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Episode 450August 31, 2025

Back From Break: Automation, AI, and IKEA

This week, AppStories returns with details on the projects Federico and John worked on during their breaks.

On AppStories+, the importance of breaks and finding ways to unwind.



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AppStories Episode 450Back From Break: Automation, AI, and IKEA

0:0047:48

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Steamclock – We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details.
  • Xsolla – 🚀 Launch a high-performing branded Web Shop in minutes—or build a fully custom storefront without the hassle. Xsolla’s modular solution reduces platform fees, supports 1,000+ global payment methods, and ships with built-in LiveOps and customization tools—so every purchase puts more revenue back in your studio’s pocket.

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Episode 449August 10, 2025

Building a Better AI App

This week, Federico and John pick and choose their favorite AI app features to imagine a better AI app future, critiquing the leading LLM apps along the way. And, as a bonus, John explains why read-later apps should support Shortcuts and other automation schemes.

On AppStories+, the critique continues with a look at how Todoist could be improved.



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AppStories Episode 449Building a Better AI App

0:0036:27

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off

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Episode 448August 3, 2025

The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas

This week, Federico and John share their experiences with iPadOS and macOS 26, which are now available as part of Apple’s public beta program.

On AppStories+, Federico and John discuss the state of engagement bait posting about Apple and how it’s affecting the discourse about the company and its products.



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AppStories Episode 448The iPadOS and macOS 26 Public Betas

0:0034:57

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Episode 447July 27, 2025

Gaming Sidekicks: Videogame Companion Apps with Brendon Bigley

This week, John is joined by Brendon Bigley to explore the wide world of videogame companion apps from media trackers to game specific companion apps.

On AppStories+, John and Brendon dig into 16 years of App Store history to compile a list of games that have defined gaming on the iPhone.

Also available on YouTube here.



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AppStories Episode 447Gaming Sidekicks: Videogame Companion Apps with Brendon Bigley

0:0043:13

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Episode 446July 20, 2025

A Secondary Device Check-In

This week, Federico and John explain how they use their secondary systems, which for John is the iPad and for Federico, the Mac.

On AppStories+, Federico asks whether technologies like web-based MCP render Apple’s native App Intents irrelevant?

Also available on YouTube here.



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AppStories Episode 446A Secondary Device Check-In

0:0028:13

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Episode 445July 13, 2025

Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing

This week, Federico and John share a grab bag of projects we'd like to see Apple pursue from software, to hardware and corporate acquisitions.

On AppStories+, Federico and John take their wish list further with a bunch of gadgets they’d like to see Apple make.



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AppStories Episode 445Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing

0:0037:31

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

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Episode 444July 6, 2025

Inside our Summertime Review Toolkits

This week, Federico and John reflect on their preparations for the fall review season, how dealing with design changes is different than new features, and explain some of the tools their using for research and writing this year.

On AppStories+, John answers the question “What if the Stream Deck was $20 and fit in the palm of your hand.”



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AppStories Episode 444Inside our Summertime Review Toolkits

0:0027:36

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Episode 443June 29, 2025

Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More

This week, Federico records entirely on his iPad Pro using the new local capture feature in iPadOS 26. He and John discuss how this system feature changes remote podcasting, their experiences and experiments with macOS Tahoe and the new Spotlight, and why both have returned to Apple’s Reminders app—thanks in part to Apple Intelligence and AI automation workflows. Also covered this week: AirPods get better recording quality in the latest beta, MCP integrations with native apps, and early thoughts on Workout Buddy in watchOS 26.

On AppStories+, Federico explores Perplexity’s system-level integrations and publishes from Notes, while John explores a new Focus mode combination thanks to iOS 26.



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AppStories Episode 443Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More

0:0029:30

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Episode 442June 22, 2025

An iPad Pickle

This week, Federico and John reflect on where the iPad fits within their workflows after the announcement of iPadOS 26.

Then, on AppStories+, they explore the potential for an Apple automation renaissance built on the features announced at WWDC.



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AppStories Episode 442An iPad Pickle

0:0029:14

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Episode 441June 15, 2025

A Behind the Scenes Peek at WWDC Week

This week, Federico and John catch listeners up on their whirlwind WWDC week, which was chaotic in the best possible way.

On AppStories+, Federico and John get excited about what the WWDC announcements say about the direction of automation on Apple’s platforms.



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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.



AppStories Episode 441A Behind the Scenes Peek at WWDC Week

0:0034:22

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Notion – Try the powerful, easy-to-use Notion AI today.

READ MORE