Posts tagged with "NPC"

Podcast Rewind: From AirPods Pro 3 to AYANEO’s Budget Handheld and Pok Pok’s Backstory

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.

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Podcast Rewind: New Hardware Impressions, the Return of the Virtual Boy, and an Interview with Futurama Co-Developer David X. Cohen

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AppStories

This week, Federico and John shared their first impressions of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3.

On AppStories+, Federico asks John about his plans to unwind now that his macOS review is out.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Things – A fresh new look for OS 26

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, gamers bring Xbox mode to the MSI Claw and other Windows handhelds, the DualSense controller gets multi-pairing, AYN shows off the Thor in action, and Nintendo gets even weirder with a Virtual Boy comeback, plus John reviews the Steam Deck Folio cover and the crew discusses the gaming updates to Apple’s Vision Pro.

This week on NPC XL, John gives Federico and Brendon a choice between three, and eventually four, gaming setups as a way of exploring where their handheld gaming priorities lie.

First, Last, Everything

This time, it’s the Emmy-award-winning writer David X. Cohen. David started writing on Beavis and Butthead in the early ‘90s before joining The Simpsons, where he was responsible for many well-known episodes like Lisa the Vegetarian, The Itchy and Scratchy and Poochie Show, and Homer3. Then, in 1999, with Simpsons creator Matt Groening, David co-developed Futurama, which recently dropped its 13th season on Hulu and Disney+.

But David’s history is not just in television. He worked in the robotics lab while attending Harvard, studied theoretical computer science, and has a deep history with technology all the way back to the early days of home computers. As you can expect, there was a lot for us to talk about.

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Podcast Rewind: OS Reviews Are Here, Emulating Windows on Android, and an Interview with Michael Flarup

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AppStories

This week, Federico and John discuss their annual OS reviews. Federico digs into the details of iOS and iPadOS 26, while John considers what macOS 26 Tahoe means for users.

On AppStories+, John updates listeners on what he bought after last week’s Apple event and why.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Widgetsmith: Make your phone your own with custom widgets and wallpapers. Ready for Liquid Glass in iOS 26. Use our link for a free month of Widgetsmith Premium.
  • Steamclock: We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon emerges from a Silksong fog, Genki settles a lawsuit and sends Federico accessories for the Switch, and Federico and John try emulating Windows on Android handhelds.

This week on NPC XL, Federico rebrands with a new bleeding edge project: emulating Windows on Android.

First, Last, Everything

This time, we’re talking with Michael Flarup. Michael is many things: the head of a game studio, a speaker at Adobe Max, an author, and more. But most of all, Michael is a designer. He’s most well-known for his decades of work as an icon designer on some of the most beloved apps on iOS and macOS under his Pixel Resort banner. He’s released two books on the history of the art form: first around iOS, then focusing on macOS. Now, he runs a game studio, Northplay, where they’re hard at work on their next game, Dinolords!

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Podcast Rewind: A Pre-Event Vibe Check, New Handhelds, and an All-New Interview Show

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AppStories

This week, Federico and John do their annual pre-Apple event “vibe check,” discussing what they expect and hope to see at the upcoming September Apple event. They explore the rumored iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro 3, and debate the Apple Watch Ultra. Plus, they share thoughts on the prospect of a Apple TV with Apple Intelligence capabilities, HomePods, and updates to AirTags.

On AppStories+, John and Federico explore the divisiveness surrounding the Liquid Glass update coming to macOS Tahoe.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Claude – Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code.
  • Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon and John examine the latest handheld announcements from Lenovo and AYN that both come with impressive specs and some age-old frustrations. Plus, a new chip is coming to Anbernic’s lineup, and Brendon shares his first impressions of Dbrand’s Nintendo Switch 2 killswitch case.

On NPC XL, Brendon and John tackle the handheld collector’s dilemma as both hosts find themselves swimming in too many devices. They discuss strategies for decluttering their collections, from Brendon’s “three device rule” to the challenges of finding good homes for beloved handhelds.

First, Last, Everything

In this premiere episode, YouTuber Tom Hitchins, aka Byte Review, discusses his creative life that led to the creation of one of the most aesthetically pleasing tech channels on the site. From teaching Photoshop at a college to a lifelong love of Nintendo and Japanese design and entertainment, Tom’s passion for technology touches every aspect of his life.

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Podcast Rewind: Summer Break Projects and the ROG Xbox Ally

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AppStories

This week, AppStories returns with details on the projects Federico and John worked on during their breaks.

On AppStories+, the importance of breaks and finding ways to unwind.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Steamclock – We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details.
  • Xsolla – 🚀 Launch a high-performing branded Web Shop in minutes—or build a fully custom storefront without the hassle. Xsolla’s modular solution reduces platform fees, supports 1,000+ global payment methods, and ships with built-in LiveOps and customization tools—so every purchase puts more revenue back in your studio’s pocket.

NPC: Next Portable Console

Returning from summer break, the NPC crew discusses Microsoft and ASUS’s Xbox handheld announcement at Gamescom. They also cover the upcoming release of Silk Song, Nintendo Direct rumors, and growing concerns about Switch 2’s strategy, particularly the lack of third-party dev kits and exclusive titles. The episode closes with an exploration of wild new handhelds from Abxylute.

This week on NPC XL, the gang digs into the Ayn Thor and speculates about what’s coming with the Odin 3. Then, Federico wraps things up with a mini surprise.

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Podcast Rewind: The Ideal AI App and Nintendo’s Pricing Changes

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AppStories

This week, Federico and John pick and choose their favorite AI app features to imagine a better AI app future, critiquing the leading LLM apps along the way. And as a bonus, John explains why read-later apps should support Shortcuts and other automation schemes.

On AppStories+, the critique continues with a look at how Todoist could be improved.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon and John mind the show while Federico is on vacation, covering Nintendo’s pricing changes, the latest on Retroid’s second screen accessory, the TrinketOS Android front end, Manic EMU for iOS, and more.

Then, for Patreon members, John and Brendon share what they’d like to see from a Steam Deck 2 and consider the intersection of No Phone Summer and retro handhelds.

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Podcast Rewind: Public Beta Thoughts and an AYANEO Extravaganza

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AppStories

This week, Federico and John share their experiences with iPadOS and macOS 26, which are now available as part of Apple’s public beta program.

On AppStories+, Federico and John discuss the state of engagement bait posting about Apple and how it’s affecting the discourse about the company and its products.

This episode is sponsored by:

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon KONKRs AYANEO’s two-day announcement-fest and is joined by John and Federico for diversions into 3DS repairs, the GPD Win 5, Gamescom, and more.

On NPC XL, which was released last week, Brendon, John, and Federico talked about the recent Nintendo Direct and shared a Switch 2 accessory update.

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Podcast Rewind: Videogame Companion Apps and Handheld Homework

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AppStories

This week, John is joined by Brendon Bigley to explore the wide world of videogame companion apps from media trackers to game-specific companion apps.

On AppStories+, John and Brendon dig into 16 years of App Store history to compile a list of games that have defined gaming on the iPhone.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon and John cover the ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 dual-screen handheld, Sony’s power-saving and controller updates, and the latest ES-DE update for Android. Then, John reports back on the MagicX Zero 40 homework that Brendon gave him last week.

On NPC XL, Brendon and John revisit two handhelds from the past year. Brendon explains why he loves the Ayn Odin 2 Mini even more than ever, and John rediscovers the AYANEO Pocket Micro in all of its overpowered glory.

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Podcast Rewind: Secondary Devices and a Streaming Game Boy Camera

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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.

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