This week on 9to5Mac's Happy Hour, Apple welcomes a new corporate communications chief, as the company draws criticism for a new high-profile hire. Zac and Benjamin also cover the latest in smart home Matters, AirTag hacks, and look forward to watchOS 8.



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Apple hires, AirTag hacks, watchOS 8 feature requests

A weekly podcast discussing the latest in Apple and technology. Hosted by 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo and Chance Miller.

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Benjamin and Chance discuss the latest in Apple news, including Web Distribution for EU users launching in iOS 17.5 beta 2, we get our first sense of the M4 Mac release scheduled and the company opens up its third-party repair policies further. Also, the Humane Ai Pin debuts to a very mixed critical response.



And in Happy Hour Plus, we talk about our multitasking and window management habits on macOS. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.



Note from Chance: We had some technical difficulties this week, so the audio quality isn't up to our normal standards. We apologize and will be back to normal next time!




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Game Boy emulator now available on the iPhone following App Store rules change [update: gone]



iPhone 'iGBA' emulator removed from App Store, but we aren't sure why



Here's why Apple removed the first Game Boy emulator from the App Store



The Verge’s Humane AI Pin review



MKBHD’s AI Pin review



iOS 17.5 beta 2 coming today with new Web Distribution sideloading feature in the EU



Apple will relax repair policy to allow used genuine parts with select iPhones



Apple's John Ternus defends iPhone parts pairing as 'not evil'



Here's when to expect the first M4 Macs to launch



Apple aiming to release first M4-powered Macs this year with a focus on AI

iOS 17.5 beta 2, M4 Mac schedule, Humane Pin reviews

Benjamin and Chance delve into the latest rounds of iOS 18 rumors, including a curious discovery of a new ‘Safari browser assistant’ in development. Apple has also changed the rules surrounding game emulators in the App Store, with somewhat unclear implications. Apple News+ adds a new Quartile word puzzle, and the wait for the new iPad Pro continues.



And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance considers his smart home strategy ahead of the move to his new house. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




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Benjamin Mayo




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Rumor: iOS 18 to include new 'Safari browsing assistant' AI feature



iOS 18 reportedly bringing these two upgrades to Apple Maps



iPadOS 18 rumored to drop support for these iPads; iOS 18 support unchanged



How Apple is making sure Vision Pro doesn't end up like Google Glass



App Store guidelines now allow game emulators; more



iOS 17.5 expands Puzzles collection with leaderboards and new 'Quartiles' word game



New iPad Pro and iPad Air launch likely set for second week of May, expect iPad Pro price increases



iPadOS 17.5 confirms new display for next-gen iPad Pro

iOS 18 rumors, game emulators in the App Store, Vision Pro camera access

Benjamin and Chance discuss the bizarre idea that Apple is interested in making a humanoid robot to help with household chores, as its “next big thing”. Also, Apple launches the first ever sports ‘film’ shot in Immersive Video, and releases Spatial Personas for all Vision Pro users.



And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin discusses the frustrations of driving theory test iPhone apps. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




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Hosts



Chance Miller 




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Benjamin Mayo




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Links




Apple launches first ever Immersive Video sports film for Apple Vision Pro



New spatial Persona beta feature launching for Apple Vision Pro users today



Bloomberg: New iPad Pro and iPad Air updates expected in 'early May'



iOS 17.5 beta 1: Here's everything new



iPadOS 17.5 hints at new 'squeeze' gesture for Apple Pencil 3



Gurman: Apple working on personal robotics as next skunk-works project



Apple sues former iOS engineer for leaking Journal app, Vision Pro details, and more

Apple home robots, Spatial Personas on Vision Pro, iOS 17.5 beta

Benjamin and Chance go deep on the Department of Justice vs. Apple suit, in which the DOJ alleges Apple’s iPhone monopoly is illegally maintained. In happier news, Apple announced the dates for WWDC 2024 where we expect to see major AI announcements as part of iOS 18, and much more.



And in Happy Hour Plus, we rank our favorite WWDC invite artwork from the last decade. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




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Introducing 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes: 




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Hosts



Chance Miller 




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@chancehmiller@mastodon.social



@ChanceHMiller on Instagram 



@ChanceHMiller on Threads




Benjamin Mayo




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Links




WWDC 2024 confirmed for June 10: iOS 18 and more expected



Apple teases 'Absolutely Incredible' AI-focused WWDC



Apple says DOJ 'threatens who we are' as it vows to 'vigorously defend' against iPhone antitrust lawsuit



United States sues Apple: Read the full DOJ lawsuit document here



Apple says it spent three years trying to bring Apple Watch to Android



Understanding the DOJ's Antitrust Complaint Against Apple - MacStories



WWDC artwork over the years



Mac OS X Mavericks banner

WWDC 2024 announced, DOJ sues Apple

Benjamin and Chance react to the news that Apple is partnering with Google to use their Gemini models to power some AI features coming in iOS 18. Also, there’s more details about the two new AirPods models set to debut later this year. There’s also rumors about anti-reflective matte screens for iPhone and iPad, and Walmart announces that it is selling Macs for the first time, starting with the cut-price $699 M1 MacBook Air.



In Happy Hour Plus: Chance tells Mayo about his experience seeing the Rivian R2. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




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Introducing 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



Monthly bonus episodes




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



Hosts



Chance Miller 




@ChanceHMiller on Twitter



@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




Feedback 




Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads



Email us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com 




Links




Walmart begins selling the Mac for the first time: M1 MacBook Air for $699 [Updated]



Mass production of two new AirPods models to start in May, targeting fall release



iOS 18 to include new 'hearing aid mode' for AirPods Pro, report says



Apple might use Google Gemini to power some iPhone AI features



Apple says DOJ ‘threatens who we are’ as it vows to ‘vigorously defend’ against iPhone antitrust lawsuit



NYTimes echoes report of AI partnership talks between Apple and Google



Apple to be sued by US Department of Justice for antitrust as soon as tomorrow



Rumor: iPhone 17 to have new anti-reflective display



New iPad Pro could be available in new matte screen option, rumor claims

Apple hires, AirTag hacks, watchOS 8 feature requests

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