podcast

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.

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 coupon code nordhappyhour-10 at nordstellar.com/happyhour.

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.

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.

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 Aura Frames: The best digital picture frames. Get $35 off the best selling Carver Mat Frames with code HAPPYHOUR at on.auraframes.com/HAPPYHOUR.

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%.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. 9to5Mac Daily listeners can exclusively save 50% and get a $100 Savings Card.  

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 month trial at shopify.com/happyhour.
• Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm.

Benjamin and Chance react to the surprise announcement that the Apple Watch Blood Oxygen feature is coming back for US users, via a phone relay workaround. Also, Apple released the latest beta of iOS 26, featuring some fun new animations and even more Liquid Glass refinements. Plus, there’s more speculation about the low-cost MacBook and more details about Apple’s future ventures into home robotics. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we catch up on some recent TV shows and movies we enjoyed this summer. 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 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 a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm.

Benjamin and Chance analyze the new iOS 26 icon set, as well as respond to some public beta feedback Chance has received from his family. Also, a test iPhone 17 prototype was seemingly caught on camera on the streets of San Francisco. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance has finally updated to watchOS 26 beta, and the pair discuss the surprising utility of the new wrist flick gesture. 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 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 IDEO U: Check out IDEO U’s online learning experiences, built by experts from the renowned design and innovation company IDEO. Get 15% by going to ideou.com/happyhour.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden Password Manager, featuring a new Apple Watch authenticator integration, secure autofill on Safari and iOS apps, and enterprise-grade security tools that help you manage credentials with confidence.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden Password Manager, featuring a new Apple Watch authenticator integration, secure autofill on Safari and iOS apps, and enterprise-grade security tools that help you manage credentials with confidence.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden Password Manager, featuring a new Apple Watch authenticator integration, secure autofill on Safari and iOS apps, and enterprise-grade security tools that help you manage credentials with confidence.

Benjamin and Chance react to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman report on what Apple is planning to ship over the course of the next twelve months, as well as the details of a near-term refresh for the Vision Pro including a more comfortable strap. Apple launches a new Emoji puzzle in News+, AirPods marketshare is revealed in a new study, and Apple sweeps the Emmy nominations.  

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance talk more about the recent controversies surrounding Liquid Glass. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by 1Password: For a limited time, get $20 off the easiest way to stay secure online with 1Password—featuring a new passkey feature that lets you go passwordless on compatible apps and sites.
• Sponsored by HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm.
• Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour.
• 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.

Benjamin and Chance talk about all the changes in iOS 26 beta 2 and macOS Tahoe beta 2, try out all the new features in watchOS 26 for the first time, and talk about why availability of Apple features and services can be so splintered. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin saw the F1 film in IMAX, and en route observed some horror stories of how people actually use their phones in the real world. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by IDEO U: check out IDEO U’s online learning experiences, built by experts from the renowned design and innovation company IDEO. Get 15% by going to ideou.com/happyhour.
• Sponsored by Backblaze: Never lose a file again. Use code “9to5HH” at checkout for 10% off.
• 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 HelloFresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm.

Benjamin and Chance are back with another bumper WWDC installment, featuring our thoughts on everything Apple announced during its 2025 keynote. From new features in iOS 26 to the sweeping redesign of Liquid Glass, we give our first reactions of all the changes in the new operating systems. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance talks more about his experience on the ground at Apple Park. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing 3 is a comprehensive platform for Apple device management with complete device control for backup management, data transfer capabilities, and much more. Try it now.
• 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 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 a Free Item For Life at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm.

Benjamin and Chance get hyped for WWDC 2025 with coverage of all the last-minute news, as well as the state of the rumor mill in the run-up to Apple’s big software show. There’s talk of a new Gaming app, a major change to Apple’s OS version numbering, and much more to discuss ahead of next week’s event. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin tries to convince Chance to use his Vision Pro on the plane. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by Insta360: Get a free 45-inch invisible selfie stick with your Insta360 X5 purchase at store.insta360.com with promo code happyhour. Available for the first 30 purchases only, so act quick.
• Sponsored by Storyworth: Give all the “dads” in your life a unique, heartfelt gift that you’ll all cherish for years. Save $10 on your first purchase at storyworth.com/9TO5MAC.
• Sponsored by Oracle: Learn how to cut your cloud bill in half at oracle.com/HAPPYHOUR.