Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and I take listeners on a tour of the wide variety of automations they’ve been working on so far this year, including shortcuts, Claude projects, and Zapier zaps.

This episode is sponsored by:

• BetterTouchTool – Get ready for BTT Mobile. Visit the BetterTouchTool community to learn more.
• Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Brendon, Federico and I analyze the latest Nintendo Direct and what it reveals about the Switch 2’s rumored June launch. Then, we dissect the many questions that Nintendo’s upcoming Virtual Game Cards system raises, explores the features of the Nintendo Today app, and debate the reported three-phase launch strategy for the next console. In the latest handheld news, we also cover an EmuDeck update, AYA NEO’s confounding mini PC, and an intriguing foldable from Huawei that’s perfect for DS emulation.

NPC XL

This week, Brendon and I share our first impressions of the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller 2, Brendon has additional thoughts about the Ayn Odin 2 Portal as a streaming device and details his living room docking setup, and I take the Mechanism gaming pillow plunge.

Ruminate

Robb brings a huge bag of snacks while I considers signature drinks, then we discus a gaming and stationery collab, followed by some Switch 2 hopes and dreams.

AppStories, Episode 429, ‘Pick 3: Automations’ Show Notes

Pick 3: Our Latest Automations

• Federico’s Audio Transcription Automation
  • Xaiomi Buds 5 and 5 Pro
  • Hazel
  • Aiko
  • AI Actions
• John’s Fetch Podcast Details Shortcut
  • Zapier
  • Todoist
  • PastePal
  • ChatGPT
• Federico on Using AI Actions with Newer AI Models
  • AI Actions
  • Ask Claude using AI Actions app
• Unread’s Shortcuts Integration
  • Readwise Reader
  • Todoist
• Federico’s Use of a Simple API for Transcribing of YouTube Videos
  • YouTubeTranscript.io
• John’s Podcast Clips Claude Project
• Also mentioned
  • Stecker
  • Lingon X

AppStories+ Post-Show

• The iPad’s Sweet Solution

Subscribe here.

On AppStories+, Federico and I dig a little deeper into some of the more complex automations that we’ve been working on in 2025.

We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week.

To learn more about the benefits included with an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page, or read the AppStories+ FAQ.

NPC, Episode 26, ‘Bridging to Switch 2: Rumors, Virtual Game Card Questions, and Nintendo’s Today App’ Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• EmuDeck 2.4 launches, with support for new emulators, improved BIOS checkers and more
• • Update AYANEO AM01S mini PC has a retro design, a 4 inch flip-up display, and AMD Strix Point inside
• Huawei Pura X
  • Huawei Pura X launched, a foldable phone with 1610 widescreen
  • Huawei’s new flip phone is weirdly wide
• Nintendo’s Switch 2 Launch Plans
  • Insider Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 expected June 2025, launch to have 3-phase plan
  • Nintendo’s “3-Phase Launch Plan” for Switch 2 - Wavelengths
  • Also, Best Buy says preorders for Switch 2 open on April 2nd
• Nintendo’s March 27, 2025 Direct

NPC XL, ‘Controllers, Docks, and Gaming Pillows: A Handheld Hardware Roundup’

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.

Ruminate, Episode 204, ‘Fanta Scientists’ Show Notes

• New Fanta Flavor! Tutti Fruitti Is Coming to the U.K. | Sporked
• Koikeya Kara Mucho Hot Chilli Flavour Ridge Cut Potato Crisps | Oriental Mart
• Doritos Bits Honey BBQ 30g
• Cream Cheese & Chive Chips - Carolina Kettle - Made in NC, LLC
• ‘Coke and beer – in one glass, please’: my gut-churning search for a signature drink
• The Pen Addict #657: Are You Coming For Me? - Relay
• I Am Obsessed With this Tomb Raider Pen • Robb Knight
• Nintendo Direct
• What are Nintendo virtual game cards?
• Portal Kombat
• Hack Pompey
• Ships Whistle
• NPC: Next Portable Console and NPC XL - MacStories

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, Ruminate, 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.