MacStories Unwind

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 Leave Feedback for John and Federico MacStories Unwind Feedback Form Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky MacStories Unwind MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Affiliate Linking Policy

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) Leave Feedback for John and Federico MacStories Unwind Feedback Form Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky MacStories Unwind MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Affiliate Linking Policy

Federico shares his electrifying experience at an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium, highlighting the unmatched energy and sound quality. The discussion touches on the band's evolution and the nostalgia of live music today. John dives into the new 'Fantastic Four: First Steps,' praising its retro vibe, and they both reminisce about the classic comedy 'Happy Gilmore,' now available on Netflix. The conversation elegantly weaves together themes of generational musical connections and the resurgence of live performances in a post-pandemic world.

This week’s discussion dives into the tech hurdles of updating an Apple TV and HomePod minis, highlighting mishaps with connectivity and AirPlay. Federico unpacks the setup of an HDHomeRun for OTA TV, adding a tech-savvy twist to living room entertainment. In a nostalgic turn, both hosts rave about Donkey Kong Bananza, unpacking its gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals. The blend of modern gaming adventures with retro flair keeps the conversation lively, exploring the fine line between user patience and technological advancements.

Federico dives into his evolving workflows with Apple apps, sharing his experiences with tools like Notion and Todoist. John reviews the dark comedy 'Friendship' from A24, praising its take on social struggles. They critique the sluggish pacing of 'The Bear,' advocating for improvements in the next season. The discussion also touches on the humor and horror blend in 'Zombieland,' making it a perfect Halloween watch. Tune in for insights on cloud connectivity and emerging AI-driven integrations too!

Federico and John dive into their updated tech gear setups, showcasing impressive gadgets like a 4K OLED monitor and KVM technology for seamless productivity. They chat about the benefits of coiled cables and their custom gaming rigs, revealing how a new controller enhances gameplay. The hosts also explore the buzz around XR glasses with '4K-like' displays and compare audio experiences with a new wireless streamer. Plus, they highlight essential travel tech, including a portable router and a sleek laptop stand for tech-savvy adventurers.

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 Leave Feedback for John and Federico MacStories Unwind Feedback Form Follow us on Mastodon MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Follow us on Bluesky MacStories Unwind MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Affiliate Linking Policy

This week, the hosts discuss a significant infrastructure upgrade for MacStories, improving performance and paving the way for new features. They reminisce about a recent trip to Wilmington, NC, visiting iconic locations from beloved TV shows like Dawson's Creek. The conversation covers music picks, including Yungblud's latest album and the new season of 'And Just Like That.' Listeners can look forward to intriguing movie deals just in time for the Fourth of July, with highlights like 'Independence Day' at a fantastic discount.

Join the discussion as the hosts delve into their experiences with macOS Tahoe, revealing a seamless upgrade journey. They explore Apple's cutting-edge transcription technology, outpacing older tools like Whisper. Transitioning to entertainment, they dissect the darkly comedic crime drama 'Your Friends and Neighbors,' and compare it to classics like 'Breaking Bad.' They also highlight 'Department Q' with its intriguing take on cold cases. Plus, catch exciting streaming deals on 'Daredevil' that showcase compelling character arcs!

John shares his journey of quitting Dropbox for Google Drive, tackling the challenges of transferring large files and the quirks of different cloud storage options. Federico reflects on the nostalgic farewell of 'Friends' and discusses its reunion special, while also critiquing the spin-off 'Joey' as a cautionary tale. The hosts recommend two films: 'The Order,' with its compelling true crime narrative, and 'Fountain of Youth,' which disappoints despite its star power. Tune in for laughs and thoughtful insights!