Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, for episode 420 Federico and John are joined by Matt Birchler, co-host of Comfort Zone and many other projects to talk about web apps, email, AI, and more.

On AppStories+, Matt, John, and Federico confess their tech secrets.

Sponsored by:

• Things – Keep Your Plans on Track
• Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software

NPC: Next Portable Console

It’s a packed episode with a post Switch 2 reveal vibe check and more on iPhone game controller innovation, plus John’s early impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal, Brendon’s review of the Miyoo Flip, and Federico’s long 2DS/3DS emulation journey.

AppStories, Episode 420, ‘Three Browsers Are Better Than One with Matt Birchler’ Show Notes

Links and Show Notes

AppStories+ Pre-Show

Visit AppStories.net to learn more about the extended, high bitrate audio version of AppStories that is delivered early each week and subscribe.

• YouTube
• TourBox Elite Plus
  • Also Mentioned:
    • Automation April The Loupedeck Live S Is a More Portable and Affordable Automation Control Panel for the Mac
    • First Look Logitech’s MX Creative Console Is Poised to Compete with Elgato’s Stream Deck Lineup
    • Getting Started with Shortcuts for Mac and the Stream Deck
    • TRMNL

Web Apps, AI, and the Future of App Stores

• Email
  • Superhuman
  • Shortwave
• Browsers
  • Zen
  • Arc
• How Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek Made a Model that Rivals OpenAI
• Matt’s Recent App Favorites
  • Cursor
  • Lottielab
  • Spline
• Quick Reviews
• Where to Find Matt Birchler
  • Comfort Zone podcast
  • Birchtree.me
  • A Better Computer

Subscribe here.

On AppStories+, a video experiment, I have iPad Pro follow-up, and Federico has technical follow-up and a question for listeners about streaming videogames over Wi-Fi.

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 19, ‘Peas, a Rubber Band, and an iPad’ Show Notes

Links and Show Notes

iPhone Controller Innovation

• MCON’s Kickstarter Campaign
• 8BitDo’s Micro Controller Clip
• GamSir’s Unnamed Combo Controller and Battery Prototype
  • More on Wavelengths and MacStories
• The Bitmo Lab GAMEBABY

Ayn Odin2 Portal

• Website
• Retro Game Corps Review

Miyoo Flip

• On AliExpress
• Brendon’s review on Wavelengths
• Brendon’s video on YouTube

Federico’s 3DS Journey

• Microsoft Surface 2 Duo
• Steam Deck
  • EmuDeck
  • Emulation Station
• iPad Pro 4
• Lenovo Legion Y700 (2024 model), available only from China
  • Note: Brendon mentioned that it const $300, but that’s the 2023 model
  • Example of graphics quality
• Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which will be available worldwide soon
• Nintendo 2DS

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.