Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John explain how they use their secondary systems, which for John is the iPad and for Federico, the Mac.
On AppStories+, Federico asks whether technologies like web-based MCP render Apple’s native App Intents irrelevant.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, John kicks off NPC with a return to 1998 before the crew digs into 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller, Thunderbolt 5 eGPU enclosures and docks, TrimUI’s ponderous Smart Pro Mini, and Federico and John’s first impressions of the MagicX Zero 40.
Then, Brendon, John, and Federico each bring a handheld they haven’t used in a while back to the show, and as you might expect, Federico’s choice is a bit of a surprise.
On NPC XL, Federico shows off the Lenovo G9 Gamepad.
AppStories, Episode 466, ‘A Secondary Device Check-In’ Show Notes
Switching Sides: A Secondary Device Check-In
John
11” iPad Pro
Federico
M3 Ultra Mac Studio and M4 Pro MacBook Pro
Relacon Handheld Trackball, Wireless USB
AppStories+ Post-Show
Longplay
Longplay for Mac Launches with Powerful AI and Shortcuts Integration
NPC, Episode 42, ‘Hello from 1998: Revisiting Past Handhelds’ Show Notes
John’s Game Boy Streaming Setup
Game Boy Camera cartridge
Epilogue GB Operator
OBS Studio using window capture, cropped
Zoom set to the OBS virtual camera
Follow-Up
The Latest Portable Gaming News
8BitDo Pro 3
Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad
The Pro 3 is 8BitDo’s first controller with swappable buttons
Amazon pre-orders
Thunderbolt 5 news
Razer Introduces Next-Generation Connectivity and Performance with New Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock and Core X V2 – Razer Newsroom
Razer Core X V2 – Thunderbolt™ 5 eGPU Razer United States
Razer Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock Chroma Razer United States
The TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks
TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks: Could This Be the Next Big Thing – Retro Handhelds
Revisiting Past Handhelds
John – New Nintendo 3DS XL
3DS LCD Screens TN vs IPS
IPS vs TN, should you hunt one or not (Very long post, possibly very boring too) r3DS
Brendon – Anbernic RG28XX
Anbernic RG28XX
Tip: Currently about $28 if you buy direct whereas Amazon charges close to $55.
Federico – Game Boy Macro
Game Boy Macro
Examples on Etsy
Four-button model with light bar
Aluminum, two-button model
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.
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, 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.