Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss the implications for Siri and the wider Apple ecosystem now that the Gemini deal is officially signed, and guess when we’ll start seeing the first new features ship. Also, they weigh up the appeal of the new Apple Creator Studio bundle, and Chance got to watch basketball courtside through his Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo discuss the dependability of iCloud as a backup of your data, and what other backup strategies they recommend to use. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Sponsored by Copilot Money: The personal finance app to make your money yours. Until January 20, get 26% off your first year at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Stamps.com: Send from your computer or phone 24/7. Try Stamps.com risk-free for sixty days with code happyhour. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security by securing your team’s credentials. Find out more at 1password.com/happyhour and start securing every login. Ho

Benjamin and Chance cover this week in Apple news, including the long-awaited announcement that the Apple Card will be switching from Goldman Sachs to Chase, in about . Also, Fitness+ doesn’t quite live up to its own new year marketing hype, NBA live-streaming kicks off on Vision Pro, and Apple makes App Store changes to satisfy Japan regulators. And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair make their annual prediction for 2026, with three relatively risky picks each, about what Apple might do this year. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Sponsored by Gusto: The online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at gusto.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Copilot Money: The personal finance app to make your money yours. For a limited time, get 26% off your first year at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Shopify: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyho

Benjamin and Chance return from the holiday break with some classic stories of tech support from the trenches. Also, iOS 26 Hold Assist proves better in theory than in reality based on listener feedback, and we do some Ask9to5Mac to close out 2025.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance debate what should be 9to5Mac’s Product of the Year. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate, and Review Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benj

Benjamin and Chance reflect on another year in Apple news. We cover all the big headlines from across the months, including the fallout of the Siri delays, the early iOS 26 redesign leaks, and the launch of all the new 2025 hardware like the iPhone 17 series. And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair check in on who won their annual prediction picks. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Copilot Money: The personal finance app to make your money yours. For a limited time, get 26% off your first year at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Gusto: The online payroll and benefits software built for small businesses. Get three months free when you run your first payroll at gusto.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Shopify: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bz

Benjamin and Chance discuss the late-in-the-year public launch of iOS 26.2, and the beginning of the 26.3 beta cycle. The Information has some juicy new details about the forthcoming iPhone roadmap, ChatGPT adds a clever Apple Music integration, and Chance tried using the PSVR2 spatial controllers with his Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, there’s more tantalizing evidence of a higher-end iMac in the works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Udacity: Try risk-free for seven days at udacity.com/happyhour with code happyhour. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with free Breakfast For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate

Benjamin and Chance talk about two more Apple executive departures since last week’s episode, and a rumored third that appears to be staying for now. There’s also exciting details about the next Apple Studio Display, Apple might be able to enlist Intel to manufacture Apple Silicon chips, Fitness+ is using AI for language dubbing, and more.  And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo talk about Netflix’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros, and why Apple would never interested in a deal like this. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/design and use code HAPPYHOUR for a free month. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security for your team by securing credentials and protecting every application at 1password.com/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMil

Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches.  And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Narwal: Narwal is officially launching their Cyber Monday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. Sponsored by Hydrow: Train smarter, not longer. The Hydrow rowing machine delivers the best results, in just 20 minutes a day. Use code HAPPYHOUR to save up to $600 at hydrow.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by A

Benjamin and Chance give their opinion on the 2025 Apple holiday ad ‘A Critter Carol’, and talk about some of the Apple tech deals they’ve found this Black Friday. Also, there’s more clarity on the Apple Watch WiFi sync changes coming to the EU next month, and Google pulls off an impressive stunt to make AirDrop work on Android. Finally, Benjamin installed macOS Tahoe for the first time and has some thoughts to share. And in Happy Hour Plus, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman delivers the first details about what to expect from iOS 27. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Roborock: Save up to 50% on Roborock’s flagship vacuums during their Black Friday event — but hurry, these deals won’t last long! Sponsored by NordStellar: Protect your business today at nordstellar.com/happyhourand use code blackfriday20 to save 20%. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool t

Benjamin and Chance discuss the week in Apple news, including the suggestion that Tim Cook’s retirement announced could come early in 2026. Also, Apple responds to user feedback on the multitasking changes with the latest iPadOS 26.2 beta 3, Tesla is rumored to be adding CarPlay to its vehicles, and MLS becomes part of the base Apple TV subscription starting next season. And in Happy Hour Plus, they discuss the future of the Mac Pro and why Apple should stop selling it. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Roborock: Save up to 50% on Roborock’s flagship vacuums during their Black Friday event — but hurry, these deals won’t last long! Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with free Breakfast For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Sponsored by NordStellar: Protect your business today at nordstellar.com/happyhourand use code blackfriday20 to save 20%.

Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in the 26.2 betas, including a clever new Edge Light mode and even more Liquid Glass throughout the system. Apple launches Digital IDs in Wallet, and there are questions about the future of the iPhone Air.   And in Happy Hour Plus, we consider if Apple is done for the year, as far as new product launches go. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security for your team by securing credentials and protecting every application, with 1Password. Sponsored by Quince: For the person in your life who deserves better than basic—Quince has you covered. For free shipping and 365-day returns, go to quince.com/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in iOS 26.2, including some fancy Podcast AI updates and a puzzling decision to remove Apple Watch Wi-Fi syncing in the EU. Also, Apple launches a browsable App Store on the web, and is set to pay $1bn annually to Google to use Gemini models as the underpinning of new Siri.  And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair react to the new Apple TV intro, and get hyped for the premiere of Vince Gilligan’s new series, Pluribus. Sponsored by Hydrow: Skip the gym, not the workout. Use code HAPPYHOUR to get $100 off any Hydrow rower. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by NordStellar: Protect your business today at nordstellar.com/happyhour and use code blackfriday20 to save 20%. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamay

Benjamin and Chance react to a bevy of Bloomberg reports about Apple’s future plans, from touchscreen Macs to ads in Apple Maps and a future OLED iPad mini. And in Happy Hour Plus, the 1X NEO robot makes waves with a launch that demonstrated perhaps the biggest divide between the hype and the reality of the product. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/design and use code HAPPYHOUR for a free month. Sponsored by Material Security: Material Security is transforming how companies protect their most critical cloud assets. Learn more and see how it works at material.security. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter

Benjamin and Chance react to the inclusion of a new Liquid Glass toggle in Settings in iOS 26.1 beta 4, and whether it reflects Apple’s lack of confidence in software design. The Apple TV F1 deal is now official, and Chance goes hands-on with the M5 Vision Pro. And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair discuss the news that the iPhone Air is reportedly not selling well, and check in with their experiences a month after its release. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Mint Mobile: Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month at mintmobile.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Material Security: Material Security is transforming how companies protect their most critical cloud assets. Learn more and see how it works at material.security. Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram

Benjamin and Chance react to the new M5 iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro launches. Apple also kills off Clips app and teases live immersive NBA content, and announces a controversial name change for the Apple TV streaming service.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin gets more excited about the upcoming Apple smart display based off some details from Mark Gurman. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Material Security: Material Security is transforming how companies protect their most critical cloud assets. Learn more and see how it works at material.security. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate, and Review Apple Podcasts

Benjamin and Chance cover all the new changes in beta 2 of iOS 26.1, as Apple tidies up some loose ends in the new Liquid Glass design, and (kinda) brings back Slide Over on iPad. Also, Meta’s launch of smart glasses with displays apparently prompted a change to the Vision Pro roadmap, and the F1 streaming deal is apparently nearly done. And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo compares MagSafe power banks for the iPhone Air. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Private Internet Access: The world’s most transparent VPN provider. Go to piavpn.com/9to5Mac to get 83% off with 4 months free. Sponsored by NordStellar: Don’t wait until your company’s data is already for sale on the dark web. Protect your business today at nordstellar.com/happyhour. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Sub

Benjamin and Chance talk about the week’s Apple news, including the bonkers leak of the so-far-unannounced M5 iPad Pro, and then the FCC chipped in with showing off the new MacBook Pro and Vision Pro too. Also, Benjamin’s robot vacuum got a dramatically better Matter update, Apple uses iPhone cameras to shoot Friday Night Baseball, and Beats unveils the Powerbeats Fit.  And in Happy Hour Plus, we have some new iPhone follow-up as Chance samples the Max life, and Benjamin’s Air is accruing dust. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by OpenCase: A better iPhone case for MagSafe accessories. Use promo code "happyhour" for 10% off at TheOpenCase.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Caldera Lab: High performance men’s skincare. Get 20% off your first order at CalderaLab.com/HAPPYHOUR Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram

Benjamin and Chance reflect on how Apple describes the unibody in iPhone history. Then, Benjamin shares his experiences with his first week of having the iPhone Air, meanwhile online durability and battery tests show impressive results across the new iPhone lineup. Nevertheless, Apple is forced to comment on 17 Pro ‘ScratchGate’, and the first iOS 26.1 beta adds some new swipe gestures in the Music app. And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance tries the new Jupiter environment in visionOS 26, as Apple previews a swathe of new third-party immersive video content in the works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per

Chance got review units of all the new phones, so we take the opportunity to talk about his hands-on experiences with iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air and the new AirPods Pro 3. Just how good is Apple’s new lineup? Also, Benjamin has eSIM woes in preparation of his iPhone Air delivery.  And in Happy Hour Plus, we react to the initial impressions of iOS 26 now that the redesigned OS is available to a wider audience for the first time. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac. Sponsored by Caldera Lab: High performance men’s skincare. Get 20% off your first order at CalderaLab.com/HAPPYHOUR Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMille

Benjamin and Chance react to the September Apple event, with opinions in keynote order. Chance was there in person, so that includes some early hands-on thoughts of these new devices. That includes Apple’s unveiling of the new AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, iPhone 17, iPhone Air and the unmistakably orange iPhone 17 Pro series.  And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair talk about what products they are buying from this week’s announcements, and some more on Chance’s experience at Apple Park. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac. Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Oracle: Learn how to

Benjamin and Chance get hyped for next week’s awe-dropping event with a breakdown of what we expect, and some intriguing hanging questions. In other news, the Google search deal escapes the jaws of antitrust unscathed, and we have more details about the upcoming Siri revamp.  And in Happy Hour Plus, they discuss the Google Pixel’s 100x zoom features and debate the merits of AI usage in cameras. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Caldera Lab: High performance men’s skincare. Get 20% off your first order at CalderaLab.com/HAPPYHOUR Sponsored by 1Password: For a limited time, get $20 off the easiest way to stay secure online with 1Password. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @bzamayo on Threads Subscribe, Rate, and Review Apple Podcasts Overcast Spotify 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus