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Avatar for Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin

Jeff Benjamin

Jeff is the head of video content production for 9to5. He joined 9to5Mac in 2016, producing videos, walkthroughs, how-tos, written tutorials, and reviews. He takes pride in explaining things simply, clearly, and concisely. Jeff’s videos have been watched hundreds of millions of times by people seeking to learn more about today’s tech. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube to catch Jeff’s latest videos.

iOS Decoded is Jeff’s flagship video series that breaks down what’s new in iOS betas, including behind-the-scenes deep dives into undiscovered features and exclusive details on the iOS roadmap. 

Jeff also produces a weekly podcast, alongside co-host Fernando Silva, entitled 9to5Mac Overtime. A video-first podcast, 9to5Mac Overtime airs weekly on our YouTube channel, but can also be enjoyed in audio form via Apple Podcasts, or your podcast app of choice.

Have a tip or exclusive? Connect with Jeff!

Connect with Jeff Benjamin

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How-To: Enable Picture-in-Picture for YouTube videos in macOS Sierra

macOS Sierra YouTube Picture-in-Picture Safari

One of the big new features in macOS Sierra is the new iPad-inspired Picture-in-Picture mode for Safari. This allows users to detach a video from its player so that it’s always viewable across desktops and while using other apps.

Although YouTube’s player doesn’t make it readily apparent that its videos work with Picture-in-Picture, it’s quite easy to enable the handy feature for all of your favorite YouTube videos on Safari.
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Hands-on: New features in macOS Sierra [Video]

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macOS Sierra hands-on

Although it hasn’t garnered the same level of excitement as iOS 10’s unveiling, there are quite a few compelling additions to be found in macOS Sierra. Along with a rebranded and more modern naming convention, macOS Sierra adds Siri, a Universal Clipboard for sharing clipboard contents between iOS and macOS, and many more underlying features.
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Hands-on: 75 new features in iOS 10 [Video]

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75 iOS 10 features video walkthrough

On Monday Apple unveiled the highly-anticipated software update for the iPhone and iPad. As expected, it’s a huge release that brings a bevy of new and exciting features to the table.

In the following video walkthrough, we take a look at 75 of the features and changes found in iOS 10. Some of the features covered are obvious changes, and some are more surprising.
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How-To: Close all Safari tabs at once in iOS 10 [Video]

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Close All Tabs iOS 10

It’s now possible to open an unlimited number of tabs in iOS 10’s Safari browser. With that in mind, it would be quite tedious to have to close each tab one-by-one, and fortunately Apple realizes this.

In iOS 10, users now have the option of closing all open Safari tabs in one fell swoop. To do so, simply tap and hold the tab button, and you’ll be prompted to close all open tabs at once.
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iOS 10 supports inline video playback in Safari on iPhone [Video]

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iOS 10 inline video

One of the great things about watching video on an iPad is that content can be played inline in Safari. In other words, users can watch videos within Safari without being forced into a full screen video view.

Such functionality has been available in limited fashion on the iPhone. For example, the News app has been capable of playing videos inline since iOS 9.3.

Of course, such playback ability was touted for the Messages app during Apple’s WWDC 2016 keynote, but with the introduction of the iOS 10 beta, inline playback has also been added to Safari on iPhone.
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Review: Kanex’s GoPower USB-C Portable Battery for MacBook [Video]

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Kanex Plugged in

I wouldn’t normally describe a portable battery as being beautiful, but Kanex’s just-released $99 GoPower USB-C Portable Battery fits that description. Its aluminum body is like a mix of Apple’s space gray and silver colors, but it’ll look good when paired with any 12″ MacBook.

Good looks are nice, but the real world performance of a battery pack is crucial. How does Kanex’s offering stack up? Check out our hands-on impressions.
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Report claims iMessage for Android to be announced at WWDC 2016

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iMessage Android

According to a report from MacDailyNews, Apple will announce that iMessage is coming to Android at Monday’s upcoming WWDC 2016 keynote.

Such an announcement, which MacDailyNews claims to have obtained from “a source familiar with the company’s thinking,” would go a long way towards making it easier for users to shift between the two competing platforms. But what would be Apple’s motivation for doing this?


