MacStories
@macstories.net
Apple news, reviews, stories, and podcasts. By @viticci.macstories.net, @johnvoorhees.macstories.net, and friends at https://www.macstories.net.
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@macstories.net
· Nov 18
The MacStories team is on Bluesky. To follow the site, our podcasts, and the team, use this handy MacStories Starter Pack: go.bsky.app/MSyjAAg
Detail on MacStories: www.macstories.net/news/macstor...
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Reposted by MacStories
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update
John: As 2025 comes to an end, Federico and I thought we???d cap off the year with a final update on our setups. We just went through this in November, but both Federico and I decided to take advantage of Black Friday sales to improve our setups in very different ways. Let???s take a look....
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Podcast Rewind: The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards, John’s Journey into Bazzite, Techy Clothes Shopping, and The Best Music of the ... https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-the-2025-macstories-selects-awards-johns-journey-into-bazzite-techy-clothes-shopping-and-the-best-music-of-the-year/
Podcast Rewind: The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards, John???s Journey into Bazzite, Techy Clothes Shopping, and The Best Music of the Year
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories??? family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John reveal the winners of the 2025 MacStories Selects Awards, which celebrate the exceptional design, innovation, and creativity of apps across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. On AppStories+, John has some Apple Music discovery tips for Federico, and they...
www.macstories.net
December 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Podcast Rewind: The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards, John’s Journey into Bazzite, Techy Clothes Shopping, and The Best Music of the ... https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-the-2025-macstories-selects-awards-johns-journey-into-bazzite-techy-clothes-shopping-and-the-best-music-of-the-year/
🚨Reminder🚨 Born to Be Wild premieres on Apple TV today
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Watch Born to Be Wild - Apple TV
From first steps to first hunts, follow six rare baby animals as they learn survival skills and bring hope for the future of their species in the wild…
apple.co
December 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
🚨Reminder🚨 Born to Be Wild premieres on Apple TV today
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OpenAI Opens Up ChatGPT App Submissions to Developers https://www.macstories.net/news/openai-opens-up-chatgpt-app-submissions-to-developers/
OpenAI Opens Up ChatGPT App Submissions to Developers
Announced earlier this year at OpenAI???s DevDay, developers may now submit ChatGPT apps for review and publication. OpenAI???s blog post explains that: Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment. Under the hood, OpenAI...
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
OpenAI Opens Up ChatGPT App Submissions to Developers https://www.macstories.net/news/openai-opens-up-chatgpt-app-submissions-to-developers/
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update
John: As 2025 comes to an end, Federico and I thought we???d cap off the year with a final update on our setups. We just went through this in November, but both Federico and I decided to take advantage of Black Friday sales to improve our setups in very different ways. Let???s take a look....
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Comfort Zone, Episode 80: My Pink Booties
@chrislawley.me reflects on a big year of changes, @birchtree.me has turned his garage into a mini-factory, and the gang buys clothes, but in a techy way.
▶️ youtu.be/wUn6euyGxoY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
@chrislawley.me reflects on a big year of changes, @birchtree.me has turned his garage into a mini-factory, and the gang buys clothes, but in a techy way.
▶️ youtu.be/wUn6euyGxoY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
Comfort Zone, Episode 80: My Pink Booties
YouTube video by MacStories
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Comfort Zone, Episode 80: My Pink Booties
@chrislawley.me reflects on a big year of changes, @birchtree.me has turned his garage into a mini-factory, and the gang buys clothes, but in a techy way.
▶️ youtu.be/wUn6euyGxoY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
@chrislawley.me reflects on a big year of changes, @birchtree.me has turned his garage into a mini-factory, and the gang buys clothes, but in a techy way.
