iPhone 17 leads Apple earnings record, new MacBooks near, and a mysterious $2B acquisition 

iPhone 17 leads Apple earnings record, new MacBooks near, and a mysterious $2B acquisition 

Author: 9to5Mac February 5, 2026 Duration: 1:01:45
Benjamin and Chance speculate on Apple’s mysterious acquisition of Q.ai, the company’s second biggest acquisition ever. The iPhone 17 is a veritable smash hit, leading to an all-time quarterly earnings record. And Apple redesigns the order flow for buying a new Mac, with new MacBooks just around the corner.  And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin realizes he has some overdue spring-cleaning to do on his Desktop folder.  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 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 + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box at HelloFresh.com/happyhour10fm. Hosts Chance Miller @ChanceHMiller on Twitter @ChanceHMiller on Instagram @ChanceHMiller on Threads Benjamin Mayo @bzamayo on Twitter @bzamayo@mastodon.social @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 happyhour@9to5mac.com Links Apple acquires secretive Q․ai startup for $2 billion Apple reports record-breaking Q1 2026 earnings Apple revamps how you buy a Mac online New MacBook Pro release date: Here's when M5 Pro and M5 Max might debut Latest macOS 26.3 beta adds to signs that new Macs are imminent Will the Studio Display 2 have this key upgrade? Studio Display refresh looms with three key upgrades Apple announces agentic coding in Xcode with Claude Agent and Codex integration CarPlay Ultra coming to at least one new car later this year, per report Tesla still working on CarPlay support, here's what we know

Every week, the conversation around the latest Apple news, rumors, and products finds a natural home on 9to5Mac Happy Hour. Hosts Benjamin Mayo and Chance Miller, drawing from their deep expertise at 9to5Mac, don't just report the headlines-they dig into the context, the implications, and the often-overlooked details that matter to enthusiasts and professionals alike. This isn't a dry recap; it's a thoughtful, often lively discussion that feels like pulling up a chair with friends who genuinely understand the ecosystem. You'll hear analysis on everything from the smallest software tweak in a new beta to the strategic shifts behind major hardware announcements, all filtered through a practical lens. The tone is informed yet accessible, making complex topics understandable. For anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the fast-moving world of Apple and broader technology, this podcast provides essential weekly listening that’s both insightful and genuinely engaging. Tune in to get the clarity and perspective that goes beyond the usual tech chatter.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

9to5Mac Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
March Apple event week kicks off with iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:29
Benjamin and Chance discuss the just-announced iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air, as Apple begins its week of product launches. As well as bit of speculation about what is to come on Tuesday and Wednesday, the duo also respond…
Apple event confirmed, iOS 26.4 features, Apple AI devices  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:07
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 o…
Creator Studio bundle, AirTag 2, new Siri features coming soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:05
Benjamin and Chance review the proposition of the Creator Studio bundle now it is finally available, as well as some weirdness in the choices made of the apps in it. Also, Benjamin has been using his new AirTags for the…
iOS 27 chatbot, Apple AI pin, iPhone 18 Dynamic Island rumors  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:00
Benjamin and Chance get excited for the upcoming Siri roadmap, with Bloomberg reporting that the delayed features will arrive with 26.4 and a full chatbot experience is due before the end of the year. The Information say…
Holiday tech support, Hold Assist, Ask9to5Mac [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:53
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 A…
Apple 2025 Review of the Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:20
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 2…