AppStories podcast

54:14

This week, Federico and John revisit the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence to describe how their using a variety of tools for their everyday workflows. On AppStories+, John shares his theory of the way we’ll look at AI models in the future. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today. Links and Show Notes How We’re Using AI Anthropic, Claude Google, Gemini Google, NotebookLM OpenAI, ChatGPT Copilot for Obsidian Zapier Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Time for Calendars 34:25

11 days ago34:25

34:25

This week, Federico and John survey their favorite calendar apps, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each. On AppStories+, Federico shares Shortcuts tips for working with Google’s Gemini API and the highly structured data it returns. Plus he and John share their concern and cautious optimism for the future of Shortcuts. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . Links and Show Notes Calendar Apps Calendar Apps Apple Calendar Raycast Calendar Integration Google Calendar extension BusyCal Mac App Store iOS and iPadOS App Store Setapp Read more in Club MacStories Weekly MacStories Recommends Dato Fantastical Week Number Notion Calendar Timepage Week Calendar Agenda Calendar 366 II Structured FirstSeed Calendar minical Also Mentioned: Todoist Shortwave Google Tasks Raycast extension Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Return of the Utility Grab Bag 30:37

18 days ago30:37

30:37

This week, Federico and John share some of their favorite utility apps, including Amphetamine, Text Lens, Gifski, Folder Peek, Mic Drop, Keka, and Marked. Then, on AppStories+, Federico and John extend their conversation about utilities with six more favorites. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Rogue Amoeba : makers of incredibly useful audio tools for your Mac. Use the code MS2504 through the end of April to get 20% off Rogue Amoeba’s apps. [[more]] Links and Show Notes Follow Up BarCuts issues fixed Zen Browser Tab Groups Extension MarkDownload Reader Our Favorite Utilities John Amphetamine Gifski Mic Drop Also mentioned: Week Number Federico Text Lens Also mentioned: Text Sniper and CleanShot X Folder Peek Keka Joint Pick Marked 2 Marked 2 and Obsidian The new, improved StyleStealer for Marked 2 Menu Bar Tangent Bartender Ice Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Pick 3: Automations 39:42

25 days ago39:42

39:42

This week, Federico and John 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. On AppStories+, Federico and John dig a little deeper into some of the more complex automations that they’ve been working on in 2025. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . 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. Links and 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 Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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From Dashboard Widgets to Breaking News: Mark Gurman's Path to Bloomberg 46:54

5 weeks ago46:54

46:54

In this special interview episode, Federico and John welcome Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman to discuss his 16-year journey covering Apple. Mark shares how he started as a teenage app developer before joining 9to5Mac and eventually Bloomberg. The conversation explores Mark’s most memorable scoops, the evolution of Apple news coverage, his relationship with Apple, and advice for aspiring tech journalists. On AppStories+, Federico and John get into the weeds to explore the hardware and apps Mark Gurman uses and discuss Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software Drafts – Where text starts. New and expired subscribers can use the link to get your first year of Drafts for $9.99. Tripsy – Your Travel Toolkit. Use the link for 25% off a lifetime purchase or 30% off a 1-Year subscription. Links and Show Notes An Interview with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman Dashcode Mark Gurman’s writing at Bloomberg Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter Stories and topics covered: The new iPhone… Apple Car coverge Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Indefinitely as AI Concerns Escalate Apple Ready to Roll Out Slimmer iPhone 17 This Fall Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Shortcuts Utility Apps Revisited 32:26

6 weeks ago32:26

32:26

This week, Federico and John explore a collection of Shortcuts helper utilities that extend functionality beyond the built-in system actions, sharing how these apps address gaps in Apple’s Shortcuts implementation across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On AppStories+, John interviews Federico about his recent story that concludes web applications often provide superior experiences to native apps on iPad, examining how this trend reflects broader challenges in the iPad ecosystem. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes Shortcuts Utility Apps AppStories, Episode 145: Shortcuts Utility Apps Shortcuts Helper Apps Actions MenuBot AI Actions Shortery Actions for Obsidian Browser Actions Alex Hay’s Apps, now developed by Snailed It Toolbox Pro Nautomate Logger Menu Box BarCuts Text Workflow Also mentioned Googly Eyes Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Our Self-Imposed Tech Deadlines 35:24

7 weeks ago35:24

35:24

This week, Federico and John share their self-imposed tech deadlines for the hardware and software they use. On AppStories+, Federico and John follow up their tech deadlines with the hardware they expect to add to their setups in 2025. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software Links and Show Notes Our Tech Deadlines Federico Absent significant improvements in iPadOS 19, Federico will add a Mac to his setup. Unless ChatGPT starts integrating more tightly with apps, Federico will cancel his subscription. Absent new exclusives, Federico will sell his PS5. John Barring substantial iPadOS improvements, John plans to experiment with Android tablets. If Apple’s cellular modems extend the battery life of the iPhone 17 Pro phones, John may drop out of Plus Club. If Apple supports third-party plugins for Final Cut Pro for iPad, John will consider moving more of his video editing to the iPad. Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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The Missing Middle 32:14

