Show Notes
Benjamin and Chance are back, with a news-packed episode just before an exciting week of Apple hardware launches. But first, iOS 26.4 beta is here, a deep red color is rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, and Bloomberg details some of the software affordances coming to macOS to support the touch screen MacBook Pro. Also, Samsung surprises with a clever dynamic privacy display on their new flagship phones.
And in Happy Hour Plus, the creators of Dark Sky have left Apple to form a new weather app for enthusiasts, Acme Weather. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.
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Hosts
Chance Miller
@ChanceHMiller on Twitter
@ChanceHMiller on Instagram
@ChanceHMiller on Threads
Benjamin Mayo
@bzamayo on Twitter
@bzamayo on Threads
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Links
New Apple product launch starts Monday, Tim Cook confirms
Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display is the best new feature in years
iOS 26.4 beta 2: Here's what's new
iOS 26.4 beta 2 adds support for testing encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android
Apple testing 'deep red' color for iPhone 18 Pro, but iPhone Fold may skip the fun: report
iPhone 18 Pro design could include an exciting first
New M6 MacBook Pro details revealed, including Dynamic Island, touch, more
Apple announces plans to manufacture some new Macs in the United States this year
Apple shares more details, photos, and video of US Mac mini plant
Apple’s low-cost MacBook might lack these features
Apple battling rising component costs in low-cost MacBook production
New ‘Acme Weather’ app from Dark Sky creators wants to fix weather apps’ biggest problem
More from 9to5Mac Happy Hour
Ahead of its official launch, Chance has spent a week with the iPhone Duo and he is here to tell us all about his experiences with Apple’s new foldable phone, including the various poses, state of the software, Touch ID versus Face ID, battery life and more. Also, Apple announces yet another product event, so we preview what the company is preparing to ‘Pro and tell’ us.
Benjamin and Chance react to Apple’s smart home event, with first impressions on the new Apple HomeView smart display, the insanely priced Apple TV 4K (fourth-generation), and the HomePod mini refresh. It remains to be seen whether these new initiatives in the Apple Home Collection can help move the needle on smart home uptake at large, but it’s a good start.
Benjamin and Chance talk about this week’s Apple news, ahead of a bevy of product announcements coming later this month. Apple is reportedly partnering with LG on a range of smart home accessories, and changes are coming to Full Disk Access permissions. Note: This episode was recorded before Apple officially announced its ‘Welcome home’ event.
Benjamin and Chance discuss the final Apple smart display rumors with a release for the ‘HomePad’ rumored for October 13, although the small square screen form factor remains puzzling. Also, leaked photos of the iPad mini and HomePod mini suggest those long-awaited updates are also imminent, John Ternus apparently wants to make Apple more nimble, and Chance has thoughts on the new Apple Watch Readiness feature.
Benjamin and Chance cover the week in Apple news, including hands-on with the new M6 Mac mini and AirPods 5, the first round of bug fixes for the new operating systems, Apple Music Hall, and more.