Founder, Publisher and Editorial Director of the 9to5/Electrek/DroneDJ sites.
Seth Weintraub is an award-winning journalist and blogger who won back to back Neal Awards during his three plus years covering Apple and Google at IDG’s Computerworld from 2007–2010. Weintraub next covered all things Google for Fortune Magazine from 2010-2011 amassing a thick rolodex of Google contacts and love for Silicon Valley tech culture.
It turns out that his hobby 9to5Mac blog was always his favorite and in 2011 he went full time adding his Fortune Google followers to 9to5Google and adding the style and commerce component 9to5Toys gear and deals site. In 2013, Weintraub bought one of the Tesla’s first Model S EVs off the assembly line and so began his love affair with the Electric Vehicle and green energy which in 2014 turned into electrek.
In 2018, DroneDJ was born to cover the burgeoning world of drones and UAV’s led by China’s DJI.
From 1997-2007, Weintraub was a Global IT director and Web Developer for a number of companies with stints at multimedia and branding agencies in Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Madrid and London before becoming a publisher/blogger.
Seth received a bachelors degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California with a minor in Multimedia and Creative Technology in 1997. In 2004, he received a Masters from NYU’s Tisch School of the Art’s ITP program.
Hobbies: Weintraub is a licensed single engine private pilot, certified open water scuba diver and spent over a year traveling to 60 cities in 23 countries. Whatever free time exists is now guaranteed to his lovely wife and two amazing sons.
More at About.me. BI 2014 profile.
Tips: seth@9to5mac.com, or llsethj on Wickr/Skype or link at top of page.
The Apple HomePod firmware is turning out to be the gift that keeps on giving. Today, developer Guilherme Rambo dug up the following strings inside seemingly confirming the upcoming HDR 4K Apple TV and some other details.
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The Apple Intern
Chris Lattner isn’t the only high profile Apple executive who departed for Tesla over the past month, rather than sticking around to work on Titan. 9to5mac has learned that Matt Casebolt, a high profile Senior Director of Design for Apple’s Mac lineup left the company last month for a role at Tesla as Sr. Director Engineering, Closures & Mechanisms. A job meant for a man named Casebolt …
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In a new report out this morning from noted analyst Ming-Chi Quo at KGI Securities, we find the size of the new iPad form factor, expected in Q2 still in flux indicating that Apple may still be deciding between different sizes.
The new models will come in 12.9”, 10-10.5” and 9.7” versions. We note the 12.9” model will be the second generation of the existing 12.9” iPad Pro, the 10-10.5” model will be the high-end model equipped with a narrow bezel design, and the 9.7” model will be the low-priced option. The former two models will have an A10X chip manufactured by TSMC (2330 TT, NT$183.5, N), while the latter comes with an A9 chip made by Samsung LSI. Although we estimate iPad shipments in 2017 will drop again YoY to 35-37mn units, we except the decline to narrow to 10% from 2016’s roughly 20%, given that the 10-10.5” model may see more demand from commercial/ enterprises and tender markets, while the low-priced 9.7” model may have a greater shipment contribution and likely account for 50-60% of total shipments of new iPads.
Perhaps most interesting for AAPL stockholders is the psychological impact of iPad sales leveling off and greater ASP…
Sonny Dickson this evening posted posted a log and video of a never before seen in public version of pre-iPhone era software that was built as an alternative OS to what eventually became iOS.
The OS, which was devised in the iPod’s heyday, was based on a virtual click-wheel that was put on the touch display. A set of menus is navigated with the touch much like one would using an iPod of the time. In the era of multi-touch the idea seems quaint but when everyone is using iPods, the UI makes a lot of sense as a small step rather than the giant leap to iPhone OS, what eventually became iOS.
Check out the video below:
Apple has pulled the Withings line of health care products from its online stores following the recent patent dispute with Nokia. Nokia purchased the Withings line of smart devices earlier this year for around $192 million and has since integrated the company into its smart line of products…
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In a Friday evening release to Buzzfeed, Apple and Google spokespeople went on the record saying that the two tech behemoths would be opposed to helping build or contributing to any sort of ‘Muslim Registry’.
An Apple spokesperson said:
“We think people should be treated the same no matter how they worship, what they look like, who they love. We haven’t been asked and we would oppose such an effort.”
A spokesperson for Google said:
“In relation to the hypothetical of whether we would ever help build a ‘muslim registry’ – we haven’t been asked, of course we wouldn’t do this and we are glad – from all that we’ve read – that the proposal doesn’t seem to be on the table.”
The idea of a registry was put forward during President-elect Trump’s controversial campaign but like many the other ideas put forward (Like an Apple ban), it seems to be walked back as his term starts in a month. Amazon and Oracle troublingly declined to comment on a Muslim registry while Uber simply said “No”.
Many other tech company employees have joined the NeverAgain Pledge. You can sign up here.
