9to5Mac Happy Hour – Details, episodes & analysis

Benjamin and Chance get hyped for Apple’s upcoming ‘Glowtime’ September event, discussing some last-minute rumors and leaks about the products on deck. They discuss the market for the rumored plastic body Apple Watch SE, the latest on the M4 Mac mini redesign, and the iOS 18 Sports app gets a feature it should have had from the beginning. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin checks in with Chance’s Vision Pro usage and rallies against the narrative that “AI” has somehow supplanted “AR”.

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Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• Apple Watch SE might switch from aluminum to plastic
• Report: Apple testing next-gen Apple Watch SE made with plastic to cut costs
• This is probably the new gold titanium iPhone 16 Pro color
• M4 Mac mini likely to lose support for USB-A, keep internal power supply
• Apple Music adds five new personalized 'Mood' stations
• Apple Sports brings live scores to your iPhone lock screen with iOS 18

The September iPhone event is official! Benjamin and Chance break down what they expect to see on September 9. Also, Apple releases iOS 18.1 beta 3 with the new AI photos Clean Up feature, an expansion of notification summaries, and Apple SVP Luca Maestri announces he is transitioning out of the CFO role. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance marvels at how Homebridge is more reliable than the official Matter integration for HomeKit. And Ted Lasso season 4 is all but confirmed.

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Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• Chance on The Talk Show
• Apple officially announces iPhone 16 event
• Apple event coming soon: iPhone 16, AirPods 4, and more
• iOS 18.1 beta 3 lets you remove distractions from pictures with new 'Clean Up' feature
• iOS 18.1 beta 3 brings Apple Intelligence notification summaries to all apps
• iOS 18 adding default app controls for messaging, phone calls, navigation, and more in the EU
• Rumor: AirPods Pro 3 coming ‘soon’ with ‘much better’ noise cancellation
• Apple announces CFO transition coming soon, names Luca Maestri successor
• Gurman: Apple issues fourth known round of layoffs this year with Services job cuts

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.

• 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.
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• Sponsored by Chargeasap: Introducing Connect Pro Magnetic charging cables, the world’s first 100W magnetic USB cable with LED power reader. Available now with special launch pricing.

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• Review: Beats Solo Buds set a new standard
• Hands-on: The Beats Pill is back and better than ever
• US carriers enabling RCS for iPhone users running iOS 18 beta 2
• EU App Store changes for iPad now available to test with second iPadOS 18 beta
• Hands-on with iPhone Mirroring with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia
• Hands-on with SharePlay Remote Control on iPadOS 18 [Video]
• Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring to Mac, and SharePlay Screen Sharing won’t be available in the EU at launch
• EU says Apple anti-steering rules in breach of DMA, officially investigating Core Technology Fee terms
• Apple TV app adds new 'Catch Up' feature for live streaming sports in MLS Season Pass
• Apple announces first premium podcast, available to listen early access with Apple TV+ subscription

Benjamin and Chance answer some Ask9to5Mac questions to celebrate Happy Hour’s 500th episode, with commentary on upcoming Apple products, as well as some meta questions about the podcast itself. They also chat about the fact that Apple Podcasts is now available on the web, and how the rumored brown iPhone 16 is actually be in vogue.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Ask9to5Mac continues with questions about Benjamin and Chance’s career, and what could we imagine we’d be doing if 9to5Mac hadn’t panned out.

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Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• Apple Podcasts launches web app, listen to your Up Next queue and library in a browser
• Beats Studio Pro gain multi-user audio sharing with new firmware
• iPhone 16 Pro’s new color could be called ‘Desert Titanium’
• New image reveals iPhone 16 Pro in new 'bronze' color
• iPhone 16 colors: Here's what to expect next month

Benjamin and Chance get excited about the news of an enticing Mac mini redesign coming this fall, talk about the changes in the latest iOS 18 betas, and question the appeal of the rumored $1000 table-top HomePod device. Plus, Apple tries to appease regulators with new policies for iPhone NFC and external link outs in the EU.