▶️ youtu.be/wUn6euyGxoY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
Two Months with the Narwal Freo X10 Pro https://www.macstories.net/reviews/two-months-with-the-narwal-freo-x10-pro/
Two Months with the Narwal Freo X10 Pro
In the depths of the pandemic, I bought an iRobot Roomba j7 vacuum. At the time, it was one of the nicer models iRobot offered, but it was expensive. It did a passable job in areas with few obstacles, but it filled up fast, had a hard time positioning itself on its base and frequently...
www.macstories.net
December 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Two Months with the Narwal Freo X10 Pro https://www.macstories.net/reviews/two-months-with-the-narwal-freo-x10-pro/
Reposted by MacStories
On NPC, we cover AYANEO's phone, a new Strix Halo tablet and @johnvoorhees.macstories.net' plunge into the world of Bazzite.
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
New Phones and Tablets Take Aim at Portable Gaming
Podcast Episode · NPC: Next Portable Console · 12/16/2025 · 27m
apple.co
December 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
On NPC, we cover AYANEO's phone, a new Strix Halo tablet and @johnvoorhees.macstories.net' plunge into the world of Bazzite.
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
Reposted by MacStories
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, @viticci.macstories.net get's a Mini PC too and @bb.wavelengths.online embarks on an iPod quest.
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
Bazzite Boxes and Rockboxed Bricks | Next Portable Console
Get more from Next Portable Console on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, @viticci.macstories.net get's a Mini PC too and @bb.wavelengths.online embarks on an iPod quest.
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
Reposted by MacStories
A new episode of AppStories is out!
The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards – https://appstories.net/posts/the-2025-macstories-selects-awards
The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards – https://appstories.net/posts/the-2025-macstories-selects-awards
December 16, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A new episode of AppStories is out!
The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards – https://appstories.net/posts/the-2025-macstories-selects-awards
The 2025 MacStories Selects Awards – https://appstories.net/posts/the-2025-macstories-selects-awards
Reposted by MacStories
Special thanks to @revenuecat.com for sponsoring this year's MacStories Selects Awards. They've done a lot of great work in the indie community, which made them perfect to team up with for the awards. www.revenuecat.com?utm_medium=s...
In-App Subscriptions Made Easy – RevenueCat
The world’s best apps use RevenueCat to power in-app purchases, manage customer data, and grow revenue across iOS, Android, and the web.
www.revenuecat.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Special thanks to @revenuecat.com for sponsoring this year's MacStories Selects Awards. They've done a lot of great work in the indie community, which made them perfect to team up with for the awards. www.revenuecat.com?utm_medium=s...
MacStories Selects 2025: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-selects-2025-recognizing-the-best-apps-of-the-year/
MacStories Selects 2025: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year
John:??2025 was a different sort of year for apps, which is reflected in this year???s MacStories Selects Awards winners. App innovation comes from many places. Sometimes it???s new Apple APIs or hardware, and other times it???s broader shifts in the tech world. [aside pre_title=???Supported By??? title=???RevenueCat??? align=???center??? width=???narrow???] RevenueCat: The easiest way to add in-app...
www.macstories.net
December 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
MacStories Selects 2025: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-selects-2025-recognizing-the-best-apps-of-the-year/
The MacStories Selects 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-macstories-selects-2025-lifetime-achievement-award/
The MacStories Selects 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Unread In the 16 years that I???ve been writing for MacStories, I???ve seen my fair share of new apps that have come and gone. Apps that promised to revolutionize a particular segment of the App Store were eventually acquired, discontinued, or simply abandoned. It???s been very unusual to witness an indie app survive in a...
