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9to5Mac Happy Hour

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A weekly podcast discussing the latest in Apple and technology.

A weekly podcast discussing the latest in Apple and technology.

9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, Pocket CastsStitcher, TuneInGoogle Play Music, or through our dedicated RSS feed.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year to get ad-free episodes every week. 

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Apple’s latest DMA changes, new iPad Pro details, Apple AI ads platform 

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.

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M3 MacBook Air, iOS 17.4 released, Apple TV+ content catalog

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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Apple Car canceled, iOS 18 design changes, AirPods with cameras

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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Apple AI coming to Spotlight search, new Sports app, iPhone 15 battery re-rated

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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HomePod with a screen leaks, foldable iPhone rumors, visionOS 1.1 features

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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9to5Mac Happy Hour: The one-week hands on review of Apple Vision Pro 

9to5mac happy hour

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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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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EU App Store sideloading and commission changes, Vision Pro reviews, iOS 17.4 features

9to5mac happy hour

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 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.

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iPhone 16 rumors, revised Apple Car expectations, and Apple’s unflinching 27% cut

9to5mac happy hour

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.

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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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Apple Vision Pro specs, preorders, and more hands-on experiences

9to5mac happy hour

Chance talks about his second time going hands-on with the Apple Vision Pro, including trying the newly announced Disney+ experiences. We also discuss the preorder process, and the newly released tech specs and accessories for Apple’s upcoming headset. There’s also an ongoing debacle about exactly what third party apps, if any, will be available on visionOS at launch.

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Vision Pro launch details, iPhone camera upgrades, AirTag 2 rumors

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss Apple’s announcement of Vision Pro pre-orders and launch dates, and dive into what we still don’t know. Also, Ming-Chi Kuo has some details on future iPhone camera upgrades, Apple’s anti-trust concerns continue, and the latest Apple TV+ news. 

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Vision Pro launch nears, CarPlay roadtrip, Apple AI deals

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance are back from the holidays. Chance retells his experience using CarPlay and EV routing in Apple Maps, the Apple Watch is (temporarily?) back on shelves, Apple is reportedly in talks with news publishers about licensing content for its AI systems, and all signs point to an impending Vision Pro release.

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2023 Apple year in review: iPhone 15, 15-inch MacBook Air, Vision Pro unveiling, and more

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance look back on the year in Apple news, assessing the state of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the rest of Apple’s product lineup in light of the 2023 releases, and what is rumored to come in 2024. 

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Apple Watch sales ban, next-gen CarPlay previewed, Ask9to5Mac

Benjamin and Chance discuss the wild situation of the Apple Watch sales ban in the US as part of an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo over blood oxygen sensor patents. Also, Apple has finally shared details of the first vehicles featuring next-generation CarPlay, Apple News+ adds The Athletic, and we round out the year with some #Ask9to5Mac questions.

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iOS 17.2 released, Stolen Device Protection, Beeper blocked

9to5mac happy hour

iOS 17.2 is finally here, and Benjamin and Chance break down all the new features. iOS 17.3 introduces new opt-in measures to protect against shoulder surfing thieves. Also, Apple blocks Beeper Mini, launches a USB-C case for AirPods Pro 2, and plans to start offering incentives for artists to make their songs available in Spatial Audio on Apple Music.

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M3 MacBook Air coming early 2024, Beeper brings iMessage to Android, iOS 17.2 beta features

9to5mac happy hour

iOS 17.2 beta release candidate is here with a few surprise changes in store, while Apple formally retires the iTunes TV Shows and Movies apps in tvOS. An impressive new app called Beeper brings iMessage to Android in the right way. There’s also talk of an Apple-Paramount streaming bundle, and the M3 MacBook Air might be released sooner than we thought. Benjamin and Chance discuss it all.

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iOS 17.2 beta 4, Vision Pro launch date, Apple Card partnership falters 

9to5mac happy hour

Chance has some more thoughts about his new MacBook Pro, then he and Benjamin dive into the changes in iOS 17.2 beta 4, Apple services debut their Year-in-Review press, Apple seems to be on the edge of ditching Goldman Sachs for the Apple Card, and there are even more hints about when we can expect the Vision Pro to actually go on sale.

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RCS coming to iPhone, Apple Black Friday, Ask9to5Mac

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance react to the shocking news that Apple is adopting RCS for iPhone messaging, likely with iOS 18 next year, and its implications on the ecosystem at large. We also answer your begging questions in #Ask9to5Mac, on this special holiday episode. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

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New iOS 17.2 beta features, 2024 iPad roadmap, Vision Pro spatial videos 

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss the latest features in iOS 17.2, Mark Gurman teases a major ‘ambitious’ iOS 18 update, Ming-Chi Kuo provides a 2024 roadmap for what to expect from iPad hardware, and Apple gives some press a hands-on demo of spatial videos viewed through Apple Vision Pro.

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Hands on with the new MacBook Pro, iOS 17.2 features, future of the iMac

9to5mac happy hour

Following the review embargo lifting for the M3 iMac and MacBook Pro lineup this week, Chance talks about his hands-on experience with the new MacBook Pro. Benjamin and Chance also discuss the uncharacteristic Apple PR statement about the future of the iMac roadmap, the disappointing outlook for the AirPods Max, and all the new features coming in iOS 17.2.

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M3 chip announced, new MacBook Pro and iMac reactions

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance discuss everything Apple announced at its October Halloween-themed event, including all the nuances of the M3 Apple Silicon generation, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the (somewhat) updated iMac.

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Apple October event, M3 Macs, AI features in iOS 18, AirPods rumors

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance are thrilled to see Apple switching it up a bit for this end-of-month video event streaming, for the first time, in the evening. They talk about what they expect to see at the start of the M3 Apple Silicon Mac generation. iOS 17.1 has shipped with some cool new additions to Apple Music, meanwhile Apple is said to be hard at work integrating AI features into all parts of iOS 18. Plus, TV+ price rises and the rumored 2024 roadmap for new AirPods models.

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New Apple Pencil, cheaper Vision Pro details, iPhone 15 sales stumble

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance analyze the good and (mostly) bad of the Apple Pencil lineup, following the announcement of the new USB-C model this week. Also, there are details about what Apple will cut from a cheaper Vision Pro model; how critical is EyeSight to the product, really? Listeners back up Chance’s poor CarPlay GPS experiences, more iPhone camera testing at ACL, and Apple TV+’s new film strategy begins today.

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iPhone 15 Pro Max camera experiences, iOS 17.1 beta 3, CarPlay bugs

9to5mac happy hour

Chance discusses his experience using the iPhone 15 Pro Max to take photos and videos at a concert, and how the Camera app leaves much to be desired for these use cases. Also, CarPlay troubles, the knock-on impact of Benjamin’s phone number changeover, and the iPhone 12 radiation remedy to appease the French government. 

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Apple Watch Double Tap, Apple/Google search deal trial, iPhone 15 overheating resolved

9to5mac happy hour

Benjamin and Chance go hands-on with Apple Watch Double Tap and all the changes in the latest iOS 17.1 beta, wrap up the iPhone 15 #overheatinggate fiasco, dive deep into the ongoing Google trial that is revealing all sorts of details about the Apple search deal, and discuss why Formula 1 is a good target for Apple’s sports streaming ambitions. 

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