Two key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025

Two key Apple executives depart, App Store dealings, and Apple Music Replay 2025

Author: 9to5Mac December 4, 2025 Duration: 1:10:48
Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches.  And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.  Sponsored by Narwal: Narwal is officially launching their Cyber Monday discounts, offering the record-low prices of its entire lineup up to 49% off. Sponsored by Hydrow: Train smarter, not longer. The Hydrow rowing machine delivers the best results, in just 20 minutes a day. Use code HAPPYHOUR to save up to $600 at hydrow.com. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by Aura Frames: The best digital picture frames. Get $35 off the best selling Carver Mat Frames with code HAPPYHOUR at on.auraframes.com/HAPPYHOUR. Hosts Chance Miller @chancemiller.me on Bluesky @chancehmiller@mastodon.social @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 John Giannandrea leaving Apple following AI strategy miss Apple design boss Alan Dye departing for Meta Gruber: Apple employees 'giddy' about Alan Dye’s departure Tencent to apply for Apple's new App Store Mini Apps Partner Program Apple launches Mini Apps Partner Program for developers India orders Apple to pre-instal a state security app on iPhones Apple to refuse Indian government order to pre-install state security app on iPhones India says users may delete mandatory state-owned ‘security’ app After Apple refusal, India makes U-turn on mandatory iPhone app Apple Music Replay 2025 personal listening recap is ready to explore and share Spotify Wrapped arrives with a new party feature Pluribus is Apple TV's biggest drama series launch ever Apple TV’s top 10 list that drove signups reveals big surprises

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
Apple Glasses design, iOS 27 features, Creator Studio updates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:41
Benjamin and Chance follow up with increasingly worsening availability of Mac mini and Mac Studio, as well as some interesting iOS 27 tidbits and the first feature updates to the Creator Studio suite. Also, Bloomberg rep…
AirPods Max 2 review, Apple’s anniversary, Mac Pro discontinued [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:17
Benjamin and Chance discuss Apple’s 50th anniversary celebrations, and the same-day news that the Studio Display XDR got $400 cheaper (kinda). Also, Chance reviews the AirPods Max 2, Apple formally discontinues the Mac P…
WWDC announced, iOS 27 Siri, AirPods Max 2  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:45
Benjamin and Chance talk about the surprise AirPods Max 2 announcement, WWDC 2026 is official, and the company confirms that ads are coming to Apple Maps. Also, Bloomberg reports on the latest Siri chatbot designs coming…
MacBook Neo review, Apple leadership changes, iPhone Fold rumors  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:33
Chance and Zac talk through changes to Apple’s leadership website and what they signal for the future. There’s also a pair of new Bloomberg reports focused on Apple’s delayed Siri smart display product, plus the looming…
Apple launches new MacBook Neo, Studio Display XDR, MacBook Pro, more [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:05
Chance and Zac break down Apple’s Mac announcements of the week. There’s the M5 MacBook Air and more powerful MacBook Pro models with an intriguing new chip architecture and naming scheme. Plus, the new Studio Display “f…