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Episode 434May 4, 2025

Our 2025 iOS and iPadOS WWDC Wishes

This week, Federico and John begin their annual look at what they’d like to see Apple announce at WWDC 2025, starting with iOS and iPadOS 19.

On AppStories+, John explains why the recent contempt order entered against Apple is a bigger deal than most people realize, on multiple levels.



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AppStories Episode 434Our 2025 iOS and iPadOS WWDC Wishes

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Episode 433April 27, 2025

Tackling Trackers

This week, Federico and John tackle tracking apps. From database apps to media trackers, they consider what makes a good tracking app no matter what you’re tracking.

On AppStories+, Federico quizzes John about what’s on his desk, the tech he’d be happy to have a burgler steal, and more.



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AppStories Episode 433Tackling Trackers

0:0035:23

This episode is sponsored by:

  • WaterMinder – The Best Water Tracker App for Your Hydration Needs!

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Episode 432April 20, 2025

How We're Using AI

This week, Federico and John revisit the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence to describe how they’re 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.



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AppStories Episode 432How We're Using AI

0:0054:14

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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Episode 431April 13, 2025

Time for Calendars

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.



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AppStories Episode 431Time for Calendars

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Episode 430April 6, 2025

Return of the Utility Grab Bag

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.



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AppStories Episode 430Return of the Utility Grab Bag

0:0030:37

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

Our Favorite Utilities

Menu Bar Tangent



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Episode 429March 30, 2025

Pick 3: Automations

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.



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AppStories Episode 429Pick 3: Automations

0:0039:42

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Episode 428March 23, 2025

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

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.



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AppStories Episode 428From Dashboard Widgets to Breaking News: Mark Gurman's Path to Bloomberg

0:0046:54

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.

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Episode 427March 16, 2025

Shortcuts Utility Apps Revisited

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.



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AppStories Episode 427Shortcuts Utility Apps Revisited

0:0032:26

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.

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Episode 426March 9, 2025

Our Self-Imposed Tech Deadlines

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.



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AppStories Episode 426Our Self-Imposed Tech Deadlines

0:0035:24

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Easy-to-Use Reliable Membership Software

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Episode 425March 2, 2025

The Missing Middle

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.



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AppStories Episode 425The Missing Middle

0:0032:14

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.

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