Devon Dundee

75 posts on MacStories since January 2024

Devon Dundee is the co-host of Magic Rays of Light, a podcast exploring the world of Apple TV, where he’s covered Apple TV, tvOS, and Apple Originals since 2021. He’s also written about apps, TV, and film on his personal website for over ten years. Devon lives in Arkansas with his wife, their son, and their dog Winter.

@[email protected]
@devondundee.com
devon@macstories.net

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CANAL+ Releases Immersive Documentary MotoGP: Tour De Force

Today, French entertainment company CANAL+ is releasing immersive documentary MotoGP: Tour De Force for Apple Vision Pro users. The 30-minute film follows French championship rider Johann Zarco during the French Grand Prix weekend this May, where he became the first French rider to win the race in over 70 years.

One of the first third-party partners to receive access to the technology behind Apple Immersive Video, CANAL+ captured the race and the behind-the-scenes action using four Blackmagic Design’s URSA Cine Immersive cameras on pedestals and Steadicams in combination with ambisonic microphones. The end result will be very familiar to fans of Apple Immersive Video, with its 8K resolution, 180-degree field of view, 3D, and Spatial Audio.

I got a chance to check out the film ahead of its release and found it to be thrilling and impactful. The subject is a perfect fit for Apple Immersive Video; I could hardly keep up with the motorbikes zooming by from the trackside view. But just as enjoyable was the story, where the film follows Johann Zarco through the emotional ups and downs of the weekend, culminating in the joy of victory in front of 300,000 fans.

If MotoGP: Tour De Force is an indication of what we can expect from future third-party Apple Immersive Videos (and I think it is), I’m excited. The immersive videos we’ve seen from Apple so far have taken us to far-off places to witness stories, sports, and experiences many of us would otherwise never have access to, and with the tools to make this kind of content now in the hands of many more creators, I think of the future of immersive video on Apple Vision Pro is bright.

MotoGP: Tour De Force is available to stream now on Apple Vision Pro. Users in France can stream the film in the CANAL+ app with an active subscription, while users in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.A.E, the U.K., and the U.S. can stream the film for free in the Apple TV app. Alongside the announcement of MotoGP: Tour De Force, Apple also announced its upcoming slate of immersive videos, including new episodes of ongoing series and new entries from partners like Red Bull and CNN.

Podcast Rewind: PopSockets, Review Recovery, and Foundation’s Surprise Finale

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Comfort Zone

Matt brings a new phone (but it’s not what you thiiiink), Chris finally got the iPadOS update of his dreams, and Niléane oversees the PopSockets challenge, which ends up being an all-time Comfort Zone disaster.

On Cozy Zone, the gang shares their top five video games.

MacStories Unwind

This week, Federico and John reflect on the toll of the review process and the annual recovery process before Federico follows up on a TV series and John recommends a pair of albums. Plus, we have a great Marvel movie bundle deal for listeners.

Magic Rays of Light

Sigmund and Devon highlight The Morning Show’s return, share their thoughts on tvOS 26 and visionOS 26, and look back on the third season of Foundation.

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

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

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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visionOS 26: The MacStories Review

As Apple’s newest and most cutting-edge platform, visionOS is also the hardest to nail down. Vision Pro as a product is still so nascent that people don’t quite know what to make of it. Is it a VR headset for gaming and watching movies? Is it a specialized tool for designers and doctors? Or could it be a computer that everyday people might one day be interested in using for both work and play?

The jury is still out. Although the Vision Pro is very much a product you can buy right now and visionOS is an operating system that users run every day, there’s still an intangible element surrounding the whole ordeal. Most people who aren’t enthusiasts or early adopters have no firsthand experience of what the platform is like. The current form factor limits the potential user base for visionOS to those willing to wear a bulky headset regularly. It’s simply not a platform that just anyone can easily pick up and try for themselves.

But for those who do take the plunge, there’s something about visionOS that’s undeniably compelling on a fundamental level. It just feels cool to see windows and objects within your real space and then be able to move them around freely using your eyes and hands. It’s an interaction model that’s long been dreamed about and speculated on, and it’s available in the here and now.

For some, the form factor tradeoffs and software limitations of the Vision Pro are enough to outweigh the novelty and magic of it all. But there are others who can’t get enough of visionOS as it stands today and can see its potential to be even more in the future. For them – well, I guess I should say for us – the Vision Pro feels like the future.

