Federico Viticci
@viticci.macstories.net
Founder and Editor-in-Chief @macstories.net. I write about iPad, iOS, indie apps, and making computers more fun.
I also co-host @appstories.macstories.net, a podcast about Apple and the world of apps, and @npc.macstories.net, a show about handhelds.
I also co-host @appstories.macstories.net, a podcast about Apple and the world of apps, and @npc.macstories.net, a show about handhelds.
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Federico Viticci
@viticci.macstories.net
· Dec 16
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,...
www.macstories.net
Here we go 🚀
Today, we're introducing the 2025 edition of MacStories Selects, our celebration of our favorite apps for Apple platforms.
I'm especially happy with our selections this year and proud to put the spotlight on the excellent work of indie devs.
Enjoy 🏆 www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
Today, we're introducing the 2025 edition of MacStories Selects, our celebration of our favorite apps for Apple platforms.
I'm especially happy with our selections this year and proud to put the spotlight on the excellent work of indie devs.
Enjoy 🏆 www.macstories.net/stories/macs...
Never thought I'd see this:
An official YouTube app for the Vision Pro! www.macstories.net/news/google-...
An official YouTube app for the Vision Pro! www.macstories.net/news/google-...
Google Releases YouTube App for Apple Vision Pro
Today, Google released the official YouTube app for visionOS. The app allows users to sign in to view their subscriptions, watch later queues, and playlists, and it supports native playback of regular...
www.macstories.net
February 12, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Never thought I'd see this:
An official YouTube app for the Vision Pro! www.macstories.net/news/google-...
An official YouTube app for the Vision Pro! www.macstories.net/news/google-...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
This is a great gem of an app that I stumbled across recently.
Dot is a menu bar calendar app that combines a modern design with a great core set of features.
www.macstories.net/reviews/dot-...
Dot is a menu bar calendar app that combines a modern design with a great core set of features.
www.macstories.net/reviews/dot-...
Dot: The Menu Bar Calendar That’s Become My Main Calendar
Over time, I've gravitated towards a two-calendar system on my Mac because I've never found an app where both the desktop app and the menu bar version meet all my needs. That's probably because my cal...
www.macstories.net
February 10, 2026 at 9:03 PM
This is a great gem of an app that I stumbled across recently.
Dot is a menu bar calendar app that combines a modern design with a great core set of features.
www.macstories.net/reviews/dot-...
Dot is a menu bar calendar app that combines a modern design with a great core set of features.
www.macstories.net/reviews/dot-...
Took the new Claude Code "fast mode" for a spin with my Shortcuts Playground.
A shortcut that typically generates in 10 minutes was done in 4; spent €11 in extra usage for it.
It's very expensive, and very fast for an Opus model.
platform.claude.com/docs/en/buil...
A shortcut that typically generates in 10 minutes was done in 4; spent €11 in extra usage for it.
It's very expensive, and very fast for an Opus model.
platform.claude.com/docs/en/buil...
February 7, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Took the new Claude Code "fast mode" for a spin with my Shortcuts Playground.
A shortcut that typically generates in 10 minutes was done in 4; spent €11 in extra usage for it.
It's very expensive, and very fast for an Opus model.
platform.claude.com/docs/en/buil...
A shortcut that typically generates in 10 minutes was done in 4; spent €11 in extra usage for it.
It's very expensive, and very fast for an Opus model.
platform.claude.com/docs/en/buil...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
I wrote an in-depth guide with some advanced OpenClaw tips I've picked up over the past few weeks:
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
Advanced Tips for OpenClaw: Credentials, Proactive Work, Automating Tasks, Memories, and More
Since I first wrote about ClawdBot MoltBot OpenClaw three weeks ago, I’ve only come to rely on this personal assistant more and more each day. My OpenClaw still runs on its own dedicated Mac mini (alt...
www.macstories.net
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I wrote an in-depth guide with some advanced OpenClaw tips I've picked up over the past few weeks:
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
In this week's Club @macstories.net Weekly column, I wrote about my experience with Apple's Icon Composer. Emphasis on 'Composer'.
www.macstories.net/club/exper...