And in Happy Hour Plus, we debate Apple TV+ movie performance in light of the news that Wolfs is no longer getting a wide theatrical release. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• macOS Sequoia will now prompt you monthly (not weekly) for screen recording permissions
• Apple preparing major Mac mini redesign for later this year, report says
• Apple is opening the iPhone's NFC chip to third-party apps with iOS 18.1
• Here's what developers can do with the new NFC API for iPhone
• What's new in the latest iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 betas?
• Apple announces new fee structure for apps in the EU that link out to the web for purchases
• Bloomberg: Apple targeting sub-$1,000 price for iPad-like robotic home device
• Apple cancels wide theatrical release for 'Wolfs' movie starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, streaming date announced

Benjamin and Chance give their feedback on the new features unveiled in iOS 18 beta 5, including Distraction Control and significant Photos app design changes. Apple oversteps the mark with screen recording permission dialogs in macOS Sequoia, the DOJ wins their antitrust case against Google, game developers report frustrations with Apple Arcade, and more.

And in Happy Hour Plus, we speculate on which model M4 Mac will be getting a big overhaul this generation. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• 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.
• Sponsored by ExpressVPN: Visit ExpressVPN.com/9to5mac to learn more and get three extra months for free.

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• macOS Sequoia adds weekly permission prompt for screenshot and screen recording apps - 9to5Mac
• Google’s $20B default search deal with Apple violates antitrust law, judge rules - 9to5Mac
• Apple Arcade developers frustrated by long delays in getting paid, no incentives to make Vision Pro games - 9to5Mac
• Disney+ adds its fifth immersive Environment for Apple Vision Pro - 9to5Mac
• New SpongeBob SquarePants Environment comes to Apple Vision Pro - 9to5Mac
• iOS 18 beta 5: Here's what's new - 9to5Mac
• iOS 18 beta 5 adds new Distraction Control feature for Safari - 9to5Mac
• Apple removes Carousel in Photos as part of changes based on iOS 18 beta feedback - 9to5Mac
• Report: M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac on track for this year - 9to5Mac

Benjamin and Chance spend most of the episode discussing iOS 18.1 with the debut of the first Apple Intelligence beta. That includes the new Writing Tools, notification summaries and Reduce Interruptions focus mode. It also features a new design for Siri, but lacks most of the new Siri functionality set to come later, which seems like an unenforced error.

And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo reflect on their favorite podcast player apps, in light of the recently overhauled Overcast launch. Join at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by 1Password: Make sure that your family and their data are safe online. Everyone, from children to grandparents, has a digital identity – along with logins and passwords to who-knows-how-many things. Managing these accounts doesn’t have to feel like a chore. 1Password makes it easy to keep your family’s credentials safe online. Try a Free 14 day trial today.
• Sponsored by Oracle: Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/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

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• iPhone 16 colors and redesigned camera bump revealed in new image
• New image shows off iPhone 16 Pro colors, including darker Black Titanium
• iOS 18 beta 4: Here's what's new
• iOS 18.1 beta 1 now available with first Apple Intelligence features
• Smarter Siri with personal context understanding coming later this year in iOS 18 update
• These Apple Intelligence features aren’t in the first iOS 18.1 beta
• Hands on with Apple Intelligence writing tools in iOS 18.1

Benjamin and Chance talk about the week’s Apple’s news and rumors, including some wild details about the direction of the new ‘Slim’ model coming in the iPhone 17 next year, iOS 18 beta 4, Apple Maps launches on the web, and there’s some new Vision Pro content announcements. Apple TV+ is also in focus as Apple reportedly looks to license more catalog content, while reining in budgets for some of its originals. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo reflect on their favorite podcast player apps, in light of the recently overhauled Overcast launch. Join 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 Oracle: Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/HAPPYHOUR
• Sponsored by 1Password: Make sure that your family and their data are safe online. Everyone, from children to grandparents, has a digital identity – along with logins and passwords to who-knows-how-many things. Managing these accounts doesn’t have to feel like a chore. 1Password makes it easy to keep your family’s credentials safe online. Try a Free 14 day trial today.