8 weeks ago32:14

32:14

This week, Federico and John examine the widening gap between consumer and enterprise apps, asking what happened to prosumer and small business app market. On AppStories+, John doesn’t buy Apple’s explanation of why the iPhone 16e doesn’t have MagSafe and has an email-adjacent theory about task managers. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes Why Aren’t Developers Making Prosumer and Small Business Apps Anymore? Todoist Fantastical PDFpen Beeper Adium GroupMe Slack Discord Microsoft Teams Notion Shortwave Claude Memberful GitHub 1Password Google Workspace Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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5 for 5: Five Predictions, Five Years 29:35

9 weeks ago29:35

29:35

This week, Federico and John make five app predictions for the next five years covering everything from App Intents and automation to the fate of the App Store. On AppStories+, John talks through a very specific use case for Apple’s new iPhone 16e. Subscribe here. We deliver AppStories+ to subscribers with bonus content, ad-free, and at a high bitrate early every week. To learn more about an AppStories+ subscription, visit our Plans page , or read the AppStories+ FAQ . This episode is sponsored by: P – The water reminder and hydration app. Links and Show Notes 5 for 5: Five App Predictions for the Next Five Years Additional Reading: Apple Intelligence: The MacStories Overview iOS and iPadOS 18: The MacStories Review macOS Sequoia: The MacStories Review Gemini 2.0 and LLMs Integrated with Apps Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.2: A Deep Dive into Working with Siri and ChatGPT, Together Apple Reveals A Partial Timeline for the Rollout of More Apple Intelligence Features Apple’s Commitment to AI Is Clear, But Its Execution Is Uneven Widgets and What Apple’s Recent Expansion of App Intents Might Mean for the Shortcuts App An App Store First: Delta Adds Patreon Link for Purchase and Perks The Delta Videogame Emulator Launches on the App Store Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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A Classic Pick 2: Hidden Gems 31:07

10 weeks ago31:07

31:07

This week, Federico and John each pick two apps you may or may not have heard of or considered using and explain why you should give them a try. On AppStories+, we extend our picks with several more apps we’ve been testing recently. Learn more at appstories.plus. This episode is sponsored by: Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software Incogni – Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code APPSTORIES with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Links and Show Notes Classic Pick 2: Hidden Gems Edition Federico’s Picks NextDNS Google Keep John’s Picks ScreenFloat MassReplaceIt Also Mentioned: Pursuing Pasta Perfection MacWhisper VidCap Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Thoughts on Covering AI Our Way 35:55

11 weeks ago35:55

35:55

This week, Federico and John say goodbye to the AppStories+ pre-show and hello to the new post-show. Then, for the main event, they update listeners on how MacStories plans to cover AI news and tools. Links and Show Notes Thoughts on Covering AI AI Companies Need to Be Regulated An Open Letter to the U.S. Congress and European Parliament Apps and Services Mentioned: Granola.ai ChatGPT Gemini Claude Subscribe here. 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 . Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Life Tracking, Journaling, and the Vision Pro with Devon Dundee 34:04

12 weeks ago34:04

34:04

This week, Federico and John are joined by Devon Dundee of the Magic Rays of Light podcast to talk about his approaches to life tracking and journaling and how the Apple Vision Pro has become his primary computer. Links and Show Notes Life Tracking, Journaling, and the Vision Pro Awesome Habits Chronicling Collections Everlog Apple Vision Pro PrismXR Carina D1 Charging Dock More Apps Runestone Working Copy ChatGPT Structured Bridges New Reeder Follow Devon Online: Magic Rays of Light Devon Dundee MacStories Mastodon Bluesky Subscribe here. 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 . Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Three Browsers Are Better Than One with Matt Birchler 35:22

13 weeks ago35:22

35:22

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. This episode is sponsored by: Things – Keep Your Plans on Track Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software Links and Show Notes 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 Check out our Desk Setups: https://www.macstories.net/setups/ Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky AppStories MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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An Apple Intelligence Wish List 30:46

14 weeks ago30:46

30:46

This week, Federico and John look ahead to WWDC and beyond to consider how Apple Intelligence could be used to change the way we use our iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Links and Show Notes An Apple Intelligence Wish List A more conversational Siri Apple Readies More Conversational LLM Siri in Bid to Rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT - Bloomberg Developer Tools Cursor Pixelmator Team to Join Apple Follow us on Mastodon AppStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees…

AppStories

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Apple Prophecies and Predictions for 2025 28:46

15 weeks ago28:46