Based on the ways Apple is moving the platform forward this year, it seems that the company is listening to feedback from both parties. visionOS 26 includes flashy new features for Vision Pro superfans who want to get the most out of the platform’s unique immersive experiences, but it also packs in a bunch of quality-of-life improvements to bring it closer in line with Apple’s other platforms and make the system more approachable to everyday users. And at the same time, the platform is pushing further into areas of interest like gaming and collaboration where it can offer something truly unique from anything else in Apple’s lineup.

When I reviewed visionOS 2 last year, I was amazed at the progress that the platform’s development team had made in such a short time. That pace of growth has not let up over the past year, with enhancements like Apple Intelligence and a remade Guest User mode coming in the middle of the visionOS 2 cycle. And visionOS 26 keeps that rapid development going with a ton of new features, improvements, and capabilities that make Vision Pro even more powerful and enjoyable to use.

Let’s get into it.

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    iOS and iPadOS 26 Review Extras: eBooks, Drafts Actions, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, and a Special Edition of MacStories Weekly

    Today’s the day! This morning, Federico published his comprehensive review of iOS and iPadOS 26, covering the systems’ design, new app features, and more – including, of course, big changes to iPadOS. His review kicks off a really fun week here at MacStories, and we’re making it extra special with exclusive perks for Club MacStories members. Here’s what’s in store.

    For Club MacStories members, we’ve got some exciting perks to help you dive deeper into Federico’s review:

    • An eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review that you can download and read on your favorite device or app
    • A behind-the-scenes making-of story in the next MacStories Weekly with details on how Federico researched, wrote, and compiled the review

    If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below:

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    Podcast Rewind: Challenging Inputs and OS Review Perks

    Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

    Comfort Zone

    Niléane goes phone shopping for someone else, Chris conducts the iPhone 16 Pro exit interview, and the whole gang gets weird with inputs.

    On Cozy Zone, the gang roasts each other’s desk setups.

    MacStories Unwind

    This week, John explains the art of Southern storytelling with an example, reminding Federico to touch grass before sharing a classic movie deal and previewing some of the perks coming next week with his iOS and iPadOS 26 review.

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

    Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

    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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    Apple Introduces AirPods Pro 3

    Source: Apple.

    Source: Apple.

    During today’s Awe Dropping event, Apple announced AirPods Pro 3, the next generation of the company’s high-end wireless earbuds. Coming three years after the debut of their predecessors, AirPods Pro 3 feature a rethought design, increased battery life, improved Active Noise Cancellation, and a heart rate sensor, alongside several new software features.

    Apple says they have re-engineered the shape of AirPods Pro to make them a better fit for more users. The buds themselves are smaller with a more center-aligned ear tip to improve stability. They now boast IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance to better hold up to weather and workouts, and the tips now come in a new XXS size. They continue to support the same pressing and swiping gestures for playback control, as well as the new camera remote capabilities coming to AirPods this fall.

    While AirPods Pro 3 feature a smaller form factor, their case has increased slightly in size over the previous generation, growing a bit taller and wider. The case offers up to 24 hours of battery life, with the buds capable of playing audio for up to eight hours on a single charge with ANC enabled and up to ten hours with Transparency mode enabled. The case also includes the updated U2 chip for improved Precision Finding in Find My.

    Transparency mode is more personalized to make voices sound more natural. Meanwhile, ANC is vastly improved, with Apple saying AirPods Pro 3 are capable of cancelling twice as much noise as the previous generation and four times as much as the original AirPods Pro, thanks to a combination of ultra low-noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and a new foam infusion in the ear tips. In terms of sound quality, the buds incorporate a new multiport acoustic architecture for better airflow, bass response, and clarity, as well as a wider soundstage.

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    Podcast Rewind: Tech Paper Cuts, a Coyote Sighting, and Apple Event Predictions

    Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

    Comfort Zone

    Matt really thinks he’s cracked note taking, Niléane fixes every tech paper cut in her life she can find, and the whole gang pitches their new Apple product lines.

    MacStories Unwind

    This week, the weather has begun to change, coyotes are on the loose, and John shares his running tech. Plus, Federico has a TV comedy for listeners, and John has a superhero movie pick.

    Magic Rays of Light

    Sigmund and Devon attempt to predict what Apple will announce at next week’s Awe Dropping event.

    Read more