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Zac Hall

apollozac

Zac Hall is a Senior Editor, covering Apple, apps, and AI. His work is regularly featured by Techmeme.

He joined 9to5Mac in 2013. He later served as Lead Editor from 2016 through 2020, before 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 hosted multiple seasons of the 9to5Mac Watch Time podcast, a health and fitness-focused interview series.

Zac is based in the lovely Gulf Coast town of Ocean Springs, MS, where he lives with his brilliant kids and Nova, his loyal Cavachon rescue.

Contact: zac@9to5mac.com

Connect with Zac Hall

Unsealed Apple Pay ruling explains Fintiv’s Texas retreat and weakens new Georgia case

Tap to Pay on iPhone lands in Malaysia, but not yet in Apple's own store | iPhone-to-iPhone payment shown

A newly unsealed opinion shows why Apple had little patience for Fintiv’s long-running claims in Texas. As it turns out, after seven years of litigation, Fintiv still could not point to any evidence that Apple Pay or Apple Wallet ever used the kind of “widget” described in its patent. That finding explains the company’s abrupt retreat in Texas and bodes poorly for its latest attempt to profit off Apple Pay in Georgia.

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Apple Watch regains edge in one key way

Apple Watch Ultra blood oxygen sensor

Apple Watch users in the United States are finally seeing Blood Oxygen readings return after nearly a year-long absence. Apple was forced to disable the feature on new Apple Watch hardware sold in the US following a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo.

The fix, released across this week and last, is a practical solution that works well, especially in helping Apple Watch remain competitive with the health and fitness focused Whoop product.

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This smart fitness product could be the perfect companion for Apple Watch

August 18 update: 921 backers have pledged over $190,000 to Avelo Running! The campaign ends in just four days on Friday at noon ET in case any readers wanted to back the project and hit the ground running as early as possible.


Avelo Running is a fitness-focused startup that recently came out of stealth to unveil their first product. What the company is building has the potential to be the perfect running companion for Apple Watch. Any runner with a smartphone can benefit, though, without bringing a phone or watch along for the run.

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Jeff Williams isn’t the last senior level executive exit coming for Apple

Apple Park | AAPL (9to5Mac image)

Who is the next senior level executive planning to leave Apple? Mark Gurman dropped a clue in his Power On newsletter this week.

Responding to a question about Apple’s current succession plan, especially after Jeff Williams’ upcoming retirement, Gurman says there is pretty explicit talk within the company about more senior level departures coming.

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