 2 News
Speedrunner Beats The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Switch 2 Edition At Preview Event
Switch update 20.0.0 adds Virtual Game Cards, GameShare, Switch 2 transfer
iOS Gaming
StikDebug brings JIT to the iPhone
JIT enabler lands on App Store, likely unlocking Wii and Switch emulation on iOS
An ‘official’ Flappy Bird game is back, but it has nothing to do with the original creator.
Handhelds
Anbernic RG34XX SP May Drop Next Month
AYANEO Pocket ACE hits Indiegogo (retro handheld with a 4.5 inch display and Snapdragon G3x Gen 2)
Other hardware
Nothing’s CMF Phone 2 Pro is an affordable phone with a unique modular ecosystem
Topics
A Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Update
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: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
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, Ruminate, Comfort Zone, and NPC: Next Portable Console 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.
If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees.
Access Extra Content and Perks
Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade.
What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan.
Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more;
Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts;
Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio.