John Voorhees
@johnvoorhees.macstories.net
I write and podcast at MacStories.net with @viticci.macstories.net and the MacStories team where we cover Apple, apps, videogames, and more.
My podcasts: @appstories.macstories.net, @npc.macstories.net, @unwind.macstories.net, and @ruminate.macstories.net
My podcasts: @appstories.macstories.net, @npc.macstories.net, @unwind.macstories.net, and @ruminate.macstories.net
Reposted by John Voorhees
Connected 584: Musical Deck Chairs
The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.
http://relay.fm/connected/584
The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.
http://relay.fm/connected/584
Connected #584: Musical Deck Chairs - Relay
The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.
relay.fm
January 1, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Connected 584: Musical Deck Chairs
The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.
http://relay.fm/connected/584
The usual guys give out some new and prestigious awards, score their past competitions, and put pride on the line to predict what will happen in 2026.
http://relay.fm/connected/584
Earlier this year, @twostraws.bsky.social asked me about app marketing for his book Everything but the Code. The book is an excellent resource on everything surrounding the making of apps.
Here's an extended version of my contributions on @macstories.net.
www.macstories.net/linked/app-m...
Here's an extended version of my contributions on @macstories.net.
www.macstories.net/linked/app-m...
App Marketing: My Extended Q&A for Paul Hudson’s Everything but the Code
Earlier this year, Paul Hudson asked me to answer a few questions about app marketing for a book he was writing called Everything But the Code. The book is finished now, and it’s full of great advice ...
www.macstories.net
December 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Earlier this year, @twostraws.bsky.social asked me about app marketing for his book Everything but the Code. The book is an excellent resource on everything surrounding the making of apps.
Here's an extended version of my contributions on @macstories.net.
www.macstories.net/linked/app-m...
Here's an extended version of my contributions on @macstories.net.
www.macstories.net/linked/app-m...
Today, for the Club MacStories Monthly Log, I wrote about why I've become a fan of Notion - spoiler, automation has a lot to do with it.
The backstory and a preview of some of the Notion-centric tools I've built over the holidays in today's newsletter:
club.macstories.net/posts/why-i-...
The backstory and a preview of some of the Notion-centric tools I've built over the holidays in today's newsletter:
club.macstories.net/posts/why-i-...
Why I Came Around on Notion
club.macstories.net
December 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Today, for the Club MacStories Monthly Log, I wrote about why I've become a fan of Notion - spoiler, automation has a lot to do with it.
The backstory and a preview of some of the Notion-centric tools I've built over the holidays in today's newsletter:
club.macstories.net/posts/why-i-...
The backstory and a preview of some of the Notion-centric tools I've built over the holidays in today's newsletter:
club.macstories.net/posts/why-i-...
Reposted by John Voorhees
All 6 seasons of the hit HBO comedy for $39.99 in the TV app.
Affiliate link: tv.apple.com/us/boxset/si...
Affiliate link: tv.apple.com/us/boxset/si...
December 24, 2025 at 12:06 AM
All 6 seasons of the hit HBO comedy for $39.99 in the TV app.
Affiliate link: tv.apple.com/us/boxset/si...
Affiliate link: tv.apple.com/us/boxset/si...
Reposted by John Voorhees
Podcast Rewind: Apps in 2026 and The Best Handhelds of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-apps-in-2026-and-the-best-handhelds-of-the-year/
Podcast Rewind: Apps in 2026 and The Best Handhelds of the Year
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories??? family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John look ahead to 2026 and what it will mean for apps, smarter Siri, and more. On AppStories+, Federico and John update listeners on their latest app experiments and holiday hardware projects. NPC: Next Portable Console This week, Brendon, Federico, and...
www.macstories.net
December 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Podcast Rewind: Apps in 2026 and The Best Handhelds of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-apps-in-2026-and-the-best-handhelds-of-the-year/
Reposted by John Voorhees
It's time once again for the annual HOTY (Handheld of the Year) Awards!
It's been a wild year for handhelds, and this week, we each pick a personal HOTY and an NPC Official HOTY.
🎧 apple.co/49p15eG
📺 youtu.be/L1W_vIUa87Y
It's been a wild year for handhelds, and this week, we each pick a personal HOTY and an NPC Official HOTY.
🎧 apple.co/49p15eG
📺 youtu.be/L1W_vIUa87Y
The 2025 Handhelds of the Year Awards
Podcast Episode · NPC: Next Portable Console · 12/23/2025 · 38m
apple.co
December 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
It's time once again for the annual HOTY (Handheld of the Year) Awards!
It's been a wild year for handhelds, and this week, we each pick a personal HOTY and an NPC Official HOTY.
🎧 apple.co/49p15eG
📺 youtu.be/L1W_vIUa87Y
It's been a wild year for handhelds, and this week, we each pick a personal HOTY and an NPC Official HOTY.