Read this and more with a Club MacStories subscription: www.macstories.net/club/
www.macstories.net/club/exper...
Read this and more with a Club MacStories subscription: www.macstories.net/club/
Experiences with Apple’s Icon Composer
A couple of weeks ago, I talked about my experiences with Claude Code and how it enabled me to create my first iOS app. I was (and still am) unsure how I feel about AI being able to generate code from scratch, but I’m leaning towards it being a net gain. This week, I launched
www.macstories.net
February 6, 2026 at 11:43 PM
In this week's Club @macstories.net Weekly column, I wrote about my experience with Apple's Icon Composer. Emphasis on 'Composer'.
www.macstories.net/club/exper...
Read this and more with a Club MacStories subscription: www.macstories.net/club/
www.macstories.net/club/exper...
Read this and more with a Club MacStories subscription: www.macstories.net/club/
Reposted by Federico Viticci
🎧 📙 Today for MacStories Weekly 499, I shared a Claude Skill that I created for generating text-to-speech optimized article summaries.
www.macstories.net/club/macstor...
Also this week:
- 🦞 advanced OpenClaw tips from @viticci.macstories.net
- 📱 @jonathan.macstories.net on Apple's Icon Composer
www.macstories.net/club/macstor...
Also this week:
- 🦞 advanced OpenClaw tips from @viticci.macstories.net
- 📱 @jonathan.macstories.net on Apple's Icon Composer
MacStories Weekly: Issue 499
www.macstories.net
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 PM
🎧 📙 Today for MacStories Weekly 499, I shared a Claude Skill that I created for generating text-to-speech optimized article summaries.
www.macstories.net/club/macstor...
Also this week:
- 🦞 advanced OpenClaw tips from @viticci.macstories.net
- 📱 @jonathan.macstories.net on Apple's Icon Composer
www.macstories.net/club/macstor...
Also this week:
- 🦞 advanced OpenClaw tips from @viticci.macstories.net
- 📱 @jonathan.macstories.net on Apple's Icon Composer
I wrote an in-depth guide with some advanced OpenClaw tips I've picked up over the past few weeks:
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
Advanced Tips for OpenClaw: Credentials, Proactive Work, Automating Tasks, Memories, and More
Since I first wrote about ClawdBot MoltBot OpenClaw three weeks ago, I’ve only come to rely on this personal assistant more and more each day. My OpenClaw still runs on its own dedicated Mac mini (alt...
www.macstories.net
February 6, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I wrote an in-depth guide with some advanced OpenClaw tips I've picked up over the past few weeks:
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
- Secure credentials with 1Password CLI
- Managing memories
- Automate tasks with cron and Heartbeats
- Make OpenClaw do proactive work for you
Have fun: www.macstories.net/club/advance...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
Then on NPC XL for Patreon members, Federico, Brendon, and John chat about whether we're approaching the endgame for handheld consoles and wonder why no one has made much of a move to adapt their handhelds for the living room.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
The Handheld Endgame | Next Portable Console
Get more from Next Portable Console on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Then on NPC XL for Patreon members, Federico, Brendon, and John chat about whether we're approaching the endgame for handheld consoles and wonder why no one has made much of a move to adapt their handhelds for the living room.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/handhe...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
It's time for another episode of NPC: Next Portable Console. This week, the guys tackle a load of weird news from playing Game Boy games on e-readers and ordering pizza from a Wii in 2026, the upcoming Virtual Boy Switch 2 accessory.
🎧 apple.co/4kpQbt1
📺 youtu.be/gJ2zNmCFGtc
🎧 apple.co/4kpQbt1
📺 youtu.be/gJ2zNmCFGtc
Living in the Past: Wii Pizza and the Return of the Virtual Boy
Podcast Episode · NPC: Next Portable Console · 02/03/2026 · 24m
apple.co
February 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
It's time for another episode of NPC: Next Portable Console. This week, the guys tackle a load of weird news from playing Game Boy games on e-readers and ordering pizza from a Wii in 2026, the upcoming Virtual Boy Switch 2 accessory.
