mastodon 4.7.3I run @macstories@mastodon.macstories.net with @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net where we cover Apple, apps, videogames, and more.
I also co-host four MacStories podcasts: @appstories@mastodon.macstories.net about the world of apps, @npc@mastodon.macstories.net about the handheld videogame revolution, and @unwind@mastodon.macstories.net, covering favorite movies, TV, music, videogames, and other media. I also co-host Ruminate, a show about the weird web and offbeat snacks.
The gear I use: https://www.macstories.net/setups/#johns-setup
Contender for boomer article of the year.
Buying a lifetime Plex pass for $75 back in the day turned out to be a good call. https://www.theverge.com/tech/934269/plex-pass-lifetime-subscription-triple-750-price-hike
Federico doesn't do anything half way - in a good way - and Shortcuts Playground is a great example.
When it became clear that coding agents had become capable enough to generate shortcuts, @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net got to work.
The trick was distilling more than a decade of Shortcuts knowledge into a plugin for Codex and Claude Code.
It took months of painstaking work, but the results are totally worth it: shortcuts built from natural language prompts.
Shortcuts Playground: https://www.macstories.net/stories/introducing-shortcuts-playground/
Pedometer++ 8.0 is out with some really excellent new Apple Watch features. Check out all the details on MacStories:
https://www.macstories.net/reviews/pedometer-8-glimmers-of-an-apple-wrist-renaissance/
RE: @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net
We have important work to do in a few weeks.
If you're a developer with an app to promote, MacStories' WWDC-week sponsorships are back!
We break our coverage into multiple spots at a range of prices: sponsor posts, callouts in OS and Apple Intelligence overviews, AppStories spots, and news-item callouts.
There's something to match any budget.
Spots filled fast last year and are already filling this year.
Want more details? Get in touch with me via email here: voorhees@macstories.net
This week for @club@mastodon.macstories.net, I wrote about how the cost/benefit calculus analysis of automation has fundamentally changed with coding agents and why that requires a new way of thinking about automation in general.
Also, we have a special perk from the dictation app Monologue and a lot of new app coverage.
https://www.macstories.net/club/macstories-weekly-issue-513/#the-automation-calculus-has-changed
There are many ways to connect remotely to a Mac. Astropad Workbench is notable for some unique ideas that genuinely improve the experience of driving a Mac from an iPhone or iPad. More on MacStories.
https://www.macstories.net/reviews/astropad-workbench-rethinks-remote-mac-control-for-ai-agents/
RE: @johnvoorhees@mastodon.macstories.net
You may be wondering, "Why would I check my email from the Terminal?"
That's not what this is about. With Spark's CLI and Claude Code, I set up an automation to find package tracking numbers in my email.
That then automatically adds deliveries to a package tracking app, which hooks into an existing system I built that sends me a text via iMessage when a package's status changes.
What it's about is hybrid automation.
See also: https://www.macstories.net/club/automate-everything-on-macos-with-codex/
If you're a reader who loves music, you really need to try Book Beats. It's a terrific app that does a remarkable job of pairing playlists with books thanks to a sprinkling of AI.
https://www.macstories.net/reviews/book-beats-reading-to-the-rhythm/
And as MacStories' ad guy, it's worth noting that the Shortcuts Archive (https://www.macstories.net/shortcuts/) is the second-most visited page at MacStories after the homepage.
If you'd like to sponsor it, it's available monthly or annually.
Get in touch with me at voorhees@macstories.net if you're interested for more details.
Recent studies reinforce the tidal wave of apps we've seen pitched at MacStories. Coding agents are a big part of that, but there's more to the story than the volume of apps.
The view from the trenches:
https://www.macstories.net/linked/coding-agents-are-reshaping-the-app-store/
Shortcuts Playground is on GitHub here: https://github.com/viticci/shortcuts-playground-plugin
We also updated the MacStories Shortcuts Archive with search, filtering, and an all-new design: https://www.macstories.net/stories/introducing-shortcuts-playground/
And for @club@mastodon.macstories.net members, @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net built a shortcut that creates shortcuts called Shortcuts Playground Remote: https://www.macstories.net/club/shortcuts-playground-remote/
Today in the MacStories Monthly Log for Club members, I wrote about the resurgence of Markdown text editors and shared some favorites: https://www.macstories.net/club/monthly-log-april-2026/markdown-editors-are-suddenly-hot-again/
Oh hey, I know that guy. https://x.com/OpenAIDevs/status/2054298427245441141?s=20
Spark Mail released a CLI and an extensive set of agent skills. The design is incredibly clever and powerful for anyone who struggles with controlling their email.
