John Voorhees

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Last Notes

2026-07-14 10:38:33 UTC

The Siri app in Golden Gate has potential for tasks like quickly converting text from one format to another - here Markdown to rich text - but currently the copy button which you get on hover doesn't work and the share button shares the document as a PDF.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodonmacstoriesnet/media_attachments/files/116/917/895/893/647/553/original/e2810f0556b2e1d6.png

2026-07-13 21:10:47 UTC

Next up, macOS Golden Gate - my beat. The public beta is out now:
- Liquid Glass feels more at home,
- It's much faster, and
- Siri AI is capable but a little rough.
https://www.macstories.net/stories/macos-27-golden-gate-the-macstories-public-beta-preview/
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodonmacstoriesnet/media_attachments/files/116/914/719/695/290/194/original/d03b9bcd84737cf7.jpeg

2026-06-25 17:55:27 UTC

I'm sensing a pattern. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/25/xbox-console-price-update/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_tw_Text_lrn_6.25.2

2026-06-18 14:44:46 UTC

Some Photos + Apple Intelligence examples from iOS 27 beta 1:
Extending a photo seems to be more than a generative AI thing based on the fact that the AirPods in this photo were actually on the table but out of frame. Perhaps it's the iOS 13 "Capture Outside the Frame" feature + AI.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodonmacstoriesnet/media_attachments/files/116/771/644/065/034/149/original/db2497564def34fe.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodonmacstoriesnet/media_attachments/files/116/771/644/055/560/384/original/f5d09be83522b313.jpeg

2026-05-28 18:56:40 UTC

Mac users have better display choices than ever. I've been using BenQ's 27-inch 5K display that's targeted at Mac users for a few weeks, and the display is great and the price attractive, but it comes with a few trade-offs and extras!.
More on MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/reviews/benqs-more-affordable-5k-display-offers-mac-users-greater-flexibility-with-some-trade-offs/
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodonmacstoriesnet/media_attachments/files/116/653/726/047/719/230/original/8726a3a811a9afe5.png

2026-05-20 13:28:00 UTC

Buying a lifetime Plex pass for $75 back in the day turned out to be a good call. https://www.theverge.com/tech/934269/plex-pass-lifetime-subscription-triple-750-price-hike

2026-05-19 18:50:38 UTC

If you're a developer with an app to promote, MacStories' WWDC-week sponsorships are back!
We break our coverage into multiple spots at a range of prices: sponsor posts, callouts in OS and Apple Intelligence overviews, AppStories spots, and news-item callouts.
There's something to match any budget.
Spots filled fast last year and are already filling this year.
Want more details? Get in touch with me via email here: [email protected]

2025-07-14 20:30:43 UTC

The DMA has required Apple to allow alternative browser engines for over a year, but none have emerged. At a DMA workshop last week, advocates for the open web explained why they think that's the case and asked what Apple plans to do about it.
https://www.macstories.net/news/web-advocates-challenge-apples-eu-browser-policies/

2025-06-17 12:28:20 UTC

Apple's beta Speech APIs include a speech-to-text transcription model that runs on-device and blows away OpenAI's Whisper, the model many apps use today. My hands-on tests are on @npub1sz3…05rp:
https://www.macstories.net/stories/hands-on-how-apples-new-speech-apis-outpace-whisper-for-lightning-fast-transcription/
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/114/698/701/763/622/767/original/44d227d1c8c15713.mp4

2025-06-12 16:32:09 UTC

We published a second episode of @npub1m4c…mvja fairly late last night that's a brain dump of nearly everything @npub189s…3rm4 and I saw at WWDC this year. It's a fun episode with a lot of details.
🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wwdc-2025-a-first-look-at-everything-apple-announced/id1227872143?i=1000712516092
📺 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGjHhikaryk
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/114/671/348/901/727/828/original/0c51f0f273b021b5.jpeg

2025-05-22 14:38:16 UTC

Jony's io device revealed
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/114/551/992/626/101/169/original/e84c1b0560514c98.jpeg

2025-05-21 17:42:28 UTC

It will be good to see Jony Ive designing hardware (and apps) again. More on @npub1sz3…05rp:
OpenAI to Buy Jony Ive’s Stealth Startup for $6.5 Billion
https://www.macstories.net/linked/openai-to-buy-jony-ives-stealth-startup-for-6-5-billion/

2025-03-14 17:20:18 UTC

I reviewed the FlipGo Pro 16" dual portable display on @npub1sz3…05rp today.
It's a great way to get away from your desk but it has a few limitations worth keeping in mind.
https://www.macstories.net/reviews/getting-away-from-your-desk-with-jsauxs-flipgo-pro-dual-display/
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/114/161/930/380/256/506/original/f778fc47dc969b3e.jpeg

2025-02-14 11:38:46 UTC

It appears that Netflix may be integrating with Apple's TV app. I haven't seen it myself, but some users are being prompted to add the feature. Details and limitations on @npub1sz3…05rp: https://www.macstories.net/linked/netflix-appears-to-be-rolling-out-apple-tv-app-integration-in-the-u-s/

2025-02-13 16:25:49 UTC

Apple is holding an event next week. Details on @npub1sz3…05rp: https://www.macstories.net/news/apples-tim-cook-teases-february-19th-event-on-x/

