A weekly podcast discussing the latest in Apple and technology.
9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed.
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Hosts:
Benjamin and Chance react to all the new features in iOS 18 beta 2, and the fact that most of those features won’t be available in the European Union as Apple worries about DMA compliance concerns. In other EU legal news, the commission threatens fines for Apple’s anti-steering policies, and is officially investigating the Core Technology Fee. Also, Chance reviews the new Beats Solo Buds and relaunched Beats Pill portable speaker.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance’s Mac low storage bug returns, and Benjamin tries the Connected Cards feature in the Apple Wallet app. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance are back with a review of this week’s Apple news, including thoughts on the rumored bigger watch sizes coming this fall, Apple’s plans to design thinner iPhone and MacBook Pro models, and the abrupt cancellation of Apple Pay Later. We also have unearthed even more interesting changes found in the first iOS 18 beta.
And in Happy Hour Plus, we predict what iOS 18 features will have the most impact, positive or negative, on the public at large when the software update lands on customer iPhones later this year. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
In this bumper edition, Benjamin and Chance react to everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024, including all the new features in iOS 18, visionOS 2, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11 and tvOS 18, and the suite of announcements under the banner of Apple Intelligence, as Apple sets its AI strategy.
And in Happy Hour Plus, we have even more thoughts on WWDC and some of the surrounding press interviews taking place this week. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance run down the WWDC expectations, and debate whether reality will match the hype. There’s certainly a lot expected, with major new features for the iOS 18 home screen, Control Center, and a veritable AI infusion across Apple’s platforms. We give our thoughts on what we are most excited to see announced. Plus, Apple accidentally miscounted the number of GPU cores in the M2 iPad Air, and the Apple TV app may finally be coming to Android.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance embarked on a 3,500-mile road EV trip to his new house, and loves CarPlay more than ever before. He also updates us on how good the Vision Pro is as a travel holiday computer, and his smart home plans. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Zac discuss the curious rumors about a 20-inch foldable iPad/MacBook, and the latest Vision Pro content developments. iOS 18 may let users change the icons of the apps on their home screen, but how exactly? We also have more insight into Apple’s AI plans and its approach to handling user data privacy while remaining feature competitive.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Zac talk more about the genuine utility of ChatGPT in daily life.
Benjamin and Chance react to the surprise reports of a major form-factor change coming to the iPhone in 2025, with the addition of a new redesigned ‘Ultra’ model priced above the current Pro Max. The Plus is also expected to go away next year. iOS 17.5.1 includes a fix for the deleted photos bug but Apple yet again neglects to explain what happened. And, Apple Music causes a stir with their Best 100 albums list.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance discuss the appeal of the newly announced Peacock, Apple, and Netflix Comcast ‘StreamSaver’ bundle.
Benjamin gives his thoughts on his brief experience using the new M4 iPad Pro hardware, while Chance ponders a purchase. Apple previews some exciting new iOS 18 accessibility features, and we gist more insight into Apple’s AI plans with reports that the company is already hosting Apple Silicon chips in its server farms.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance react to the increasing likelihood that John Ternus becomes Apple’s next CEO, in the fullness of time. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance react to all the announcements out of the spring ‘Let Loose’ event, including the radically thin new iPad Pro, the new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air lineup, what to expect from the M4 chip, and how the event compared to their expectations going in overall.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance reflect on how they feel the video event format is performing for Apple, and whether it makes sense for the company to return to the live keynote style, sometimes. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance assess the final iPad rumors ahead of next week’s ‘Let Loose’ event. Beats launches an incredibly compelling new addition to their headphones lineup, the Beats Solo Buds. At the same time, Apple fails to acknowledge what happened with people getting locked out of their Apple IDs over the weekend, in the same week as it releases a statement promising to fix an issue with iPhone alarms.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance discuss what podcast client they currently use and why, and how their listening habits reflect their app preferences. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance get hyped for the just-announced Apple event, entitled ‘Let Loose’ set for May 7, in which we expect Apple to finally update the iPad hardware lineup. There’s also rumors that Apple is preparing to end FineWoven case production, and a weird curio that the iPhone 17 Plus screen may get slightly smaller. Elsewhere, AirPlay for hotels finally arrives and Apple is nearing a deal to exclusively stream the 2025 FIFA Club Word Cup.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance’s Mac broke. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance discuss the latest in Apple news, including Web Distribution for EU users launching in iOS 17.5 beta 2, we get our first sense of the M4 Mac release scheduled and the company opens up its third-party repair policies further. Also, the Humane Ai Pin debuts to a very mixed critical response.
And in Happy Hour Plus, we talk about our multitasking and window management habits on macOS. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Note from Chance: We had some technical difficulties this week, so the audio quality isn’t up to our normal standards. We apologize and will be back to normal next time!
In a 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus members-only episode, Benjamin and Chance watch BlackBerry, the 2023 film covering the “story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.”
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Benjamin and Chance delve into the latest rounds of iOS 18 rumors, including a curious discovery of a new ‘Safari browser assistant’ in development. Apple has also changed the rules surrounding game emulators in the App Store, with somewhat unclear implications. Apple News+ adds a new Quartile word puzzle, and the wait for the new iPad Pro continues.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance considers his smart home strategy ahead of the move to his new house. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance discuss the bizarre idea that Apple is interested in making a humanoid robot to help with household chores, as its “next big thing”. Also, Apple launches the first ever sports ‘film’ shot in Immersive Video, and releases Spatial Personas for all Vision Pro users.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin discusses the frustrations of driving theory test iPhone apps. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance go deep on the Department of Justice vs. Apple suit, in which the DOJ alleges Apple’s iPhone monopoly is illegally maintained. In happier news, Apple announced the dates for WWDC 2024 where we expect to see major AI announcements as part of iOS 18, and much more.
And in Happy Hour Plus, we rank our favorite WWDC invite artwork from the last decade. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance react to the news that Apple is partnering with Google to use their Gemini models to power some AI features coming in iOS 18. Also, there’s more details about the two new AirPods models set to debut later this year. There’s also rumors about anti-reflective matte screens for iPhone and iPad, and Walmart announces that it is selling Macs for the first time, starting with the cut-price $699 M1 MacBook Air.
In Happy Hour Plus: Chance tells Mayo about his experience seeing the Rivian R2. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
Benjamin and Chance analyze the latest round of Apple’s changes to appease the EU, get hyped for the impending 2024 iPad Pro features, and news that Apple is testing an AI platform for advertising.
Apple Arcade is the topic in Happy Hour Plus, as we discuss how the service stacks up today compared to how it was presented in 2019.
Benjamin and Chance analyze what’s new in the just-announced M3 MacBook Air and praise the MacBook Air lineup as it stands today, iOS 17.4 brings a whole host of changes to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act, and Apple TV+ launches a limited time catalog of movies to watch. Chance also gives us a one-month check in on the Vision Pro.
And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance explains why he has decided to delete TikTok from his phone, and we discuss how to find a healthy balance in social media usage.
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Benjamin and Chance react to the shock news of the cancellation of the long-gestating Apple Car project, and Mark Gurman details some of the future wearables Apple is pondering including smart glasses, rings, and AirPods earbuds with integrated cameras. We are also anticipating some design changes in iOS 18, but recognize Apple has likely learned the painful lessons of the iOS 6 -> iOS 7 transition.
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The Apple news cycle continues apace this week, with the company launching a brand new app, Sports, for sports scores. The iPhone 15 battery is now rated for twice as many charge cycles, along with a redesigned Battery UI in iOS 17.4. Apple is reportedly planning new AI features for both Spotlight search and Xcode code completion, and the EU readies a $500 million fine for Apple’s anticompetitive behavior in music streaming market. Benjamin and Chance break down all that and more in this week’s episode.
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Benjamin and Chance discuss the tantalizing references to a HomePod with some kind of screen found in iOS 17.4 beta 3, the App Store Review process has an embarrassing week, and The Information reports Apple is still working on foldable iPhone prototypes. Chance also bought the developer strap for the Apple Vision Pro, while some other launch day buyers opt to return their units within the two-week window.
Sponsored by We Got Your Mac: This episode is brought to you by ‘We Got Your Mac’—your guide to Mac adoption at scale. Tune in for expert insights from SHI, Apple and around the business world. Visit WeGotYourMac.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Chance has had his Apple Vision Pro for about one week, and we all have a lot of thoughts about Apple’s brand new platform. A truly new Apple product doesn’t come along very often, and this is a particularly special one. We go deep on the Vision Pro hardware, comfort, what it’s like using Vision Pro for media and productivity, Personas, FaceTime, real-world battery life, and so much more.
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Benjamin and Chance deep dive into all the App Store changes announced in response to the EU Digital Markets Act, and debate whether anyone is incentivized to make the leap. Also, the first Apple Vision Pro reviews have dropped ahead of its Friday release, and iOS 17.4 brings some fun new features and code references look ahead to iOS 18’s AI integration.
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Sponsored by Incogni: Limit public access to your private information, mitigate the risks of identity theft, and keep your data from being sold. Use code “happyhour” at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: incogni.com/happyhour
Sponsored by We Got Your Mac: This episode is brought to you by ‘We Got Your Mac’—your guide to Mac adoption at scale. Tune in for expert insights from SHI, Apple and around the business world. Visit WeGotYourMac.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sponsored by Zocdoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/happyhour and download the Zocdoc app to sign up for free and book a top-rated doctor. Many are available as soon as today.
Benjamin and Chance talk about all the latest Apple news from this week, including some new iPhone 16 rumors on tech specs and capabilities of the new Capture Button, incentives for artists to produce Spatial Audio music, and the latest installment in the Apple Watch ban saga. Plus, Ford has some CarPlay announcements in the same week that Apple’s ambitions for Project Titan have been scaled back significantly, as the company now looks to launch its own electric vehicle in 2028.
Sponsored by Nom Nom: Your pet’s a member of the family–don’t feed them like they’re in the dog house. Give them Nom Nom. Get 50% off your no-risk two-week trial at trynom.com/happyhour.
Sponsored by We Got Your Mac: This episode is brought to you by ‘We Got Your Mac’—your guide to Mac adoption at scale. Tune in for expert insights from SHI, Apple and around the business world. Visit WeGotYourMac.com or wherever you get your podcasts.