Comfort Zone

What is This, 1995?

Chris has a Creator Studio, Matt has a less official Creator Studio, and the whole gang shows off their Minecraft houses. This week's Cozy Zone, we tier listed iPads. Chris has never been more in his element than in this one! Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138191] or $50/year [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138195], which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know [https://giant-smash-219.notion.site/2d235e3fe8d880129f22fb81cdd47acc]! Main topics * Apple Creator Studio [https://www.apple.com/apple-creator-studio/] * Aqua Voice [https://aquavoice.com/] * Framous [https://framous.app/] * DevCleaner [https://github.com/vashpan/xcode-dev-cleaner] * balenaEtcher [https://etcher.balena.io/] * Sparkle [https://makeitsparkle.co/] * Ghostty [https://ghostty.org/] * Zed [https://zed.dev/] Other things discussed * Hand Mirror 4 is cute [https://mastodon.design/@rafa/115926862745004085]! * The Secrets of the Apple Creator Studio [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bADlMY_tKeM] * Niléane's Minecraft House 1 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_1.jpeg] * Niléane's Minecraft House 2 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_2.jpeg] * Niléane's Minecraft House 3 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_3.jpeg] * Niléane's Minecraft House 4 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_4.jpeg] * Niléane's Minecraft House 5 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_5.jpeg] * Niléane's Minecraft House 6 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/nileane_minecraft_6.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 1 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_1.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 2 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_2.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 3 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_3.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 4 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_4.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 5 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_5.jpeg] * Matt's Minecraft House 6 [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/minecraft_homes/matt_minecraft_6.jpeg] Follow the Hosts * Chris on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisLawley] * Matt on Birchtree [https://birchtree.me] * Niléane on Mastodon [https://nileane.fr/@nileane] * Comfort Zone on Mastodon [https://mastodon.macstories.net/@comfortzone] * Comfort Zone on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/comfortzone.macstories.net]

Where is Everybody?

Matt's on his own for this one, as Chris and Niléane managed to both get sick at the same time. Fear not, we get to rant and rave about the latest "Xbox"! This week's Cozy Zone, we roast each other's backpacks. One's all black, one's is full of color, and the other is just a mess! Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138191] or $50/year [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138195], which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know [https://giant-smash-219.notion.site/2d235e3fe8d880129f22fb81cdd47acc]! Main topics * ROG Xbox Ally X [https://birchtree.me/blog/the-rog-xbox-ally-x-made-me-appreciate-the-steam-deck-even-more/] * Matt's review [https://birchtree.me/blog/rog-xbox-ally-x-review-amazing-performance-but-the-worst-software-ive-ever-used/] Follow the Hosts * Chris on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisLawley] * Matt on Birchtree [https://birchtree.me] * Niléane on Mastodon [https://nileane.fr/@nileane] * Comfort Zone on Mastodon [https://mastodon.macstories.net/@comfortzone] * Comfort Zone on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/comfortzone.macstories.net]

Are You Predicting Doom?

Niléane battles the modern era of smart mice, Chris has a new way of keeping up with everything everywhere all at once, and the whole gang battles it out with the best dang MagSafe accessories you've ever seen. This week's Cozy Zone, we roast you home screens again! This one has bar none the weirdest home screen I've ever seen. You just gotta listen to understand why, but we might be cursed now. Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138191] or $50/year [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138195], which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know [https://giant-smash-219.notion.site/2d235e3fe8d880129f22fb81cdd47acc]! Main topics * BetterMouse [https://better-mouse.com/] * Reeder [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reeder/id6475002485] Other things * Atkinson Hyperlegible [https://www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/] * Geist [https://vercel.com/font] * Ben Vallack [https://www.youtube.com/@BenVallack] * Swapmod [https://swap-systems.com/product/swapmod/] * Intricuit [https://intricuit.com/] * Aerospace [https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace] * ROG Xbox Ally X [https://rog.asus.com/us/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/rog-xbox-ally-x-2025/] * Logitech made an oopsie [https://www.theverge.com/news/857377/logitech-macos-logi-options-mouse-certification-fix] * Mode Anthracite keycaps [https://modedesigns.com/products/anthracite-keycaps] * DOCKCASE Magnetic Visual [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSN3PHXX] * Clicks Power Keyboard [https://www.clicks.tech/powerkeyboard] * MagicMount Flask [https://www.scosche.com/mfms-magic-mount-flask-insulated-water-bottle-with-magsafe-phone-mount] * Nomatic Wallet [https://www.nomatic.com/collections/everyday-accessories/products/phone-wallet] * VÄSTMÄRKE [https://www.ikea.com/fr/fr/p/vaestmaerke-chargeur-sans-fil-30598210/] Follow the Hosts * Chris on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisLawley] * Matt on Birchtree [https://birchtree.me] * Niléane on Mastodon [https://nileane.fr/@nileane] * Comfort Zone on Mastodon [https://mastodon.macstories.net/@comfortzone] * Comfort Zone on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/comfortzone.macstories.net]

Mine's Bigger than Matt's

Matt needs some help figuring out what browser to use, Niléane has a new game show, and Chris challenges the gang to clean up their desk area. This week's Cozy Zone, the gang discusses their tech white whales. If they had unlimited funds, what would they buy? A nice camera? A beefy computer? A whole company?! Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138191] or $50/year [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138195], which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know [https://giant-smash-219.notion.site/2d235e3fe8d880129f22fb81cdd47acc]! Main topics * Helium [https://helium.computer/] * Zen [https://zen-browser.app/] * Dia [https://www.diabrowser.com/] * ChatGPT Atlas [https://chatgpt.com/atlas/] * Perplexity Comet [https://www.perplexity.ai/comet] Other things * Chris' Gridfinity Setup [https://theuntitled.site/images/_IMG_0084.jpeg] * Last.fm [https://www.last.fm/] * HermitCraft desk mat [https://shop.hermitcraft.com/products/hills-desk-mat] * IKEA monitor arm [https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/stubberget-bracket-for-monitor-white-50591934/] * Matt's desk before [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/matt-under-desk-before.jpeg] * Matt's desk after [https://birchtree.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/matt-under-desk-after.jpeg] * Forecast [https://overcast.fm/forecast] Follow the Hosts * Chris on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisLawley] * Matt on Birchtree [https://birchtree.me] * Niléane on Mastodon [https://nileane.fr/@nileane] * Comfort Zone on Mastodon [https://mastodon.macstories.net/@comfortzone] * Comfort Zone on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/comfortzone.macstories.net]

Our 2026 Tech Predictions

It's the annual predictions episode! The gang reflects on their predictions from 2025 and then make their Guaranteed To Be Correct Predictions for 2026. No boring predictions here, we start at Pro predictions and go all the way to Pro Max. This week's Cozy Zone has everyone discussing the tricky business of streaming music and how we actually get artists paid. Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138191] or $50/year [https://macstories.memberful.com/checkout?plan=138195], which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know [https://giant-smash-219.notion.site/2d235e3fe8d880129f22fb81cdd47acc]! Follow the Hosts * Chris on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisLawley] * Matt on Birchtree [https://birchtree.me] * Niléane on Mastodon [https://nileane.fr/@nileane] * Comfort Zone on Mastodon [https://mastodon.macstories.net/@comfortzone] * Comfort Zone on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/comfortzone.macstories.net]