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Maybe Audiobookshelf? You can set up podcasts and stream them from the web interface. It'll keep track of your progress, so you can switch from web to phone and pick up in the same spot.
Edit: though it does download the podcast to the server so that you can stream it, but it grabs them automatically.
Website says 1800€ (including VAT, I believe).
I thought macvlans were only available to rootful Podman?
I believe you want to use QSV (VAAPI is there for older processors IIRC).
For running as rootless, you could try adding group-add keep-groups (an explanation from Redhat about keep-groups).
I think VAAPI is still how the gpu is accessed but you can use the intel libva driver (vaapi) or the intel media driver (QSV) (arch wiki page). If I'm interpreting this all correctly.
For photos, Immich is recommended a fair bit.
If you listen to audiobooks in addition to your e-books, there is audiobookshelf. You could also consider a recipe manager, like Tandoor or Mealie, or Home Assistant if home automation seems fun.