This week, John explains the art of the Southern storytelling with an example, reminding Federico to touch grass before sharing a classic movie deal and previewing some of the perks coming next week with his iOS and iPadOS 26 review.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Two Beady Eyes Staring At Me

• Skunks

Unwind Deal

• The Prestige for $4.99 in Apple’s TV app.

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This week, the weather has begun to change, coyotes are on the loose, and John shares his running tech. Plus Federico has a TV comedy for listeners, and John has a superhero movie pick.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

John’s Running Kit

• Apple Watch Ultra 1
• Beats Fit Pro

Picks

• Federico’s Pick:
• Hacks
• Stream on HBO Max
• Buy
• John’s Pick:
• Thunderbolts
• Stream on Disney+
• Buy

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This week, John and Federico return from break to chat about how they spent their time off, the new MacStories Deals social accounts, two sports-related comedies, and a great deal on a favorite TV series.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Summer Break and MacStories Deals

• MacStories Deals returns after seven years
• Follow it on Mastodon or Bluesky:
• Mastodon: https://mastodon.macstories.net/@MacStoriesDeals#.
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/macstoriesdeals.macstories.net

Picks

• John’s Pick:
• Stick on Apple TV+
• Federico’s Pick:
• Running Point on Netflix

Unwind Deal

Futurama, Seasons 1–10 for $24.99

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This week, John is joined by Jonathan Reed to recap the watchOS 26 public beta, and share a trio of comedies old an new, along with Brendon Bigley’s new project and a classic monster movie deal.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

A watchOS 26 Preview

• watchOS 26 The MacStories Public Beta Preview

Picks

• Jonathan’s Picks:
• The Naked Gun (original movie) and the new version starring Liam Neeson
• King of the Hill on Hulu/Disney+
• Platonic on Apple TV+
• John’s Pick:
• Wavelengths
• Announcement Post: Wavelengths 2.0 A Podcast and a Patreon

Unwind Deal

• Godzilla Minus One Minus Color (49.99 down from $14.99)

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This week, Federico recounts his trip to London to see Oasis play Wembley Stadium, and John recommends the new Fantastic Four movie plus a great deal on a classic comedy.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Unplugged Segment

Picks

• Federico’s Pick:
• Oasis Live at Wembley Stadium
• John’s Pick:
• Fantastic Four: First Steps

Unwind Deal

Warm up for Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix with the original:

Happy Gilmore, released in 1996, is available in the TV app for just $7.99

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This week, John struggles to update an old Apple TV and two HomePod minis, Federico sets up OTA TV, and they both go bananas over Donkey Kong Bananza.

Also available on YouTube here.

This episode is sponsored by:

• Hello Weather: The Exceptionally Useful Weather App for iOS, Totally Redesigned for 2025

Links and Show Notes

Unplugged Topics

• John struggles to update an Apple TV and HomePod minis
• Federico installs an HDHomeRun for OTA TV

Picks

• John and Federico’s Joint Pick:
• Donkey Kong Bananza

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This week, Federico’s return to Apple system apps has ended and new workflow experiments have begun. Plus, John shares a dark comedy, and Federico has an anti-pick.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Federico’s Evolving Workflow: MCP and More

• Mentioned:
• HyperContext
• Longplay
• Longplay for Mac Launches with Powerful AI and Shortcuts Integration
• Longplay comes to the Mac

Picks

• John’s Pick:
• Friendship
• Federico’s Anti-Pick:
• The Bear, Season 4

Unwind Deal

• Note: Sadly since recording, Zombieland has returned to $14.99 but is still available as a $3.99 rental.

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This week, Federico and John discuss the updates to their work and play tech gear setups.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Our Gear Setups

• Federico’s Pick:
• ASUS ROG PG27UCDM monitor with built-in KVM
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Mac Studio
• Coiled USB-C to USB-C Cable
• Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Controller
• Viture Pro XR glasses
• Viture Mobile dock
• John’s Pick:
• Arylic LP10 AirPlay 2 Wireless Music Streamer
• GL.iNet GL-BE3600 (Slate 7) Portable Travel Router
• tomtoc Sling Bag Crossbody Backpack
• MOFT Invisible Laptop Stand

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This week, automation crimes, HomeKit Gardens, tattoo crime shows, and videogames. It’s a packed episode, just in time for the long holiday weekend in the U.S.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Automation and HomeKit Crimes

• HomeKit-Compatible Kasa Smart Plugs
• HDHomeRun
• Love Island (USA and Italy)
• ‘Montoya, por favor!’ the viral Spanish clip that could change reality TV for ever Television The Guardian
• ‘Montoya Por Favor!’

Picks

• John’s Pick:
• Blindspot on Netflix
• Federico’s Picks:
• Mario Kart World
• Fast Fusion
• Fantasy Life i

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This week, Federico and John dig into MacStories’ big infrastructure update, John tours Wilmington, NC TV locations, and they both have TV, movie, and music picks, plus two movie deals.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Unplugged Segment

• MacStories gets an under-the-hood makeover
• Wilmington, NC TV
• Dawson’s Creek
• One Tree Hill
• The Waterfront on Netflix

Picks

• Federico’s Pick:
• Idols by Yungblud
• And Just Like That, Season 3 on HBO
• John’s Pick:
• Mountainhead on HBO

Unwind Deal

• Independence Day and Independence Day Resurgence 2-Pack $7.99 instead of $24.99
• Furiosa Black and Chrome Edition - $4.99 usually $20

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