Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, we draw from Federico’s experience creating the Apple Frames 4 shortcut and CLI to discuss the multiplier effect that AI agents can have in the hands of someone with deep domain expertise.
On AppStories+, we share our AI agent mishaps and horror stories along with additional details on a John’s ongoing HomeKit makeover project.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, TrimUI’s slow drip of details on the Brick Pro continues, shipping manifests suggest the Steam Controller may beat the Steam Machine to market, and OnePlus makes a strong bid for weirdest handheld announcement of 2026.
Then on NPC XL, Federico reports on his trip to Romics and the trading card takeover of Italian comic-cons, plus how not to sell a “pristine” Nintendo DS.
First, Last, Everything
Jonathan is joined by Nate Parrott, a designer and coder known for his work as a founding designer at The Browser Company, working on Arc. He also creates playful software and apps that blend utility with whimsy.
Comfort Zone
Chris and Matt are on their own this week and do a deeper dive into the MacBook Neo after a month using it. Do they still love it? Hate it? Probably somewhere in the middle, huh?
On Cozy Zone, the gang tier lists macOS default wallpapers, and you just know someone’s going to have some very wrong opinions.
MacStories Unwind
This week, John schools Federico on the differences between Eastern and Western North Carolina BBQ before they both share several TV show and album picks for the weekend.
AppStories, Episode 481, ‘Apple Frames 4 and the AI Multiplier’ Show Notes
This episode is sponsored by:
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Apple Frames 4 and the Multiplier Effect
AppStories+ Post-Show
Agent mishaps and horror stories
Subscribe to AppStories+
Visit AppStories.net to learn more about the extended, high bitrate audio version of AppStories that is delivered early each week and subscribe.
NPC, Episode 77, ‘Forty Thousand Steam Controllers’ Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
The TrimUI Brick Pro nears official release with packaging revealed.
ONEXPLAYER teases X2 Mini handheld with Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 8.8-inch OLED.
Shipping manifest leak suggests Steam Controller launch is imminent.
Lenovo teasing larger Legion Tab gaming tablet.
OnePlus reportedly developing an Android gaming handheld targeting FPS games with purple faux leather grips.
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.
First, Last, Everything, Season 2, Episode 6, ‘Nate Parrott – Developer, Designer’ Show Notes
This Episode’s Links
Arc browser
Ball app (Nate’s app)
Sous app (Nate’s app)
Feed (Nate’s app)
Flashlight (Nate’s app)
Easel (feature in Arc)
Arc Boosts (feature in Arc)
Dia browser
Blender
Dots iPhone game
HyperCard
Nate’s Picks
Nate’s ‘First’: Lego Studio Movie Maker
Nate’s ‘Last’: Claude in the Cloud
Nate’s ‘Everything’: Microworlds
‘Something’
Follow Nate
Website (The best!)
Mastodon
Bluesky
Comfort Zone, Episode 97, ‘Just Break the Laws of Physics’ Show Notes
Things Discussed
Adding thermal pads to the Neo
Formula Fanatics F1 desk calendar
Chris’s home screen
Matt’s home screen
Cozy Zone
For even more from the Comfort Zone crew, you can subscribe to Cozy Zone. Cozy Zone is a weekly bonus episode of Comfort Zone where Matt, Niléane, and Chris invite listeners to join them in the Cozy Zone where they’ll cover extra topics, invent wilder challenges and games, and share all their great (and not so great) takes on tech. You can subscribe to Cozy Zone for $5 per month here or $50 per year here.
MacStories Unwind, ‘Smoked Meats and Weekend Watches’ Show Notes
BBQ School
Eastern versus Western, NC BBQ
Lexington BBQ in Lexington, NC
Picks
John’s Picks:
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Nick Offerman at the show’s premiere
Federico’s Picks:
The Pitt, Season 1
Hacks, Season 5
Lose Your Self by Enter Shikari
Unwind Deal
A movie ahead of its time, Idiocracy is on sale in the TV app for $9.99.
MacStories Unwind+
We deliver MacStories Unwind+ to Club MacStories subscribers ad-free with high bitrate audio every week. To learn more about the benefits of a Club MacStories subscription, visit our Plans page.
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, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything 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.