Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:
AppStories
This week, Federico and John explore current changes to the world of apps through the lens of its past evolution.
On AppStories+, we build “money’s no object” holiday wish lists for ourselves.
NPC: Next Portable Console
This week, Brendon, Federico, and John catch up on a grab bag of news before diving deeper into the Ayn Odin 3’s emulation and streaming potential, the possibility that the rumored TrimUI Smart Pro S could become the default budget recommendation for horizontal handhelds, and the 11” 3D Abxylute 3D One.
Then on NPC XL, John and Federico are tempted to build their own Steam Machines, while Brendon went ahead and did it already by converting his Windows Mini PC.
Comfort Zone
It’s the window management episode! Chris has even more iPad news, and AeroSpace nearly tears the gang apart.
This week’s Cozy Zone is an Apple accessory tier list, and dear listener, the knives come out.
MacStories Unwind
This week, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Federico is curious about American TV and has a TV pick, while John follows up on a couple of TV shows and other media he’s looking forward to in the coming weeks.
AppStories, Episode 462, ‘The Ever-Changing App Store’ Show Notes
The Evolving App Store
Some of our 2025 coverage about the changing app environment:
Apple Recreated the App Store on the Web with No Way to Download or Buy Apps
Apple Removes ICEBlock and Similar Apps From the App Store Under Pressure From the DOJ
EU Sets DMA Compliance Deadline in App Store Anti-Steering Dispute
Developers and Platforms React as App Store Rules Change in the U.S.
A Breach of Trust: Apple Held in Contempt Over App Store Rules
AppStories+ Post-Show
Our money-is-no-object holiday wish lists.
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 58, ‘Living on the Emulation Edge with the Odin 3’ Show Notes
Follow-Up
GameHub and GameHub Lite
Anbernic RG DS
The Latest Portable Gaming News
Red Magic 11 Pro Plus PC GAMING TEST on r/EmulationOnAndroid
Odin 3 Impressions: Return of the King
TrimUI Smart Pro S Promises Better Performance and Faster Gameplay – Retro Handhelds (For pre-sale here)
Abxylute 3D One handheld PC launches on Kickstarter: Surface Pro-like gaming tablet displays games in true 3D
NPC XL
DIY Steam Machines
Couldn’t Wait for Valve’s 2026 Steam Machine… So I Built One!
I Built The Steam Machine
SteamOS has improved a lot in a few short months
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.
Comfort Zone, Episode 77, ‘It’s Charlie Chapman’s Fault’ Show Notes
Main Topics
Chris’s video on the new multi-tasking
AeroSpace
Other Stuff We Talked About
Sandisk Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive
Pastebot
Raycast
JankyBorders
SketchyBar
We actually love Charlie Chapman
Josean Martinez’s AeroSpace tutorial
Quinn Nelson’s video about the iPad’s limits
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, ‘Turkey Trots, TV Affiliates, and Holiday Watch Plans’ Show Notes
U.S. TV Affiliate System
Picks
Federico’s Pick:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
John’s Follow-Up Picks and Upcoming Media Plans:
The Last Frontier and Loot – both on Apple TV
Stranger Things
Brooklyn Nine-Nine rewatch
Metroid Prime 4
Unwind Deal
Star Trek: The Next Generation Boxed Set
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.