9to5Mac Happy Hour

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.

Hosts

Chance Miller

@ChanceHMiller on Twitter

@ChanceHMiller on Instagram

@ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

@bzamayo on Twitter

@[email protected]

@bzamayo on Threads

Subscribe, Rate, and Review

Apple Podcasts

Overcast

Spotify

9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus

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

Bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26 until February 1.

Feedback

Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads

Email us feedback and questions to [email protected]

Links

Apple confirms Google's Gemini will power new Siri features

Apple to fine-tune Gemini independently, no Google branding on Siri, more

Apple will pay billions for Gemini after OpenAI declined

Will Apple-Google AI deal impact user privacy? Here’s what Apple says

Eddy Cue touts ‘record-breaking year’ for Apple services, including TV, Music, more

Apple debuts 'Apple Creator Studio' subscription, here's what you get

Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Freeform becoming freemium apps

Apple announces Pixelmator Pro is coming to iPad

Apple Creator Studio Icon History

What it’s like to watch an NBA game courtside in Apple Vision Pro

Apple gift card safety questioned after terrifying account lockout

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/happyhour.

Hosts

Chance Miller

@ChanceHMiller on Twitter

@ChanceHMiller on Instagram

@ChanceHMiller on Threads

Benjamin Mayo

@bzamayo on Twitter

@[email protected]

@bzamayo on Threads

Subscribe, Rate, and Review

Apple Podcasts

Overcast

Spotify

9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus

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

Bonus episodes

Join for $5 per month or $50 a year at 9to5mac.com/join. Join now and save 26% on annual plans with code HAPPY26.

Feedback

Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads

Email us feedback and questions to [email protected]

Links

Apple drops cryptic teaser for Apple Fitness+: ‘Something big is coming’ in 2026

Apple Fitness+ launches new features for building exercise habits

How Apple Watch helps people make it past ‘Quitter’s Day’ with their fitness resolutions

Apple confirms Chase takeover for Apple Card and reveals new details

Apple reportedly finds Apple Card partner to replace Goldman Sachs

How to watch Lakers NBA games in Apple Immersive on Apple Vision Pro

Mayo's screen recording

Apple announces sweeping App Store and iPhone changes in Japan

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

@[email protected]

@bzamayo on Threads

Subscribe, Rate, and Review

Apple Podcasts

Overcast

Spotify

9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus

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

Bonus episodes

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

Feedback

Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads

Email us feedback and questions to [email protected]

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

@[email protected]

@bzamayo on Threads

Subscribe, Rate, and Review

Apple Podcasts

Overcast

Spotify

9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus

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

Bonus episodes

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

Feedback

Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads

Email us feedback and questions to [email protected]

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

@[email protected]

@bzamayo on Threads

Subscribe, Rate, and Review

Apple Podcasts

Overcast

Spotify

9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus

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

Bonus episodes

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

Feedback

Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads

Email us feedback and questions to [email protected]

Links

iOS 26.2 adds these new features to your iPhone

iOS 26.3: New features for your iPhone

Apple Music is coming to ChatGPT, OpenAI announces

Apple Music app now available on ChatGPT, here’s how to use it

Eight new iPhones in the works, here's what we know

New M5 iMac model aimed at pro users might be coming, per leak