🎧 apple.co/49p15eG
📺 youtu.be/L1W_vIUa87Y
Reposted by John Voorhees
Then on NPC XL for Patreon members we share runners up and the trends we're expecting to see next year.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
What’s Next for Handhelds in 2026? | Next Portable Console
Get more from Next Portable Console on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Then on NPC XL for Patreon members we share runners up and the trends we're expecting to see next year.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/whats-...
Today on MacStories Unwind, @viticci.macstories.net and I close out 2025 with our favorite music of the year gone by.
🎧 apple.co/4ar3YfY
📺 youtu.be/evgY-aU05dA
🎧 apple.co/4ar3YfY
📺 youtu.be/evgY-aU05dA
The Best Music of 2025
Podcast Episode · MacStories Unwind · 12/19/2025 · 23m
apple.co
December 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Today on MacStories Unwind, @viticci.macstories.net and I close out 2025 with our favorite music of the year gone by.
🎧 apple.co/4ar3YfY
📺 youtu.be/evgY-aU05dA
🎧 apple.co/4ar3YfY
📺 youtu.be/evgY-aU05dA
Today for Club MacStories members in MacStories Weekly, I wrote about why I feel let down by Apple's Studio Display. club.macstories.net/posts/rethin...
Rethinking the Studio Display
club.macstories.net
December 19, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Today for Club MacStories members in MacStories Weekly, I wrote about why I feel let down by Apple's Studio Display. club.macstories.net/posts/rethin...
Reposted by John Voorhees
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update
John: As 2025 comes to an end, Federico and I thought we???d cap off the year with a final update on our setups. We just went through this in November, but both Federico and I decided to take advantage of Black Friday sales to improve our setups in very different ways. Let???s take a look....
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update https://www.macstories.net/linked/our-final-2025-macstories-setups-update/
Dawn of a new app era? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it sure will be an interesting 2026.
I used ChatGPT to create an Apple Music playlist from the setlist of a Replacements show I saw 40 years ago.
More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
I used ChatGPT to create an Apple Music playlist from the setlist of a Replacements show I saw 40 years ago.
More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
OpenAI Opens Up ChatGPT App Submissions to Developers
Announced earlier this year at OpenAI’s DevDay, developers may now submit ChatGPT apps for review and publication. OpenAI’s blog post explains that: Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in ne...
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Dawn of a new app era? Maybe yes, maybe no, but it sure will be an interesting 2026.
I used ChatGPT to create an Apple Music playlist from the setlist of a Replacements show I saw 40 years ago.
More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
I used ChatGPT to create an Apple Music playlist from the setlist of a Replacements show I saw 40 years ago.
More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
With Black Friday behind us, @viticci.macstories.net and I thought we'd share one final update to our 2025 setups: www.macstories.net/linked/our-f...
Full setups here: www.macstories.net/setups/
Full setups here: www.macstories.net/setups/
Our Final 2025 MacStories Setups Update
John: As 2025 comes to an end, Federico and I thought we’d cap off the year with a final update on our setups. We just went through this in November, but both Federico and I decided to take advantage ...
www.macstories.net
December 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM
With Black Friday behind us, @viticci.macstories.net and I thought we'd share one final update to our 2025 setups: www.macstories.net/linked/our-f...
Full setups here: www.macstories.net/setups/
Full setups here: www.macstories.net/setups/
I tried a new robot vacuum/mop from Narwal after many years with a Roomba and it's pretty great. My review on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/reviews/two-...
Two Months with the Narwal Freo X10 Pro
In the depths of the pandemic, I bought an iRobot Roomba j7 vacuum. At the time, it was one of the nicer models iRobot offered, but it was expensive. It did a passable job in areas with few obstacles,...
www.macstories.net
December 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I tried a new robot vacuum/mop from Narwal after many years with a Roomba and it's pretty great. My review on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/reviews/two-...
Reposted by John Voorhees
welcome back sony xperia play
December 16, 2025 at 7:13 PM
welcome back sony xperia play
Reposted by John Voorhees
On NPC, we cover AYANEO's phone, a new Strix Halo tablet and @johnvoorhees.macstories.net' plunge into the world of Bazzite.
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
New Phones and Tablets Take Aim at Portable Gaming
Podcast Episode · NPC: Next Portable Console · 12/16/2025 · 27m
apple.co
December 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
On NPC, we cover AYANEO's phone, a new Strix Halo tablet and @johnvoorhees.macstories.net' plunge into the world of Bazzite.
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
🎧 apple.co/3YuvIcf
📺 youtu.be/_hs64ixhx4E
Reposted by John Voorhees
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, @viticci.macstories.net get's a Mini PC too and @bb.wavelengths.online embarks on an iPod quest.
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
Bazzite Boxes and Rockboxed Bricks | Next Portable Console
Get more from Next Portable Console on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, @viticci.macstories.net get's a Mini PC too and @bb.wavelengths.online embarks on an iPod quest.
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
www.patreon.com/posts/bazzit...
Special thanks to @revenuecat.com for sponsoring this year's MacStories Selects Awards. They've done a lot of great work in the indie community, which made them perfect to team up with for the awards. www.revenuecat.com?utm_medium=s...