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Setups: My hardware setup for podcasting and voiceovers [Video]

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Podcast Voiceover Microphone Arm

As someone who regularly does voiceover work and records podcasts, I need a setup that allows me to easily record on a whim. Any modern Mac could work for this setup, but I’m especially fond of the 12″ MacBook with its USB-C port. That single port, which handles data transfer, power, and display output, helps to simplify my configuration because all it requires is one cable to get started.

In this post, I’d like to share with you my setup for voiceovers and podcasting. What you’ll find is a rig that’s extremely easy to use and happens to look decent as well.
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New MacBook Pro concept envisions what an OLED fn-key row might look like

macbook-oled-

According to sources, a KGI analyst report, and leaked parts, Apple’s next MacBook Pro will feature an OLED capacitive touch panel that replaces the fn-key row. Such a change has been hotly debated online, with opponents lamenting the potential lack of tactile response for touch typing, and proponents salivating over the type of software flexibility that such a setup might offer.

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How-To: Drive a 4K display at 60 Hz with the 2016 MacBook

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4K 60Hz MacBook

The 2016 MacBook is capable of driving a 4K display at 60 Hz via a single USB-C cable. Such a feat is achievable via an easy-to-apply IOKit patch.

One of the great things about the new Intel hardware inside of the 2016 MacBook is that it’s capable of supporting 4K resolution at 60 Hz. The jump in refresh is a big deal, as anyone who’s tried to put up with running a 30 Hz refresh rate can attest to.

Operating at 30 Hz results in jerky and choppy cursor movement, and in some cases can induce headaches after prolonged use.

Sadly, the MacBook only supports 30 Hz out of the box for 4K resolution. It’s not immediately clear as to why this is, but on its support page, Apple makes it known that 4K resolution is limited to 30 Hz.

The good news is that it is possible to enable 60 Hz at native 4K resolution and 1080p (HiDPI/Retina) resolution on a 2016 MacBook. In fact, I just did so on the LG 27UD88 4K USB-C monitor that I recently reviewed. Watch the step-by-step process in our video tutorial for the details.
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Review: LG’s USB-C-enabled 4K Monitor lends single cable simplicity to 12″ MacBook owners, but not without some compromises

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LG 27UD88-W MacBook USB-C

If you’re looking for a 4K display that can be paired with your 12″ MacBook via a single USB-C cable, then your options are fairly limited. It seems that LG is one of the few display makers that has such a monitor available for sale.

LG’s 27UD88-W is a 27″ USB-C-enabled display. Its USB-C port allows MacBook owners to connect a single cable to drive the display, charge the machine, and facilitate data transfer.

As I alluded to in my recent 2016 MacBook post, the 27UD88-W isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the only games in town if you desire a 4K monitor with USB-C connectivity in tow.

If you’re a MacBook owner, should you consider purchasing one? Have a look inside for the details.
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Purchasing your own cable modem may save money and allow for faster data speeds

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SURFboard SB6190 Faster Internet Speeds

If you get your home internet connection via your local cable provider, then it may be wise to invest in your own cable modem. Why? Have a look at your bill. If the cable company provided you with a modem, you might notice that it’s charging you a monthly lease fee.

This leasing option seems to be more common in the US, but investing in your own modem could end up saving you money in the long run. Outright owning a modem also means that you can sell it once you’re finished using it.

Saving money isn’t necessarily the only benefit of purchasing or upgrading your own modem. It may be possible to achieve significantly faster download and upload speeds by taking advantage of new hardware advancements.
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Review: IXCC’s USB 3.0 to Type-C Adapter is a cheaper way to connect legacy USB devices to your MacBook

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IXCC USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Adapter MacBook Review

If you own a MacBook and you wish to interface with legacy USB-A connections, you have several options. Apple itself produces a USB-C to USB Adapter, and it’s available for around $19. There’s also no shortage of third-party options available on Amazon and other resellers.