More on MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/reviews/spark-mail-adds-a-mac-cli-and-agent-skills/
Excellent in-depth story from Devon Dundee about the new immersive Real Madrid documentary for the Vision Pro. It really sounds like it captures the excitement of the match it covers.
Today on AppStories, @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net and I challenge each other to each try three new apps and report back on the results.
We'll be checking in each week and round up the results after WWDC.
Check it out here:
🎧 https://apple.co/48OW3ro
📺 https://youtu.be/oSw36dV831k
Then for subscribers in the AS+ post-show, aspirational apps and OS features we wish we used more, but don't. https://www.macstories.net/appstories-plans/
Today on AppStories, Federico explains what the Notion Developer Platform is all about before we dive into our macOS 27 wishes.
🎧 https://apple.co/4uqqrkl
📺 https://youtu.be/DOcHF_qANgo
Then on the post-show for AppStories+, Federico goes into the technical details behind Shortcuts Playground.
https://www.macstories.net/appstories-plans/?utm_source=ms&utm_medium=web
big day
I've tried a ton of dictation apps and Monologue stands out for its speed to start recording, Apple Watch app, and as Federico covers in depth today, its CLI.
More on MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/notes/monologue-notes-cli/
Two ends of the AI slop spectrum and what it means to the web. A look at recent experiences I had researching on the web for MacStories Weekly: https://www.macstories.net/club/macstories-weekly-issue-512/#is-ai-slop-on-the-web-more-of-the-same-or-different
You could say we were horsing around on Unwind today.
- 🐷 NC East v. West BBQ
- 🐴🏖️ Horses on the beach
- 👶 Margot's Got Money Troubles
- 👩⚕️The Pitt
- 💿 Enter Shikari and The Maine
Today for MacStories Weekly 510, I shared my current iPhone Home screen, which has changed a lot over the past year.
https://www.macstories.net/club/macstories-weekly-issue-510/home-screen-john/
Great story by Jason Snell on Six Colors yesterday about what it means to. be a developer in 2026. I've been thinking about this a lot, too, and piled on with a few of my own thoughts on MacStories:
https://www.macstories.net/linked/decoding-developer-in-a-changing-app-landscape/
Apple has chosen an excellent group of apps as its 2026 Apple Design Award winners.
More on MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/news/2026-apple-design-awards-winners-announced/
Today on MacStories Unwind Federico and I cover the gear we plan to take with us to WWDC, plus a great movie and a bunch of TV comedies.
It's been a busy week on MacStories. Don't miss this gem of an app that I reviewed earlier this week... https://www.macstories.net/reviews/book-beats-reading-to-the-rhythm/
Also from @viticci@mastodon.macstories.net today for Club MacStories members, some excellent examples of how he builds hybrid automation systems using Codex. Included are:
📘 Details on how to automatically tag Matter read-later articles
🗣️ Automatic processing of dictated Monologue notes and
✉️ Saving pinned Spark Mail messages to Reminders
https://www.macstories.net/club/automate-everything-on-macos-with-codex/
🦚 Federico delivers one of the wildest Italian animal kingdom stories yet on today's MacStories Unwind.
This week we have an AppStories automation classic. Federico and I share our wishes for Siri, Shortcuts, App Intents, and Apple Intelligence in one big episode.
Then for subscribers we discuss out research workflow plans for beta season.
I'm a big fan of the RG Rotate, which we cover on today's NPC. Its first real test will be my trip to WWDC later this week.
🎧 https://apple.co/4vntSs6
📺 https://youtuvideogamepa0gxE
Also, on NPC XL this week for Patreon supporters, @brendonbigley@mastodon.social tells the origin story behind the great new videogame news site he launched this week: overwold.vg.
For the Club MacStories May Monthly Log, I wrote about how my Obsidian writing setup has evolved to encompass multiple vaults and apps like Antinote, Notion, and Panda.
This week on MacStories Unwind, we talk about what makes WWDC special, share some memorable moments from past years, and think about how to spend our in-flight downtime.
It's June, which means new Arcade games, new shows on Apple TV, F1 races, and baseball.
Details and calendar links on MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/news/coming-soon-whats-next-on-apple-tv-and-apple-arcade-in-june-2026/
Earlier today, I spoke to Apple's Susan Prescott and two of the Swift Student Challenge Winners about their experiences with the contest and excitement about WWDC. More on MacStories:
https://www.macstories.net/news/a-look-at-apples-2026-swift-student-challenge-winners/
RE: @npc@mastodon.macstories.net
Every week is weird on NPC, but this one is a classic of strange handhelds working hard to get attention in a tough economic environment. If you can’t get RAM, get weird.