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• Rivian CEO addresses lack of CarPlay in new interview
• New leak details every iPhone 17 spec and feature
• Rumor: New ultra-thin iPhone 17 will have just one camera
• Apple's work on next-gen iPhone camera upgrades and more detailed in new report
• Report: Foldable iPhone is coming in 2026 with top-down fold design
• iOS 18 beta 4: Here's what's new
• Download new CarPlay wallpapers coming with iOS 18
• Apple reveals new Immersive Video content coming soon to Vision Pro
• New Lake Vrangla Environment rolling out now to Apple Vision Pro users
• Apple Maps launches on the web in new public beta
• Apple TV+ attempts to rein in budgets on new projects, as The Morning Show season four spends $50 million on cast alone
• Report: Apple TV+ to license films from more studios to bolster catalog

Benjamin and Chance give their thoughts on their favorite iOS 18 features, the ongoing debate about the redesigned Photos app, and more changes, as the OS hits public beta. There’s also been some focus on the data used to train Apple Intelligence, and Apple even released a ‘new’ HomePod this week.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance explains why Matter has just made everything worse, when it comes to the smart home experience. Join at 9to5mac.com/join.

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• Sponsored by Ladder: Go to Ladderlife.com/HappyHour today to see if you’re instantly approved.
• Sponsored by Chargeasap: Introducing Connect Pro Magnetic charging cables, the world’s first 100W magnetic USB cable with LED power reader. Available now with special launch pricing.

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• iOS 18 public beta now available; here are all the new features
• iOS 18 adds new 'Recovered' album to the Photos app for finding lost or damaged content
• Apple releases watchOS 11 public beta 1
• tvOS 18 public beta 1 with InSight feature now available
• macOS Sequoia public beta 1 now available with iPhone Mirroring
• Apple releases new midnight color for HomePod mini, replacing space gray
• New HomePod corroborated by references to 'HomeAccessory'
• Touchscreen-ready interface hidden in tvOS amid HomePod rumors
• Apple trained AI models on YouTube content without consent
• Apple says its OpenELM model doesn't power Apple Intelligence amid YouTube controversy
• Apple TV+ scores Emmy nominations in every major 2024 category

Benjamin finally gets a chance to try a Vision Pro for himself. iOS 18 beta 3 includes some welcome changes to the Photos app and the emoji keyboard, and tvOS beta adds InSight for the first time. There’s also rumors of a rigid plastic Apple Watch, and Ming-Chi Kuo lays out a roadmap for the iPhone’s telephoto zoom lens.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin talks about visiting the Battersea Apple Store, and camping at Silverstone this past weekend, as Apple simultaneously christened its ‘F1’ movie. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by Chargeasap: Introducing Connect Pro Magnetic charging cables, the world’s first 100W magnetic USB cable with LED power reader. Available now with special launch pricing.
• 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 ExpressVPN: Visit ExpressVPN.com/9to5mac to learn more and get three extra months for free.

Chance Miller

• @ChanceHMiller on Twitter
• @chancehmiller@mastodon.social
• @ChanceHMiller on Instagram
• @ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

• @bzamayo on Twitter
• @bzamayo@mastodon.social
• @bzamayo on Threads

• Apple Podcasts
• Overcast
• Spotify

Subscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 

• Ad-free versions of every episode 
• Pre- and post-show content
• Monthly bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. 

• Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads
• Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com

• iOS 18 beta 3 now rolling out to developers
• iOS 18 beta 3: Here's everything new
• iOS 18 beta 3 gives most third-party app icons dark mode versions
• iOS 18’s new ‘dynamic’ wallpaper option changes colors automatically
• Apple TV+ InSight feature now live with iOS 18 and tvOS 18 beta 3
• Apple Watch Series 10 to feature larger screen and thinner design, but new health features could be delayed
• Benjamin's Apple Watch Ultra try-on
• Report: Apple testing next-gen Apple Watch SE made with plastic to cut costs
• iPhone 16 Pro to get same 5x zoom camera as Pro Max, bigger upgrades next year
• Benjamin's Vision Pro photoshoot
• Apple Vision Pro: EyeSight, comfort, and more impressions from my latest demo
• Vision Pro: I just tried Apple's first spatial computer, and here's what I think
• 9to5Mac Happy Hour 438: Hands-on impressions and thoughts on Apple Vision Pro design and features
• Apple’s F1 new details: first trailer, budget dispute, IMAX runtime
• The first Apple TV+ summer blockbuster, Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film, is titled ’F1’