In-App Subscriptions Made Easy – RevenueCat
The world’s best apps use RevenueCat to power in-app purchases, manage customer data, and grow revenue across iOS, Android, and the web.
www.revenuecat.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Special thanks to @revenuecat.com for sponsoring this year's MacStories Selects Awards. They've done a lot of great work in the indie community, which made them perfect to team up with for the awards. www.revenuecat.com?utm_medium=s...
It's time for the 2025 MacStories Selects Awards! Visit @macstories.net to learn more!
MacStories Selects 2025: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-selects-2025-recognizing-the-best-apps-of-the-year/
MacStories Selects 2025: Recognizing the Best Apps of the Year
John:??2025 was a different sort of year for apps, which is reflected in this year???s MacStories Selects Awards winners. App innovation comes from many places. Sometimes it???s new Apple APIs or hardware, and other times it???s broader shifts in the tech world. [aside pre_title=???Supported By??? title=???RevenueCat??? align=???center??? width=???narrow???] RevenueCat: The easiest way to add in-app...
www.macstories.net
December 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It's time for the 2025 MacStories Selects Awards! Visit @macstories.net to learn more!
This year's MacStories Selects Lifetime Achievement Award goes to @unread.app!
The MacStories Selects 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-macstories-selects-2025-lifetime-achievement-award/
The MacStories Selects 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Unread In the 16 years that I???ve been writing for MacStories, I???ve seen my fair share of new apps that have come and gone. Apps that promised to revolutionize a particular segment of the App Store were eventually acquired, discontinued, or simply abandoned. It???s been very unusual to witness an indie app survive in a...
www.macstories.net
December 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This year's MacStories Selects Lifetime Achievement Award goes to @unread.app!
Reposted by John Voorhees
Tomorrow, the winners will be revealed…
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
December 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Tomorrow, the winners will be revealed…
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
It's time, once again, for the annual MacStories Selects Awards! 🏆 🎉
Reposted by John Voorhees
📆 Scheduling Note:
AppStories will be out a little later than usual this week. It's a special one that we think you'll enjoy, so stay tuned.
AppStories will be out a little later than usual this week. It's a special one that we think you'll enjoy, so stay tuned.
December 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
📆 Scheduling Note:
AppStories will be out a little later than usual this week. It's a special one that we think you'll enjoy, so stay tuned.
AppStories will be out a little later than usual this week. It's a special one that we think you'll enjoy, so stay tuned.
Reposted by John Voorhees
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-vibe-coded-tools-reading-the-steam-tea-leaves-new-keyboard-layouts-and-the-best-videogames-of-the-year/
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year
Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories??? family of podcasts: AppStories This week, Federico and John explain how they go about creating personal productivity tools with the assistance of AI and walk through some of what they have created. On AppStories+, we talk about our Black Friday tech purchases. NPC: Next Portable Console This week, AYANEO...
www.macstories.net
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Podcast Rewind: Vibe Coded Tools, Reading the Steam Tea Leaves, New Keyboard Layouts, and the Best Videogames of the Year https://www.macstories.net/news/podcast-rewind-vibe-coded-tools-reading-the-steam-tea-leaves-new-keyboard-layouts-and-the-best-videogames-of-the-year/
Reposted by John Voorhees
Today on Unwind, we share our favorite videogames of 2025, along with a special movie deal.
apple.co/44ttGga
apple.co/44ttGga
Best Videogames of 2025
Podcast Episode · MacStories Unwind · 12/12/2025 · 25m
apple.co
December 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Today on Unwind, we share our favorite videogames of 2025, along with a special movie deal.
apple.co/44ttGga
apple.co/44ttGga
Today for MacStories Weekly, I wrote about easy ways you can support your favorite developers, YouTubers, writers, and podcasters and explained how Claude's world knowledge can be used as a fuzzy filter for large data sets.
club.macstories.net/posts/easy-w...
club.macstories.net/posts/how-us...
club.macstories.net/posts/easy-w...
club.macstories.net/posts/how-us...
Easy Ways To Support Your Favorite Creators
club.macstories.net
December 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Today for MacStories Weekly, I wrote about easy ways you can support your favorite developers, YouTubers, writers, and podcasters and explained how Claude's world knowledge can be used as a fuzzy filter for large data sets.
club.macstories.net/posts/easy-w...
club.macstories.net/posts/how-us...
club.macstories.net/posts/easy-w...
club.macstories.net/posts/how-us...
Alyx is a great new way to monitor your caffeine intake. More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/reviews/alyx...
Alyx: A Fun, Flexible Way to Track Caffeine Intake
Alyx is a new caffeine tracking app for the iPhone by Jordan Morgan that’s simple, fun, and flexible all at once. It’s a great example of marrying Apple’s latest design language with recent technologi...
www.macstories.net
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Alyx is a great new way to monitor your caffeine intake. More on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/reviews/alyx...