iOS 26.2 new features, App Store on web, Gemini Siri deal confirmed

Benjamin and Chance discuss all the new features in iOS 26.2, including some fancy Podcast AI updates and a puzzling decision to remove Apple Watch Wi-Fi syncing in the EU. Also, Apple launches a browsable App Store on the web, and is set to pay $1bn annually to Google to use Gemini models as the underpinning of new Siri. And in Happy Hour Plus, the pair react to the new Apple TV intro, and get hyped for the premiere of Vince Gilligan’s new series, Pluribus. Sponsored by Hydrow: Skip the gym, not the workout. Use code HAPPYHOUR to get $100 off any Hydrow rower. Sponsored by Square: Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/happyhour. Sponsored by NordStellar: Protect your business today at nordstellar.com/happyhour and use code blackfriday20 to save 20%. 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 Apple releases iOS 26.1 for iPhone with these changes iOS 26.1: Here are Apple's official release notes Everything new in iOS 26.2 beta 1 AirPods Live Translation feature coming to the EU next month iOS 26.2 will remove a key iPhone and Apple Watch feature in EU, per report iOS 26.2 includes three helpful upgrades to Apple Podcasts app iOS 26.2’s Apple News app has a new and improved design iOS 26.2 brings a small but great Apple Music upgrade watchOS 26.2 makes a big change to Sleep Score, here’s what’s different Apple launches rich new web interface for the App Store Apple's new Siri will secretly use Google Gemini models behind the scenes Apple nears $1 billion Google deal for custom Gemini model to power Siri Apple reports Q4 2025 earnings, here are the numbers [charts] Apple says holiday quarter will be biggest ever in company history