Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John follow up after a week with new Apple hardware and dig into watchOS and visionOS 26.
On AppStories+, John is mixing up his link and data organization systems – again.
This episode is sponsored by:
Claude – Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, AYANEO introduces it’s most affordable handheld yet, but it’s not part of its budget line of devices. Plus, Qualcomm’s new chips pack a punch and the GDP Win 5 pack a punch, while Sony expands its Pulse line with desktop speakers.
This week on NPC XL, Federico’s disenchantment with the Sony PS5 kicks off a conversation about what’s been a very weird console generation.
First, Last, Everything
This week, Jonathan is joined by Esther Huybreghts. Esther is the Co-founder of the multi-award-winning app, PokPok. Since the app launched in 2021, it’s won an App Store award, an Apple Design award, and many other commendations. Pok Pok was also recently included on TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2025. Pok Pok is a really special app, and Esther talked about its inception, plans for the future, and staying strong against negative – and sometimes hateful – feedback.
AppStories, Episode 454, ‘AirPods Pro 3, iPhone Air, and a Cable Quest’ Show Notes
Hardware Update
AirPods Pro 3
iPhone Air
iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max: The First Three Days – MacStories
watchOS and visionOS 26
watchOS 26: The MacStories Review
Moving From the Apple Watch Ultra 1 to the 3
visionOS 26: The MacStories Review
UVSee
Portal: Remote Play
NPC, Episode 50, ‘Budget or Power Play: AYANEO and GPD Move in Opposite Directions’ Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
AYANEO Pocket Air Mini is an entry-level Android handheld that sells for under $100
Qualcomm’s New Chips
Qualcomm Debuts Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, Its Next-Gen Laptop Chips
Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Introducing Pulse Elevate – Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first wireless speakers for desktop gaming
GDP Win 5 Follow-Up
The Most Powerful Handheld Is Here! GPD Win 5 First Look – YouTube
The Most Powerful Handheld – GPD Win 5 – Quick Look – YouTube
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, Episode 4, ‘Esther Huybreghts’ Show Notes
Get 25% off Pok Pok: https://my.playpokpok.com/checkout?promocode=MACSTORIES25
Snowman Games
Alto’s Odyssey on the App Store and Apple Arcade
Pok Pok Official Site
Pok Pok on the App Store
Pok Pok — Calm Learning Videos for Kids on YouTube
Pok Pok wins an Apple Design Award in 2021
Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies 2025: Pok Pok
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Esther’s ‘First’ pick: FUJIFILM Digital Q1
Esther’s ‘Last’ pick: Kobo
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Esther’s‘ Everything’ pick: Apple iPad Pro on Wikipedia
‘Something’: Builder.ai – “How This A.I. Company Collapsed Amid Silicon Valley’s Biggest Boom” – The New York Times(Gift Article)
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.
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.