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Jonathan Reed

Contributor

Mastodon: @jonathanreed@techhub.socialEmail: jonathan@macstories.net

Jonathan is a graphic designer at DesignStudio. As well as being a long-time Apple user he is a huge film and television aficionado and is very interested in the intersection between the two mediums and technology. He lives in London with his wife and daughter and is writing his bio in the third person.

497 — January 23, 2026

I Have Very Mixed Feelings on AI. Maybe That’s OK.

MACSTORIES EXTRAS

More stories for Club members.

I Have Very Mixed Feelings on AI. Maybe That’s OK.

Last week, I experienced something that blew my mind so much that it made me rethink my entire perspective on AI. It made me question some firmly held beliefs on the subject in a way I don’t think has happened with any other issue for many years.

Let’s back up a bit. At the end of last year, Anthropic released Claude Opus 4.5, a model that was instantly hailed as a major step forward in coding assistance. Since then, the hype around its capabilities in this area has only increased – so much so that Google employees are posting things like this:

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496 — January 16, 2026

New Year, New Mac Apps

MACSTORIES RECOMMENDS

Great apps, accessories, gear, and media recommended by the MacStories team.

New Year, New Mac Apps

Source: Atilla.

Jonathan: Now that everyone is fully into the flow of the new year (or at least trying to be!), nothing beats a bunch of app recommendations. So this week, I’m providing exactly that, with a focus on the Mac. Each of these apps is one I’ve been trying over the past few weeks, and I think each is worth at least a try, if not a full purchase.

Let’s get started.

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495 — January 9, 2026

Hopes for the Apple Watch in 2026

THE EXTENSION

Exploring topics beyond our day-to-day coverage.

Hopes for the Apple Watch in 2026

It’s a new year, so as I did at the start of 2025, now’s the perfect moment for me to take a look ahead and make some wishes and predictions for the Apple Watch and watchOS in 2026.

Don’t Look Back in Anger

Before I delve into this year’s hopes, let’s take a look back at what I said this time last year and see whether I was clutching at straws or had some prayers answered.

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494 — December 19, 2025

3×3: Looking Back on 2025

MACSTORIES EXTRAS

More stories for Club members.

3×3: Looking Back on 2025

It’s that time of year when you all get to read what I thought of “stuff” in 2025. It seemed like a weirder year than usual, both inside and outside of tech, but on the plus side, I finally launched my podcast and will be back for season two in January with some more great guests. I hope you’ll join me. In the meantime, here are my picks for 2025: three categories, three picks each.

My Favorite Tech News Stories

AI Shows More Cracks… and Strengths

Always a controversial topic, AI grew larger and larger throughout 2025. It now accounts for one-third of the U.S. economy, lending more credence to concerns about what will happen when the bubble bursts.

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493 — December 12, 2025

Having Less Courage

THE EXTENSION

Exploring topics beyond our day-to-day coverage.

Having Less Courage

Source: Basic Apple Guy.

Last week was a truly remarkable week of change at Apple. Long-time leaders announced their departures, while a crucial one was rumored to be eyeing the exit. Many have debated whether this is a talent drain or just an inevitability. Still, the thing that struck me most when reflecting on it all was not the shift in leadership but the possible shift in strategic approach to policy and – dare I say it – a future with less courage.

Our Favorite Roof Walker

Source: Apple.

Let’s start with Lisa Jackson’s retirement announcement. Nothing too shocking there: Jackson is in her 60s, and despite many corporate executives carrying on into their 80s and sometimes beyond, retiring at 63 is something many would love to do. Jackson has done some great work at Apple as vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, and I’m sure she will enjoy a well-deserved rest.

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