🎧 apple.co/4kpQbt1
📺 youtu.be/gJ2zNmCFGtc
🎧 apple.co/4kpQbt1
📺 youtu.be/gJ2zNmCFGtc
Reposted by Federico Viticci
MacStories One Week Later: An Update and a Look Ahead https://www.macstories.net/news/macstories-one-week-later-an-update-and-a-look-ahead/
MacStories One Week Later: An Update and a Look Ahead
A week ago, we merged Club MacStories and AppStories into MacStories.net. It was the culmination of months of work, which, along with a new tech stack we implemented last summer, allows us to iterate on MacStories faster. As with any large project, there were a few bumps along the way. However, we've been able to
www.macstories.net
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
MacStories One Week Later: An Update and a Look Ahead https://www.macstories.net/news/macstories-one-week-later-an-update-and-a-look-ahead/
"There are many good places for advertising. A conversation with Claude is not one of them."
Good for @anthropic.com: www.anthropic.com/news/claude-...
Good for @anthropic.com: www.anthropic.com/news/claude-...
Claude is a space to think | Anthropic
Anthropic explains why Claude will remain ad-free—how advertising incentives conflict with building a genuinely helpful AI assistant users can trust.
www.anthropic.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:59 PM
"There are many good places for advertising. A conversation with Claude is not one of them."
Good for @anthropic.com: www.anthropic.com/news/claude-...
Good for @anthropic.com: www.anthropic.com/news/claude-...
Apple is adding agentic coding features to Xcode 26.3 today. We saw a demo of Claude Code and Codex agents in action.
Details here: www.macstories.net/news/apples-...
Details here: www.macstories.net/news/apples-...
Apple’s Xcode 26.3 Release Candidate Adds Agentic Coding Tools for Developers
The Release Candidate of Xcode 26.3 is rolling out as we publish this with brand new agentic coding capabilities. With the update, developers can connect to either OpenAI's Codex or Anthropic's Claude...
www.macstories.net
February 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Apple is adding agentic coding features to Xcode 26.3 today. We saw a demo of Claude Code and Codex agents in action.
Details here: www.macstories.net/news/apples-...
Details here: www.macstories.net/news/apples-...
A genuine "whoa" moment with OpenClaw + my upcoming Shortcuts Playground today.
Overnight, OpenClaw built me a brand new CLI to track its own usage and cost (it does these things proactively).
I asked to make a shortcut for it. 5 minutes later, I had it in my Shortcuts app.
😳 @steipete.me
Overnight, OpenClaw built me a brand new CLI to track its own usage and cost (it does these things proactively).
I asked to make a shortcut for it. 5 minutes later, I had it in my Shortcuts app.
😳 @steipete.me
February 3, 2026 at 9:06 AM
A genuine "whoa" moment with OpenClaw + my upcoming Shortcuts Playground today.
Overnight, OpenClaw built me a brand new CLI to track its own usage and cost (it does these things proactively).
I asked to make a shortcut for it. 5 minutes later, I had it in my Shortcuts app.
😳 @steipete.me
Overnight, OpenClaw built me a brand new CLI to track its own usage and cost (it does these things proactively).
I asked to make a shortcut for it. 5 minutes later, I had it in my Shortcuts app.
😳 @steipete.me
Very happy to see a native Mac app for Codex – especially because it seems like it was built for parallel agents and lots of customization, plus a new collection of skills.
Excited to dig in. Our hands-on by @johnvoorhees.macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
Excited to dig in. Our hands-on by @johnvoorhees.macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
OpenAI Launches Codex, a Mac App for Agentic Coding
Today, OpenAI released Codex, a Mac app for building software. Here's how OpenAI describes the app in its announcement: The Codex app changes how software gets built and who can build it—from pairing ...
www.macstories.net
February 2, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Very happy to see a native Mac app for Codex – especially because it seems like it was built for parallel agents and lots of customization, plus a new collection of skills.
