Earlier this week, OpenAI released ChatGPT agent, a new agentic model that combines the text-focused capabilities of Deep Research with the browser-based automation of Operator into a single, well, agent that can autonomously browse the web, read webpages, and interact with web apps. OpenAI describes the (lowercase) agent as ChatGPT having its own computer.
Ripping CDs and Using Spotify’s Local Files on iOS
I’ve always thought that one of Apple Music’s exclusive features compared to Spotify was the ability to play back your own music files as opposed to just streaming them. But what if I told you that Spotify’s app for the iPhone and iPad does support local music playback, and it’s actually even better than the...
Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing
Federico
JohnThis 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.
](https://cdn.macstories.net/banneras-1629219199428.png)
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AppStories Episode 445 - Imagining Apple’s Next Big Thing
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37:31
37:31
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Links and Show Notes
Two Random Hardware Recommendations
- Federico:
- John:
Things We’d Like to See Apple Do
- Assigning Apple Some Big Ticket Projects
- A Siri Chatbot
- A Shortcuts Helper Bot
- Apple Glasses
- OS Dictation Tools
- Rethinking iPadOS and macOS’s Relationship
- Acquisitions Apple Should Make
- What’s the Deal with Google Gemini?
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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 444 - Inside our Summertime Review Toolkits
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27:36
27:36
Links and Show Notes
Preparing for Review Season
- Apps Mentioned
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Testing Apple Notes’ Markdown Support
I’ve been playing around with the Notes app’s new Markdown import and export features in the iOS and iPadOS 26 developer betas and, much to my surprise, the functionality is more solid than I originally expected. For this week’s issue of the newsletter, I’m going to share a series of tips that have helped me...
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.
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 443 - Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More
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29:30
29:30
Links and Show Notes
Experimenting Across the New OSes
- Related Stories:
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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.
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 443 - Our OS 26 Experiments: iPad Podcasting, Reminders, and More
0:00
29:30
29:30
Links and Show Notes
Experimenting Across the New OSes
- Related Stories:
Leave Feedback for John and Federico
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Running SSH Scripts on My Mac Studio from the iPad Pro
As you can imagine, I’m pretty happy with the iPadOS 26 announcements from WWDC, and I’ve spent the past two weeks considering the fact that I’ll be working from my iPad Pro a lot over the coming months. It’s good to be home! But at the same time, I don’t want to completely give up...
Testing AirPods 4’s Beta Update and Improved Recording Quality for Voice Notes
Earlier today, I updated my AirPods 4’s firmware to the beta version, which Apple released yesterday. I was curious to play around with the software update for two reasons:
- AirPods are getting support for automatically pausing media playback when you fall asleep, and
- Apple is advertising improved “studio quality” recording on AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 with this update.
I’ll cut to the chase: while I haven’t been able to test sleep detection yet since I don’t take naps during the day, I think Apple delivered on its promise of improved voice recordings with AirPods.