2025-01-10 18:22:17 UTC

I'll let our story speak for itself, but put simply, there's no place on the Internet for the kind of policies Meta implemented this week.
@npub189s…3rm4 and I have decided want no part of it, so we’ve deactivated the MacStories and AppStories Threads and Instagram accounts.
Details on our site: https://www.macstories.net/stories/macstories-wont-stand-for-metas-dehumanizing-and-harmful-moderation-policies/

2024-12-17 19:50:59 UTC

I love that Delta is closing out the year with another pioneering app feature that shouldn't be pioneering at all, but here we are.
An App Store First: Delta Adds Patreonn Link for Purchase and Perks - https://www.macstories.net/news/an-app-store-first-delta-adds-patreon-link-for-purchase-and-perks/

2024-12-10 14:54:42 UTC

I love what @npub13fk…z5hw and @npub17fe…w0a6 are doing in the fediverse, so over the weekend, I put together the MacStories 2024 Year in Review, a collection of our biggest stories of the year. Enjoy…
https://flipboard.com/@macstories/the-macstories-2024-year-in-review-q70ul3mdz?from=share&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=curator_share

2024-11-27 11:33:27 UTC

We're living in a take what you want and worry about the consequences later kind of Internet now.
Example: Google now inserts ads into sites without their owners' consent in the Google iOS app.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/25/24305922/google-app-ios-inserting-search-links-websites
Site owners can (and should) opt out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h9I0TbN-H_1e85CqXYb1ng7rQfg2ijfODc1sBxPBd08/viewform?edit_requested=true

2024-11-07 14:06:48 UTC

I spent some time putting together a fun Home Screen using icons from recent projects by @npub14qx…v8wz. Details here: https://www.macstories.net/news/building-a-downtime-home-screen-featuring-louie-mantias-retro-gaming-icons/
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/113/442/056/048/857/846/original/62de34c06b2d78ed.jpeg

2024-10-29 12:44:14 UTC

Yesterday, I tried Apple's new Hearing Test feature with my AirPods Pro 2.
It turns out I have mild hearing loss in one ear.
I didn't expect much from the hearing assistance feature, but when I turned it on I noticed the difference IMMEDIATELY
I encourage everyone to give it a try. Whether you think you have hearing loss or not, you can establish a baseline and track it going forward.
Here's what it's like to hear better thanks to my AirPods:
https://www.macstories.net/stories/what-its-like-to-hear-better-with-airpods-pro-2/
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/113/390/770/601/047/372/original/6ea83b02242d0ec0.jpeg

2024-10-15 14:49:41 UTC

- reply

That is a very good friend to have. I'm jealous.

2024-10-15 13:57:34 UTC

Current status:
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/113/311/786/645/306/538/original/333345a7dc89b46b.jpeg

2024-09-16 14:37:02 UTC

This year's iOS and iPadOS 18 review from @npub189s…3rm4 is a special one not only because it shakes things up with a different approach, but because it's also his 10th review.
It's also a review that's about more than just OS features and apps. It's about what makes technology interesting: people. I loved reading it this weekend and hope you do too. Read it here on @npub1sz3…05rp:
https://www.macstories.net/stories/ios-and-ipados-18-the-macstories-review
Congratulations on a decade of iOS reviews Federico! 🎉
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/113/147/734/740/889/294/original/1a0e66ae3a557fb9.jpeg

2024-08-28 11:24:22 UTC

- reply

Someone suggested to me it might just be executives convinced that poor sales must be the result of piracy, which is just crazy enough that I could see it being true.

2024-08-27 18:21:02 UTC

Capcom has added an online DRM check to its Resident Evil games on Apple platforms, which makes these games worse for people who already bought them. I'm wondering if any developers have a theory about why they would do this when I'd think they could simply check StoreKit receipts to determine DLC ownership. https://toucharcade.com/2024/08/27/resident-evil-iphone-15-pro-online-drm-update-purchase-history-check-7-biohazard-village-4-remake/

2024-08-27 16:12:09 UTC

NPC: Next Portable Console #7, My Dogs Are My Gaming Pillow, is out now.
This week @npub189s…3rm4 on dual booting the ASUS ROG Ally X into Windows and SteamOS, plus a retro handheld update from @npub136c…cmyx and me and a lot of news as always.
Video version: https://youtu.be/wSFSpeOxBA0 https://youtu.be/wSFSpeOxBA0
Audio: version…
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/47dgcBhmf6EVfQhdk8pIOs?si=97b3bf09cf0949a1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-dogs-are-my-gaming-pillow/id1749770019?i=1000666800542
Brendon's excellent companion review of the Odin 2 Mini: https://wavelengths.online/posts/the-ayn-odin-2-mini-a-review
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/113/034/862/515/018/619/original/20f1135341565007.png

2024-08-13 14:08:08 UTC

Shareshot 1.0 is out and it's an excellent way to frame and present screenshots taken on Apple devices.
Check out my review on @npub1sz3…05rp: https://www.macstories.net/reviews/shareshot-1-0-pixel-perfect-screenshots-beautifully-presented/
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/112/955/102/591/300/659/original/56048cdbb05c644c.png

2024-08-01 13:29:54 UTC

Yesterday, I wrote two stories in our @npub1g6d…c2lp email newsletter, neither of which mentioned or linked to
@gruber. Yet, here's the summary of that newsletter that I and many other readers get from Apple Intelligence 🙃:
https://cdn.macstories.net/media_attachments/files/112/887/004/548/102/470/original/bc784f5046ed3efe.jpeg