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: 50

9to5Mac Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and AirPods 5 event [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:49
Benjamin and Chance react to the September Apple event in this bumper special episode, featuring our first impressions (and Chance’s initial hands-on from the ground at Apple Park) with iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods…
AirPods with camera leak, iOS 27 beta 6, iPhone 18 Pro cases [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:28
Benjamin and Chance talk about the crazy leak by Apple depicting the new AirPods with cameras in a video demo, the changes in iOS 27 beta 6, their latest experiences with Siri AI, whether iPhone 18 Pro will fit iPhone 17…
Future Apple wearables, iOS 27 beta 5, iPhone 20 details [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:40
Benjamin and Chance talk about all the changes in iOS 27 beta 5, as Apple reportedly takes a fresh look at fitness wearables, details about the glassy iPhone 20, Friday Night Baseball on Vision Pro and more rumors about…
iPhone leasing, Apple Music price increase, iOS 27 beta 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
Benjamin and Chance talk about the last week in Apple News, including the rumored new ‘Apple Upgrade’ leasing program, Apple Music price hike, iOS 27 beta 4 changes, an OLED screen roadmap for future Macs and iPads, and…
iOS 27 public betas are out, Siri AI hands on, and Apple sues OpenAI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:52
Benjamin and Chance talk about their latest experiences with iOS 27 and Siri AI, with Apple releasing the public betas this week so anyone in the whole world can give the new software a go. The company also sued OpenAI t…