www.macstories.net
December 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The MacStories Selects 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-macstories-selects-2025-lifetime-achievement-award/
Reposted by MacStories
🎮 Amazon has a great limited time deal on a 256GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card…
…the kind of card you need for the Nintendo Switch 2 that you may be putting under your Christmas tree for someone.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/49a4HB4
…the kind of card you need for the Nintendo Switch 2 that you may be putting under your Christmas tree for someone.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/49a4HB4
December 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
🎮 Amazon has a great limited time deal on a 256GB Samsung P9 microSD Express card…
…the kind of card you need for the Nintendo Switch 2 that you may be putting under your Christmas tree for someone.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/49a4HB4
…the kind of card you need for the Nintendo Switch 2 that you may be putting under your Christmas tree for someone.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/49a4HB4
Tomorrow, the winners will be revealed…
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
December 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Tomorrow, the winners will be revealed…
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
Copilot Money, The Best Money Tracker, Launches on the Web – Limited-Time: Get 26% Off + 2 Months Free https://www.macstories.net/sponsored/copilot-money-the-best-money-tracker-launches-on-the-web-limited-time-get-26-off-2-months-free/
Copilot Money, The Best Money Tracker, Launches on the Web ??? Limited-Time: Get 26% Off + 2 Months Free [Sponsor]
Today, Copilot Money ??? the Apple Editor???s Choice money app ??? is expanding beyond iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the launch of its new web app, available now. This release brings Copilot???s beautiful, clean interface and powerful financial insights to any browser, with native-quality performance built right into the web experience. And with seamless syncing...
www.macstories.net
December 15, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Copilot Money, The Best Money Tracker, Launches on the Web – Limited-Time: Get 26% Off + 2 Months Free https://www.macstories.net/sponsored/copilot-money-the-best-money-tracker-launches-on-the-web-limited-time-get-26-off-2-months-free/
🚨Reminder🚨 A Charlie Brown Christmas streams for free today and tomorrow on Apple TV today
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Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas - Apple TV
Feeling down about the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown becomes the director of the gang's holiday play. Can he overcome his friends’ prefere…
apple.co
December 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
🚨Reminder🚨 A Charlie Brown Christmas streams for free today and tomorrow on Apple TV today
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Reposted by MacStories
🖥️ Apple’s entry-level 2024 M4 Mac mini is on sale on Amazon.
This is an entry level mini with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, which isn’t a lot, but for home server and other projects, it’s a great deal.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/3MFmeZ3
This is an entry level mini with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, which isn’t a lot, but for home server and other projects, it’s a great deal.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/3MFmeZ3
December 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
🖥️ Apple’s entry-level 2024 M4 Mac mini is on sale on Amazon.
This is an entry level mini with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, which isn’t a lot, but for home server and other projects, it’s a great deal.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/3MFmeZ3
This is an entry level mini with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, which isn’t a lot, but for home server and other projects, it’s a great deal.
Affiliate link: amzn.to/3MFmeZ3
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-vibe-coded-tools-reading-the-steam-tea-leaves-new-keyboard-layouts-and-the-best-videogames-of-the-year/
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories??? family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John explain how they go about creating personal productivity tools with the assistance of AI and walk through some of what they have created. On AppStories+, we talk about our Black Friday tech purchases. NPC: Next Portable Console This week, AYANEO...
www.macstories.net
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-vibe-coded-tools-reading-the-steam-tea-leaves-new-keyboard-layouts-and-the-best-videogames-of-the-year/
Reposted by MacStories
Today on Unwind, we share our favorite videogames of 2025, along with a special movie deal.
apple.co/44ttGga
apple.co/44ttGga
Best Videogames of 2025
Podcast Episode · MacStories Unwind · 12/12/2025 · 25m
apple.co
December 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Today on Unwind, we share our favorite videogames of 2025, along with a special movie deal.
apple.co/44ttGga
apple.co/44ttGga
🚨Reminder🚨 F1: The Movie’s begins streaming on Apple TV today
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Watch F1 The Movie - Apple TV
Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed into leading a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentoring a young hotshot driver—while chasing one last chance at red…
apple.co
December 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
🚨Reminder🚨 F1: The Movie’s begins streaming on Apple TV today
- buff.ly/9SACr8A
Learn more on MacStories here:
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Awake: A Considered, Effective Alarm for Chronic Snoozers https://www.macstories.net/news/awake-a-considered-effective-alarm-for-chronic-snoozers/
Awake: A Considered, Effective Alarm for Chronic Snoozers
Waking up on time is a quintessential human problem. Over the years, we???ve come up with all kinds of solutions, from ringing analog clocks to flashing lights to motorized digital clocks that roll away from our bedsides as they chime, forcing us to get up and find them to turn them off. But what if...
