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
iPhone roadmap rumors, iOS 26.2 released, Apple Music in ChatGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:05
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 Black Friday, AirDrop on Android, macOS Tahoe thoughts  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:46
Benjamin and Chance give their opinion on the 2025 Apple holiday ad ‘A Critter Carol’, and talk about some of the Apple tech deals they’ve found this Black Friday. Also, there’s more clarity on the Apple Watch WiFi sync…
iPhone Pocket, iOS 26.2 beta 2, and the iPhone Air’s future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:56
Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in the 26.2 betas, including a clever new Edge Light mode and even more Liquid Glass throughout the system. Apple launches Digital IDs in Wallet, and there are questions a…
iOS 26.2 new features, App Store on web, Gemini Siri deal confirmed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:56
Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in iOS 26.2, including some fancy Podcast AI updates and a puzzling decision to remove Apple Watch Wi-Fi syncing in the EU. Also, Apple launches a browsable App Store on t…
Touchscreen Macs, OLED iPad mini, ads in Apple Maps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:10
Benjamin and Chance react to a bevy of Bloomberg reports about Apple’s future plans, from touchscreen Macs to ads in Apple Maps and a future OLED iPad mini. And in Happy Hour Plus, the 1X NEO robot makes waves with a lau…
Liquid Glass settings, M5 Vision Pro hands on, Apple F1 deal official [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:26
Benjamin and Chance react to the inclusion of a new Liquid Glass toggle in Settings in iOS 26.1 beta 4, and whether it reflects Apple’s lack of confidence in software design. The Apple TV F1 deal is now official, and Cha…