Excited to dig in. Our hands-on by @johnvoorhees.macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
Excited to dig in. Our hands-on by @johnvoorhees.macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/openai-...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
Today in the Cozy Zone, we tier listed *all* of the Star Wars movies and TV shows. Surely none of that will be controversial right?
// Cozy Zone is a bonus episode of Comfort Zone every week for $5/month macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... or $50/year macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... 🫶
// Cozy Zone is a bonus episode of Comfort Zone every week for $5/month macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... or $50/year macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... 🫶
February 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Today in the Cozy Zone, we tier listed *all* of the Star Wars movies and TV shows. Surely none of that will be controversial right?
// Cozy Zone is a bonus episode of Comfort Zone every week for $5/month macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... or $50/year macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... 🫶
// Cozy Zone is a bonus episode of Comfort Zone every week for $5/month macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... or $50/year macstories.memberful.com/checkout?pla... 🫶
Reposted by Federico Viticci
It's great to have our first new episode of AppStories+ appear on MacStories here: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app....
Today, @viticci.macstories.net and I conclude our series on recent projects and what we learned.
Then on the post-show for subscribers, we talk about Apple Creator Studio.
Today, @viticci.macstories.net and I conclude our series on recent projects and what we learned.
Then on the post-show for subscribers, we talk about Apple Creator Studio.
The Future of Apps in an AI-Coded World
This week, Federico and John update listeners on the ClawdBot-MoltBot-OpenClaw saga before digging into how AI will affect apps and app developers. On AppStories+, John covers why Creator Studio is su...
www.macstories.net
February 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
It's great to have our first new episode of AppStories+ appear on MacStories here: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app....
Today, @viticci.macstories.net and I conclude our series on recent projects and what we learned.
Then on the post-show for subscribers, we talk about Apple Creator Studio.
Today, @viticci.macstories.net and I conclude our series on recent projects and what we learned.
Then on the post-show for subscribers, we talk about Apple Creator Studio.
🤖 This week on @appstories.macstories.net: AI and the future of apps (plus some OpenClaw updates)
✨ In the post-show: how Creator Studio redefines 'Pro'
Episode out tomorrow, or available today (and ad-free) for AppStories+ subscribers.
🎧 Listen: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app...
✨ In the post-show: how Creator Studio redefines 'Pro'
Episode out tomorrow, or available today (and ad-free) for AppStories+ subscribers.
🎧 Listen: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app...
The Future of Apps in an AI-Coded World
This week, Federico and John update listeners on the ClawdBot-MoltBot-OpenClaw saga before digging into how AI will affect apps and app developers. On AppStories+, John covers why Creator Studio is su...
www.macstories.net
February 1, 2026 at 4:29 PM
🤖 This week on @appstories.macstories.net: AI and the future of apps (plus some OpenClaw updates)
✨ In the post-show: how Creator Studio redefines 'Pro'
Episode out tomorrow, or available today (and ad-free) for AppStories+ subscribers.
🎧 Listen: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app...
✨ In the post-show: how Creator Studio redefines 'Pro'
Episode out tomorrow, or available today (and ad-free) for AppStories+ subscribers.
🎧 Listen: www.macstories.net/podcasts/app...
Prompt ⇾ shortcut gets built for you ⇾ resume session ⇾ improve shortcut.
Added full support for session resume to my generative shortcut, which I'm calling Shortcuts Playground.
Going to be free, open source, and out soon for everyone on @macstories.net.
Added full support for session resume to my generative shortcut, which I'm calling Shortcuts Playground.
Going to be free, open source, and out soon for everyone on @macstories.net.
January 31, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Prompt ⇾ shortcut gets built for you ⇾ resume session ⇾ improve shortcut.
Added full support for session resume to my generative shortcut, which I'm calling Shortcuts Playground.
Going to be free, open source, and out soon for everyone on @macstories.net.
Added full support for session resume to my generative shortcut, which I'm calling Shortcuts Playground.
Going to be free, open source, and out soon for everyone on @macstories.net.
Reposted by Federico Viticci
I've been using Claude Code a lot, but I didn't want to be stuck on a Mac.
