Happy Hour

Benjamin and Chance follow up with increasingly worsening availability of Mac mini and Mac Studio, as well as some interesting iOS 27 tidbits and the first feature updates to the Creator Studio suite. Also, Bloomberg reports on the design of the upcoming Apple smart glasses, and Apple shutters three retail stores.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance finds some great HomeKit gear that just works. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Bartender: Organize and control your Mac's menu bar so it stays clean and uncluttered. Visit macbartender.com/happyhour and use code HAPPYHOUR to save 10% on Bartender 6. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. 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

Benjamin and Chance analyze the form factor of the iPhone Fold with dummy units start surfacing, and investigate why so many of Apple’s Macs are severely backordered right now. Also, NASA takes the iPhone into space, Aqara launches the first thermostat with support for HomeKit’s new Adaptive Temperature feature, and Chance is mad at the MLB app. And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance talk about some of the good shows they’ve been watching on TV recently. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  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 IM8: Go to IM8HEALTH.com/happyhour and use code happyhour to get a free welcome kit, five free travel sachets, and 10% off your order. 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. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @Chan

Benjamin and Chance discuss Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and the same-day news that the Studio Display XDR got $400 cheaper (kinda). Also, Chance reviews the AirPods Max 2, Apple formally discontinues the Mac Pro, and Mark Gurman teases us with even more iOS 27 Siri details.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin explores the latest in the third-party external display landscape. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. 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 + a FREE Nutribullet Ultra Plus+ 2-in-1 Compact Kitchen System (a $189.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Hosts Chance Miller @

Benjamin and Chance talk about the surprise AirPods Max 2 announcement, WWDC 2026 is official, and the company confirms that ads are coming to Apple Maps. Also, Bloomberg reports on the latest Siri chatbot designs coming as part of iOS 27.   And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin talks about his trips to the Apple Store during his time in Japan. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/happyhour for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram

Chance and Zac talk through changes to Apple’s leadership website and what they signal for the future. There’s also a pair of new Bloomberg reports focused on Apple’s delayed Siri smart display product, plus the looming iPhone Fold’s software interface. Finally, they go in-depth on MacBook Neo, discussing Chance’s review and answering some Ask9to5Mac questions.   And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair do a check-in on Apple Vision Pro and whether there's about to a big boom in gaming. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by BenQ: Check out BenQ’s smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. 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. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on

Chance and Zac break down Apple’s Mac announcements of the week. There’s the M5 MacBook Air and more powerful MacBook Pro models with an intriguing new chip architecture and naming scheme. Plus, the new Studio Display “family” is here with good and bad news. Finally, Chance recounts his trip to NYC where he saw the launch of the all-new MacBook Neo.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Zac gives us a rundown of his current Apple gear. And a small philosophy lesson. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by BenQ: Check out BenQ's smarter displays made for how Mac users actually work and sign up for the giveaway here. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/HAPPYHOUR for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Sponsored by 1Password: Take the first step to better security by securing your team’s credentials. Find out m

Benjamin and Chance discuss the just-announced iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air, as Apple begins its week of product launches. As well as bit of speculation about what is to come on Tuesday and Wednesday, the duo also respond to a report about the dysfunctional nature of Apple’s cloud infrastructure division, and look forward to the start of F1 on Apple TV this weekend. And in Happy Hour Plus, it’s time for Chance to make his house a (smart) home. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. 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

Benjamin and Chance are back, with a news-packed episode just before an exciting week of Apple hardware launches. But first, iOS 26.4 beta is here, a deep red color is rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, and Bloomberg details some of the software affordances coming to macOS to support the touch screen MacBook Pro. Also, Samsung surprises with a clever dynamic privacy display on their new flagship phones. And in Happy Hour Plus, the creators of Dark Sky have left Apple to form a new weather app for enthusiasts, Acme Weather. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Things: The award-winning to-do app, with a fresh look for OS 26, new features, and more. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. 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 NordStellar: Defend your business with NordStellar. Unlock a 10% discount with coupo

Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in iOS 26.4, which turned out to be a pretty packed release, even with the Siri features missing in action. Also, Apple confirms a product event for March 4, with rumors of new Macs and more in the air. Finally, Bloomberg reports Apple is advancing work on a suite of new AI devices, including glasses and a clip-on pendant.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin plans his tech packing for his trip to Japan. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/HAPPYHOUR for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller

Benjamin and Chance react to the disappointing news shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman that the new Siri features are facing even more delays, but in happier news, a bunch of iPhones, iPads and Macs are due for an imminent refresh. Meanwhile, Tim Cook reminisces ahead of Apple’s 50th birthday.   And in Happy Hour Plus, thoughts on the design of the Ferrari Luce and Jony Ive’s sniping comments about his former employer. Sponsored by Shopify: See less carts go abandoned and more sales. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/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. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.

Benjamin and Chance speculate on Apple’s mysterious acquisition of Q.ai, the company’s second biggest acquisition ever. The iPhone 17 is a veritable smash hit, leading to an all-time quarterly earnings record. And Apple redesigns the order flow for buying a new Mac, with new MacBooks just around the corner.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin realizes he has some overdue spring-cleaning to do on his Desktop folder.  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 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 + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitt

Benjamin and Chance review the proposition of the Creator Studio bundle now it is finally available, as well as some weirdness in the choices made of the apps in it. Also, Benjamin has been using his new AirTags for the past couple days, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the new Gemini Siri features may be announced in February, sooner than we previously expected. And in Happy Hour Plus, there’s more talk about Creator Studio, specifically regarding which other kinds of creative apps we could see get added to the offering in the future. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Last call! Sponsored by Quince: Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince. Visit quince.com/happyhour for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Sponsored by Shopify: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5Mac at try.copilot.money/9to5mac. Hosts

Benjamin and Chance get excited for the upcoming Siri roadmap, with Bloomberg reporting that the delayed features will arrive with 26.4 and a full chatbot experience is due before the end of the year. The Information says Apple is developing an AI pin, the iPhone 18 Pro cutout positioning situation is seemingly clarified, and Apple makes App Store ads even less noticeable.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance talks about the best parts of his new Oura Ring, and how Apple can learn from its software experience. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26. Sponsored by Shopify: In 2026, stop waiting and start selling with Shopify. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour. 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 Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/design and use code HAPPYHOUR for a free m

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