Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
In this special interview episode, Federico and I welcome Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman to discuss his 16-year journey covering Apple. Mark shares how he started as a teenage app developer before joining 9to5Mac and eventually Bloomberg. The conversation explores Mark’s most memorable scoops, the evolution of Apple news coverage, his relationship with Apple, and advice for aspiring tech journalists.
This episode is sponsored by:
Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software
Drafts – Where text starts. New and expired subscribers can use the link to get your first year of Drafts for $9.99.
Tripsy – Your Travel Toolkit. Use the link for 25% off a lifetime purchase or 30% off a 1-Year subscription.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Brendon shares his surprising early impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal. Then Federico, Brendon and I dive into Nintendo Switch 2 pricing rumors, explore the performance issues of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on M4 Macs despite being Steam Deck verified, and break down Qualcomm’s confusing new G-series chips powering upcoming handhelds. Then, the trio reacts to OneXPlayer’s chaotic ONEXSUGAR handheld and AYANEO’s new devices. Plus, Federico has exciting news about a DLSS plugin for Steam Deck that improves performance on games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, turning blurry gameplay into a sharp, high-settings experience.
NPC XL
This week on NPC XL, Federico, Brandon and I share their most unusual handheld gaming devices. From my nostalgic Tamagotchi Connection to Brandon’s beast of a modded PSP Go and Federico’s Ashida Wii, the conversation reveals their weird obsessions with handheld gaming.
AppStories, Episode 428, ‘From Dashboard Widgets to Breaking News: Mark Gurman’s Path to Bloomberg’ Show Notes
Links and Show Notes
An Interview with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman
Dashcode
Mark Gurman’s writing at Bloomberg
Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter
Stories and topics covered:
The new iPhone…
Apple Car coverge
Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Indefinitely as AI Concerns Escalate
Apple Ready to Roll Out Slimmer iPhone 17 This Fall
On AppStories+,Federico and I get into the weeds to explore the hardware and apps Mark Gurman uses and discuss Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator.
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 25, ‘A Portal Surprise, ONEXSUGAR Chaos, and A Steam Deck Miracle’ Show Notes
Links and Show Notes
Follow Up
Federico attempted Portal mod
Brendon’s Portal First Impressions
Controller typing – signs of life for Windows handhelds
The Latest Portable Gaming News
Switch 2: analysts predict $400+ price and biggest console launch ever in June
Xenoblade Chronicles X hints at Switch 2 performance improvements
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Steam Deck verified
Qualcomm launches Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, G2 Gen 2, and G1 Gen 2 chips for gaming handhelds
Snapdragon Announcements
Next Generation Snapdragon G Series Portfolio Uplevels Handheld Gaming Experiences
Retroid Confirms Pocket Classic SoC and Teases a New Handheld
OneXSugar
The OneXSugar asks what if Nintendo Switch could transform into Nintendo DS
The Dual-Screen ONEXSUGAR Debuts at GDC 2025
3DS Emulator Azahar’s First Release Candidate Now Available
AYANEO
AYANEO Gaming Pad is an 8.3 inch gaming tablet with Snapdragon G3 Gen 3
AYANEO Reveals Pocket S2 and Gaming Pad – Retro Handhelds
Topics
Decky Framegen
Game compatibility list!
Credits
Show Art: Brendon Bigley
Music: Will LaPorte
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MacStories
Federico Viticci
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Brendon Bigley
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NPC XL, Our Weirdest Handhelds
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.
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.