One such option, IXCC’s USB 3.0 to Type-C Convertor Cable, is a cheap and easy way to garner legacy USB device support on USB-C only MacBooks. Have a look at our brief hands-on video to witness the adapter in action.
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iOS hacker shows off iOS 9.3.2 JailbreakMe-inspired jailbreak, but a release is unlikely

JailbreakMe iOS 9.3.2 Demo

Luca Todesco, better known around iOS hacking circles as qwertyoruiop, has released a video showcasing an iOS 9.3.2 jailbreak. The jailbreak, which is performed on a sixth-generation iPod touch, is performed in a style that’s similar to Comex’s famous JailbreakMe release for iOS 4.3.3 and below.

While it’s highly unlikely that this jailbreak release will ever see the light of day, the video is fairly convincing, and Todesco is a well-known hacker who has the credentials that lend to the video’s validity.
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10 tips for new and prospective MacBook owners [Video]

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10 MacBook Tips

As someone coming from a 15″ MacBook Pro with Retina display, adjusting to the smaller form-factor of the 12″ MacBook takes some getting used to. But as brought out in our post highlighting 10 favorite MacBook features, the effort is worth it.

I’ve been using the 2016 MacBook as my primary computer since last week, and I’ve learned a lot about this little machine during my hands-on time. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new MacBook, or if you already own one, consider these tips to get more out of this tiny wonder.
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GhostCodes makes it easy to discover new Snapchat users [Video]

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GhostCodes

Snapchat is insanely popular with the younger demographic, and it flourishes in areas like schools, where there is a community of individuals using the app who see each other face to face.

One of Snapchat’s greatest weaknesses, though, is that it lacks good discovery tools built inside the app. It’s why I believe that its growth, although impressive, has been bridled in some instances. It’s why an app like GhostCodes can provide a valuable bridge to user discovery on the platform.
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Review: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7NC, a notable step up in build quality and audio fidelity

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ATH-MSR7NC Unboxing

If you read our review of the ATH-M50x closed-back headphones, I made it pretty clear that I was a fan of what Audio-Technica was offering. The ATH-M50x’s are well-known for giving Beats By Dre headphones a run for their money, and at a much more affordable price.

I also had the opportunity to go hands-on with one of Audio-Technica’s newest offerings, the ATH-MSR7NC. These noise-cancelling cans differ in many ways from the company’s mainstream offering, and at more than double the price of the M50x’s, venture into more premium territory. Should you consider them?
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10 reasons to seriously consider the 2016 Retina MacBook

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10 Awesome MacBook Features

Yesterday, I bought a 12″ MacBook, and after playing with it for 10 minutes, I immediately knew that I made the right decision. 24 hours later, I’m convinced that this is the best laptop for me, and a much better portable workhorse than something like a 12.9″ iPad Pro. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider going with a MacBook if you’re in the market for something powerful, yet portable.
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Five awesome iPad Pro apps, no Apple Pencil required [Video]

iPad Pro Apps

I don’t use as many apps on my 12.9″ iPad Pro as I do on my iPhone, but the ones that I do use I’ve grown to love. And while I appreciate what the Apple Pencil can do, I’m not an artist, and prefer typing over handwriting. With that said, I tend to use my iPad Pro in the more traditional way.

The great thing about the iPad Pro is that it’s a flexible device that can adapt to a variety of workflows. Here’s a look at five of my favorite apps for Apple’s extra large tablet.
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TermHere: a new Finder extension that points new Terminal windows to the current working directory [Video]

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TermHere

TermHere is a new app available on the Mac App Store that serves as a Finder extension. Once enabled, right-clicking inside of the Finder will present a new shortcut to jump to a Terminal window pointed to the current working directory.

TermHere may feature a straightforward premise, but it’s very nice to have if you’re a developer or avid Terminal user. Watch our brief hands-on video inside to see it in action.
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Hands-on: Sony’s a6300 mirrorless camera makes a great 4K shooting companion

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a6300

The iPhone can shoot 4K video, and now even the iPad can shoot 4K video. Yet, there are times when you need the flexibility and power provided by a standalone camera.

Standalone cameras have inherent advantages over smartphone cameras, despite the major strides made by iPhone photography over the last few years. Even with amazing third-party apps like FiLMiC Pro, which lets you adjust things like ISO and shutter speed, you’re still stuck with a constant aperture and fixed lens.

While smartphones have replaced point and shoot cameras for a vast amount of people, standalone cameras, especially ones with interchangeable lenses like the recently-released 24MP Sony a6300, still have their place.

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