www.macstories.net
December 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Awake: A Considered, Effective Alarm for Chronic Snoozers https://www.macstories.net/news/awake-a-considered-effective-alarm-for-chronic-snoozers/
This week in the Cozy Zone: we drafted fonts! As you can imagine, strong opinions were felt.
(Cozy Zone is the weekly extension of Comfort Zone! Subscribe here: www.macstories.net/comfort-zone...)
(Cozy Zone is the weekly extension of Comfort Zone! Subscribe here: www.macstories.net/comfort-zone...)
Comfort Zone
<p>Comfort Zone is a weekly podcast that pushes its hosts outside of their, well, comfort zone hosted by Christopher Lawley, Niléane Dorffer, and Matt Birchler. Every Thursday, each host will bring ne...
www.macstories.net
December 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This week in the Cozy Zone: we drafted fonts! As you can imagine, strong opinions were felt.
(Cozy Zone is the weekly extension of Comfort Zone! Subscribe here: www.macstories.net/comfort-zone...)
(Cozy Zone is the weekly extension of Comfort Zone! Subscribe here: www.macstories.net/comfort-zone...)
Comfort Zone, Episode 79: I Got a Flu From This Keyboard
@chrislawley.me is making a bunch of changes going into 2026, @nileane.fr has another snazzy audio app update, and everyone navigates the pain of trying to use a new keyboard layout.
▶️ youtu.be/9QOTbN7HQRY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
@chrislawley.me is making a bunch of changes going into 2026, @nileane.fr has another snazzy audio app update, and everyone navigates the pain of trying to use a new keyboard layout.
▶️ youtu.be/9QOTbN7HQRY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
Comfort Zone, Episode 79: I Got a Flu From This Keyboard
YouTube video by MacStories
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Comfort Zone, Episode 79: I Got a Flu From This Keyboard
@chrislawley.me is making a bunch of changes going into 2026, @nileane.fr has another snazzy audio app update, and everyone navigates the pain of trying to use a new keyboard layout.
▶️ youtu.be/9QOTbN7HQRY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
@chrislawley.me is making a bunch of changes going into 2026, @nileane.fr has another snazzy audio app update, and everyone navigates the pain of trying to use a new keyboard layout.
▶️ youtu.be/9QOTbN7HQRY
🎧 www.macstories.net/comfort-zone/
MacStories readers' top 5 November gear purchases and all are still on sale:
- Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro buff.ly/bTY6wZh
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack buff.ly/TcL0up5
- Apple Pencil Pro buff.ly/FmzQ61m
- Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe buff.ly/iNkmV68
- Apple AirPods 4 with ANC buff.ly/ewGP25Y
- Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro buff.ly/bTY6wZh
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack buff.ly/TcL0up5
- Apple Pencil Pro buff.ly/FmzQ61m
- Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe buff.ly/iNkmV68
- Apple AirPods 4 with ANC buff.ly/ewGP25Y
December 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
MacStories readers' top 5 November gear purchases and all are still on sale:
- Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro buff.ly/bTY6wZh
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack buff.ly/TcL0up5
- Apple Pencil Pro buff.ly/FmzQ61m
- Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe buff.ly/iNkmV68
- Apple AirPods 4 with ANC buff.ly/ewGP25Y
- Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro buff.ly/bTY6wZh
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack buff.ly/TcL0up5
- Apple Pencil Pro buff.ly/FmzQ61m
- Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe buff.ly/iNkmV68
- Apple AirPods 4 with ANC buff.ly/ewGP25Y