The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

AppStories

This week, Federico and I consider the differences between assistive and generative AI and cover the sort of automation tasks for which assistive AI is useful.

On AppStories+, I share my skepticism about the utility of Apple’s rumored home hub device.

NPC: Next Portable Console

Tencent and Intel announce a huge handheld, Sony is taking its time, reviewers share early hands-on testing of the Ayn Odin Portal, the Miyoo Mini Flip is spotted across the Internet, Samsung files an intriguing portable gaming patent, and a new eGPU is on the way. Plus, Brendon revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP, Federico has a mini-surprise, and Federico and I share oue first impressions of the Retroid Pocket 5.

AppStories, Episode 414, ‘Assistive AI Automation Tools’ 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.

Apple’s Rumored Home Hub

Apple to Launch AI-Powered Home ‘Command Center’ as Soon as March 2025

Apple’s first smart display needs to make the smart home just work

Main Show - Assistive Versus Generative AI

Context, Consent, and Control: The Three C’s of Data Participation in the Age of AI

What Is Agentic AI?

AI Companies Need to Be Regulated: An Open Letter to the U.S. Congress and European Parliament

Apple’s Commitment to AI Is Clear, But Its Execution Is Uneven

Apple Frames 3.3 Adds Support for iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, M4 iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Series 10 (feat. An Unexpected Technical Detour)

ChatGPT’s Last Mile Solution for Apple Frames: ImageMagick

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 14, ‘Putting the ‘P’ in Portable’ Show Notes

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

An NPC reader poll

Which will be first a Steam Deck console or Xbox handheld

Mastodon: Steam Deck Console first (57% to 43%)

Threads: An Xbox handheld will be first (73% to 27%)

Tencent and Intel Announce the Sunday Dragon 3D One

News about Sony’s upcoming handheld from Bloomberg

Ayn Odin Portal first impressions are out

Retro Game Corps - First Impressions

The Miyoo Flip Returns

Surfaced images of the carrying case, final hardware, and packaging

11 Anbernic Handhelds in 2024

Samsung Patents Foldable Gaming Handheld Design

AOOSTAR AG02 EGPU Dock with OCulink/USB4 Port，Built-in Huntkey 500W Power Supply

Topics

Brendon Revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP

Anbernic RG35XXSP

Anbernic RG351P

Into the Aether - GBA episode

Federico’s Surprise

White Steam Deck

Retroid Pocket 5 First Impressions

Retroid Pocket 5

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.