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
How I Use Claude Code Running on My Mac mini From the iPhone and iPad
Given what we've discussed on AppStories lately, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that I’ve been using Claude Code on my Mac mini home server a lot. And if you know me, you shouldn't be surprised ...
www.macstories.net
January 30, 2026 at 7:44 PM
I've been using Claude Code a lot, but I didn't want to be stuck on a Mac.
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
I've been using Claude Code a lot, but I didn't want to be stuck on a Mac.
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
How I Use Claude Code Running on My Mac mini From the iPhone and iPad
Given what we've discussed on AppStories lately, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that I’ve been using Claude Code on my Mac mini home server a lot. And if you know me, you shouldn't be surprised ...
www.macstories.net
January 30, 2026 at 7:44 PM
I've been using Claude Code a lot, but I didn't want to be stuck on a Mac.
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
So I wrote a tutorial and shared my setup for using Claude Code running on a Mac/PC from an iPhone or iPad with session persistence.
Enjoy: www.macstories.net/club/how-i-u...
The new @anthropic.com Cowork plugins are interesting (if only slightly confusing due to all the features' names).
I took an existing one and asked Claude to modify itself to use Todoist and Notion MCPs instead. It worked! More examples of user-editable AI workspaces 🤔
claude.com/blog/cowork-...
I took an existing one and asked Claude to modify itself to use Todoist and Notion MCPs instead. It worked! More examples of user-editable AI workspaces 🤔
claude.com/blog/cowork-...
January 30, 2026 at 7:34 PM
The new @anthropic.com Cowork plugins are interesting (if only slightly confusing due to all the features' names).
I took an existing one and asked Claude to modify itself to use Todoist and Notion MCPs instead. It worked! More examples of user-editable AI workspaces 🤔
claude.com/blog/cowork-...
I took an existing one and asked Claude to modify itself to use Todoist and Notion MCPs instead. It worked! More examples of user-editable AI workspaces 🤔
claude.com/blog/cowork-...
The prompt VS the result 😎
I think this system I've created is ready to go. And this isn't even the most advanced shortcut I've created with it.
Time to write this up!
I think this system I've created is ready to go. And this isn't even the most advanced shortcut I've created with it.
Time to write this up!
January 30, 2026 at 8:47 AM
The prompt VS the result 😎
I think this system I've created is ready to go. And this isn't even the most advanced shortcut I've created with it.
Time to write this up!
I think this system I've created is ready to go. And this isn't even the most advanced shortcut I've created with it.
Time to write this up!
Reposted by Federico Viticci
Apple made a lot of money. Details on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/apple-r....
January 29, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Apple made a lot of money. Details on @macstories.net: www.macstories.net/news/apple-r....
Reposted by Federico Viticci
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, Federico shares his early experiences emulating PC games on the Ayn Odin 3.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
Brute Forcing the Steam Deck Dream | Next Portable Console
Get more from Next Portable Console on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Then on XL for Patreon subscribers, Federico shares his early experiences emulating PC games on the Ayn Odin 3.
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
🎧 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
📺 www.patreon.com/posts/brute-...
Reposted by Federico Viticci
The latest NPC is out! This week Federico and John go it alone while Brendon is away covering Game Pass on ARM, an avalanche of AYANEO announcements, and why the TrimUI Brick Pro has shot up their most-anticipated handheld list for 2026.
🎧 apple.co/49PL5kM
📺 youtu.be/jexNK8k21_Q
🎧 apple.co/49PL5kM
📺 youtu.be/jexNK8k21_Q
A Bigger Brick and AYANEO Overload
Podcast Episode · NPC: Next Portable Console · 01/27/2026 · 28m
apple.co
January 27, 2026 at 8:23 PM
The latest NPC is out! This week Federico and John go it alone while Brendon is away covering Game Pass on ARM, an avalanche of AYANEO announcements, and why the TrimUI Brick Pro has shot up their most-anticipated handheld list for 2026.
🎧 apple.co/49PL5kM
📺 youtu.be/jexNK8k21_Q
🎧 apple.co/49PL5kM
📺 youtu.be/jexNK8k21_Q