Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and I take listeners on a tour of the wide variety of automations they’ve been working on so far this year, including shortcuts, Claude projects, and Zapier zaps.
This episode is sponsored by:
BetterTouchTool – Get ready for BTT Mobile. Visit the BetterTouchTool community to learn more.
Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Brendon, Federico and I analyze the latest Nintendo Direct and what it reveals about the Switch 2’s rumored June launch. Then, we dissect the many questions that Nintendo’s upcoming Virtual Game Cards system raises, explores the features of the Nintendo Today app, and debate the reported three-phase launch strategy for the next console. In the latest handheld news, we also cover an EmuDeck update, AYA NEO’s confounding mini PC, and an intriguing foldable from Huawei that’s perfect for DS emulation.
NPC XL
This week, Brendon and I share our first impressions of the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller 2, Brendon has additional thoughts about the Ayn Odin 2 Portal as a streaming device and details his living room docking setup, and I take the Mechanism gaming pillow plunge.
Ruminate
Robb brings a huge bag of snacks while I considers signature drinks, then we discus a gaming and stationery collab, followed by some Switch 2 hopes and dreams.
AppStories, Episode 429, ‘Pick 3: Automations’ Show Notes
Pick 3: Our Latest Automations
Federico’s Audio Transcription Automation
Xaiomi Buds 5 and 5 Pro
Hazel
Aiko
AI Actions
John’s Fetch Podcast Details Shortcut
Zapier
Todoist
PastePal
ChatGPT
Federico on Using AI Actions with Newer AI Models
AI Actions
Ask Claude using AI Actions app
Unread’s Shortcuts Integration
Readwise Reader
Todoist
Federico’s Use of a Simple API for Transcribing of YouTube Videos
YouTubeTranscript.io
John’s Podcast Clips Claude Project
Also mentioned
Stecker
Lingon X
AppStories+ Post-Show
On AppStories+, Federico and I dig a little deeper into some of the more complex automations that we’ve been working on in 2025.
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 26, ‘Bridging to Switch 2: Rumors, Virtual Game Card Questions, and Nintendo’s Today App’ Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
EmuDeck 2.4 launches, with support for new emulators, improved BIOS checkers and more
Update AYANEO AM01S mini PC has a retro design, a 4 inch flip-up display, and AMD Strix Point inside
Huawei Pura X
Huawei Pura X launched, a foldable phone with 1610 widescreen
Huawei’s new flip phone is weirdly wide
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Launch Plans
Insider Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 expected June 2025, launch to have 3-phase plan
Nintendo’s “3-Phase Launch Plan” for Switch 2 – Wavelengths
Also, Best Buy says preorders for Switch 2 open on April 2nd
Nintendo’s March 27, 2025 Direct
NPC XL, ‘Controllers, Docks, and Gaming Pillows: A Handheld Hardware Roundup’
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.
Ruminate, Episode 204, ‘Fanta Scientists’ Show Notes
New Fanta Flavor! Tutti Fruitti Is Coming to the U.K. | Sporked
Koikeya Kara Mucho Hot Chilli Flavour Ridge Cut Potato Crisps | Oriental Mart
Doritos Bits Honey BBQ 30g
Cream Cheese & Chive Chips – Carolina Kettle – Made in NC, LLC
‘Coke and beer – in one glass, please’: my gut-churning search for a signature drink
The Pen Addict #657: Are You Coming For Me? – Relay
I Am Obsessed With this Tomb Raider Pen • Robb Knight
Nintendo Direct
What are Nintendo virtual game cards?
Portal Kombat
Hack Pompey
Ships Whistle
NPC: Next Portable Console and NPC XL – MacStories
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.