Zac Hall is a Senior Editor, covering Apple, AI, and the modern technology landscape.
He joined 9to5Mac in April 2013, originally as a writer and copy editor.
He later served as Lead Editor from May 2016 through December 2020, before shifting focus to creating the Space Explored website.
In 2015, Zac began co-hosting 9to5Mac Happy Hour, establishing the format of the site’s premier podcast, which he hosted for eight years.
In 2018, he created 9to5Mac Daily, providing audio recaps of Apple and technology news each weekday. He also created and hosted multiple seasons of the 9to5Mac Watch Time podcast, a health and fitness-focused interview series.
Zac currently focuses on writing for 9to5Mac. He is based in the lovely Gulf Coast town of Ocean Springs, MS, where he lives with his brilliant kids and Nova, his adventurous Cavachon rescue pup.
Contact: zac@9to5mac.com
Apple made a major U-turn with CarPlay after a decade of not allowing video playback. Starting with iOS 26, Apple technically allows apps to display video through the CarPlay screen while parked. Here’s the latest on where things stand for the feature.
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Apple’s most powerful Mac Studio no longer includes RAM upgrade options. This comes after Apple has seemingly ran out of inventory for the two highest memory options supposed by the machine.
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ChatGPT should feel “smarter and more accurate” starting today, according to OpenAI. That’s because the company is replacing the default model with an update called GPT-5.5 Instant. OpenAI also says the model upgrade cuts back on the “gratuitous emojis” in responses.
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Prime members have access to unlimited photo backup, and Amazon just redesigned its Photos app for iPhone users.
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Apple Watch is gaining a new watch face with the watchOS 26.5 software update. The new option is an analog watch face with a wide range of personalization options. It can be as colorful or as monochromatic as you’d like.
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Wish your Apple Watch would always show your watch face when you glance at it? Be default, Apple Watch will launch certain apps or show the Smart Stack based on your activity. If you prefer to always see your watch face, however, there are a few things to tweak.
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OpenAI now has a new iOS app on the App Store, although it’s not quite Codex related. Instead, it’s a separate version of ChatGPT for iPhone and iPad created specifically for school and work organizations.
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Apple has released the first iOS 26.5 RC build, highlighting three enhancements coming to your iPhone. iOS 26.5 will likely be released to everyone next week.
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The first iOS 26.5 release candidate is now available for iPhone. After several beta versions, this is likely the version of iOS 26.5 that will reach customers in a few days.
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Apple CarPlay recently gained support for AI chatbots, and the third app to add support is coming soon: Grok.
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Look, it’s Friday. OpenAI updated Codex. It has Tamagotchi-style pets. You can make your own. Lil Finder Guy is hovering over my Dock.
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Tim Cook’s Apple may have passed on buying Tesla, but the company sure has an interesting list of smaller companies it bought during the outgoing CEO’s tenure.
Let’s stroll down Mergers and Acquisitions memory lane and revisit some of the top company takeovers during Tim Cook’s time at the top.
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May has arrived, so let’s check in with MacBook Neo inventory for the new month. In April, Apple sold through its online inventory for the month after just 15 days. For May, Apple is starting out the month with MacBook Neo shipping estimates ranging from May 18 to May 26.
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Epic Games has launched its Star Wars-themed Fortnite update for May, and the release comes with the arrival of Fortnite on the iPhone in Japan.
Fortnite returned to the iPhone and iPad in the US this month a year ago. Next, Epic Games is targeting iOS availability in another region soon. Meanwhile, Fortnite’s return to the Mac doesn’t sound too promising.
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ChatGPT remains the top downloaded app on the App Store, and it sounds like OpenAI will launch a new iPhone app soon.
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It’s a big weekend in America for Apple and racing. F1 returns to the U.S. with the Miami Grand Prix happening Sunday on Apple TV.
Meanwhile, Apple and Porsche have collaborated on an anniversary race car design that will be on the track in California, also on May 3.
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OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 upgrade to ChatGPT and Codex appears to be going smoothly, especially compared to the rockier GPT-5.0 release last August.
It turns out OpenAI got ahead of one issue that was brewing before the release of GPT-5.5 models: a goblin fixation.
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Apple is saving its big Siri upgrade for iOS 27’s reveal in June, and it sounds like one of the biggest iPhone apps will benefit. A new report details Siri features coming to the Camera, better Visual Intelligence features, and more.
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When Apple released the iPhone 17e, it doubled the storage and added what it calls the “magic of MagSafe” to the $599 iPhone 16e replacement. Apple’s decision to bring MagSafe to the last iPhone holdout meant every iPhone includes a useful hardware feature that zero Samsung phones offer.
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In January, we learned about an upcoming Philips Hue mode called SpatialAware. As of today, the “more natural and immersive” smart lighting feature has arrived. Philips Hue video doorbell owners also have two new features ready for action.
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Perplexity has been early to the AI-browsing space with its Comet web browser. Today’s Comet update includes some welcome features for iPad users.
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Pedometer++ has logged a lot of miles since first unlocking step tracking on the iPhone 5s in 2013. Nearly 13 years of updates later, version 8.0 arrives with a redesigned Apple Watch experience that includes an all-new Expedition Mode. Pedometer++ also touts a “highly-usable workout picker” for Apple Watch users frustrated by watchOS 26’s Workout app.
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Anthropic is targeting creative professionals with its latest Claude AI update. The company has released nine new Claude connectors that work with creative tools like Blender and more.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook is making the rounds in Washington D.C. this week, just days after Apple announced its CEO transition plan. This fall, John Ternus will become Apple CEO with Cook remaining active as Executive Chairman of the Board.
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