Apple's annual special holiday ad is out alongside Black Friday through Cyber Monday promotions, Benjamin and Zac take a retrospective look at Group FaceTime and how it's perfect for the holidays, the prospect an using a cellular Apple Watch with kids, and much more.
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Stories we discuss in this episode:

Apple reportedly cancelling first theatrical movie debut and TV+ release after pulling from film festival
The Banker — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
Apple’s new ‘Make Someone’s Holiday’ ad uses the iPad to create a moment out of memories
Apple announces its Black Friday deals: up to $200 Apple Store gift card with device purchase
Use FaceTime on your Mac - Apple Support
16-inch MacBook Pro top features - a bonafide return to form
Apple Card 3% cashback offer expands to Nike stores
Here's how to tell when iPhone 11 camera is using Deep Fusion
Smart Battery Case for iPhone 11 review
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Apple holiday ad, Apple Watch for kids, Group FaceTime retrospective

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 assess the final iPad rumors ahead of next week’s ‘Let Loose’ event. Beats launches an incredibly compelling new addition to their headphones lineup, the Beats Solo Buds. At the same time, Apple fails to acknowledge what happened with people getting locked out of their Apple IDs over the weekend, in the same week as it releases a statement promising to fix an issue with iPhone alarms. 



And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance discuss what podcast client they currently use and why, and how their listening habits reflect their app preferences. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




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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




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9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus



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




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Monthly bonus episodes




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Feedback 




Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads



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




Links




Beats Solo 4 hands-on: the most iconic Beats headphones just got better



Apple debuts new Beats Solo Buds with 18-hour battery life for $79



Apple's Beats Pill speaker could be about to make a comeback



Apple users are being locked out of their Apple IDs with no explanation



Apple working on fix for bug causing iPhone alarms to not play sounds



iOS 18 rumor: These new AI features are coming to Safari



EU will force Apple to add app sideloading, alternative browser engine support to iPad



Report: iOS 18 to update many of the built-in apps, home screen updates, 'modular' design tweaks



Gurman: New iPad Pro may actually be powered by the M4 chip, touting AI features



M4 iPad Pro: Will Apple put a brand new chip in its next iPad?



New Apple Pencil to include haptic feedback and new gestures

Beats Solo Buds, surprising iPad Pro specs, and iOS 18 rumors

Benjamin and Chance get hyped for the just-announced Apple event, entitled ‘Let Loose’ set for May 7, in which we expect Apple to finally update the iPad hardware lineup. There’s also rumors that Apple is preparing to end FineWoven case production, and a weird curio that the iPhone 17 Plus screen may get slightly smaller. Elsewhere, AirPlay for hotels finally arrives and Apple is nearing a deal to exclusively stream the 2025 FIFA Club Word Cup.



And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance’s Mac broke. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.




Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour.



Sponsored by NordVPN: Go to nordvpn.com/happyhour to get the best discount off your NordVPN plan, along with 4 extra months on the 2-year plan.



Sponsored by Roborock: Get a special deal on the S8 MaxV Ultra Robot Vac & S8 Max Ultra with free gifts for a limited time.












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




9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus



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. 



Feedback 




Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or Threads



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




Links




Apple announces special event for May 7: 'Let Loose'



Tim Cook hints at new Apple Pencil 3 coming next month



Ross Young: New iPad Air won’t feature mini-LED after all, but a new mystery iPad is coming in Q4



Rumor: Apple ends production of FineWoven cases and watch bands, following complaints



Apple still has one more 'season' of FineWoven accessories in the works, but the end is near



Kuo: Apple cuts Vision Pro shipments, now 'reviewing and adjusting' headset strategy



AirPlay streaming launches today on TVs at IHG hotels and resorts



Full list of hotels with AirPlay streaming support



Report: iPhone 17 Plus to feature a smaller screen than current 'Plus' phones



Gurman: iOS 18 AI features to be powered by 'entirely on-device' LLM, offering privacy and speed benefits



Apple nearing billion-dollar streaming TV deal with FIFA; still in the running for NBA rights



Yes, the YouTube app now hijacks your Apple TV's screen saver

iPad Apple event announced, FineWoven winding down, Apple TV FIFA deal

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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9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus



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




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.




Sponsored by Shopify: Grow your business no matter what stage you’re in. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/happyhour.



Sponsored by Fast Growing Trees: Fast Growing Trees makes it easy to order online, and your plants are shipped directly to your door in 1-2 days. Get an additional 15% off with code HAPPYHOUR at checkout.












9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus



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




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.




Sponsored by Zocdoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/happyhour and download the Zocdoc app to sign up for free and book a top-rated doctor. Many are available as soon as today.



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9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus



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




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 holiday ad, Apple Watch for kids, Group FaceTime retrospective

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