The Intercept’s Sam Biddle did the original work in this area getting other technology notables to decline the hypothetical:
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In our latest installment of Apple Campus 2 flyovers, we see that Apple is nearing completion for its 2017 opening. The main structures are almost complete from the outside and trees and fountains and other landscaping are going in. Drone video and high definition stills are below…
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KGI‘s Ming-Chi Kuo is out with his latest iPhone sales numbers forecast which shows the iPhone 7 line falling in sales for the second consecutive year. The primary drivers are weak demand in China, slow shipment volume of 4.7” iPhones in 1Q17, and the lack of a new iPhone SE in 2Q17.
Falling sales may force Apple to exert pressure on its suppliers to reduce costs starting this month or next…
Japan’s Nikkei again reports on upcoming features for Apple’s next iPhone just a month after the launch of the iPhone 7. Three days ago, it reported that there would be 3 versions of the all glass-backed iPhone 8 line including a 5-inch screen model. Today the news organization is reporting that at least the biggest model will use a OLED and Sharp could be making some of those future OLED displays in the US.
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With the release of Google Assistant, supplanting Google Now on the new Pixel with Android 7.1, Google’s speech recognition/AI engine is supposed to be more personable and less robotic. At the same time, Apple has been improving the accuracy and intelligence of Siri, which has until now been a distant second in the assistant space when it comes to accuracy. With the below video comparing iPhone 7 Plus and the the Pixel XL, YouTuber MKBHD shows that both have come a long way…
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As the US Presidential campaign for Hillary Clinton continues to reel from daily deluge of emails released from Campaign Chairman John Podesta via Wikileaks, we’re finding a number of topics related to Apple and specifically its CEO Tim Cook.
Today’s installment is probably worth noting. It has Cook listed as a possible VP candidate pick by Podesta along with many other political, business and tech luminaries seen below.
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his trip to Japan this week as chronicled by the leader’s Facebook page (via Macotakara). In the meeting, the Japanese PM noted that without Japanese innovation, the iPhone couldn’t have been developed. Speaking of development…
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Over 100 million hours of videos are consumed daily on Facebook and now you can easily stream that video to the big screen via the hardware you probably already have. Facebook announced today that streaming from the web browser or iOS app via AirPlay to your Apple TV or Chromecast is now available. To watch a video from Facebook on your TV:
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Today Bank of America today published a research note indicating that iPhone 7 hadn’t moved electronics retail spending as much as iPhone releases had in years past.
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After a lot of abuse, my MacBook Pro’s 85W MagSafe 2 adapter finally died last week. Often Apple adapters fray at joints and this one did to an insane degree but somehow it kept working for 3 years through tons of travel, work and even some fun.
My MagSafe needs to last another month. What’s the over/under? https://t.co/dZeV3ZHz1Z pic.twitter.com/EnKkmdX0d6
— Seth Weintraub (@llsethj) September 29, 2016
So what to do? Typically I’d buy a new Apple Magsafe 2 adapter. But clearly Apple has some redesigned MacBook/Pro/Airs coming later this month and they will likely be charged via USB-C, at least in some cases. So that means I only need MagSafe to power this 2013 MacBook Pro for at least a few more weeks before it gets relegated to backup machine, kid’s computer or sold off when I get Apple’s new OLED/USB-C creation.
So I thought I’d get a little creative and save a few bucks at the same time. As I was looking for options on Amazon, I came across an interesting product: The “BND 85W MagSafe 2 Replacement Power Adapter Charger w/ 5 USB Ports for Apple MacBook Pro”. For less than half the price of a discounted $77 Apple MagSafe Adapter this $37 charger includes 5 USB ports and gets solid 4.3/5 star reviews. What the heck, I’ll give it a try…
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Update: We’ve been directed to remove the video. Apologies.
The Apple community and the world lost Steve Jobs five years ago today. Enjoy some of the lighter yet interesting, behind the scenes sides of Apple’s co-founder and “Spirit and DNA” of the company in these never before seen in public clips that were passed to us a few years ago.
"Most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Remembering Steve and the many ways he changed our world. pic.twitter.com/ONAuEoq3uU
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 5, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cycRnX3jc34&feature=youtu.be
Via 9to5mac Youtube channel, subscribe for more.
PHOTOS: KARL LAGERFELD FOR WSJ. MAGAZINE
Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel announced a new set of ‘spectacles’ for the company’s hundreds of millions of young users, in a piece in the WSJ magazine this evening. Coming in at $129, these stereoscopic glasses will, at least initially, take 10 seconds of rounded video (Spiegel argues that the rectangle shape is inherited from the paper photo printing process) and store it wirelessly on your iPhone or Android device for easy sharing.
Now, I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around Snapchat (as it were), so these Spectacles certainly are head scratchers…
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I’ve been using Apple’s extended wired keyboard for something like a decade – since it came out in 2007 – mostly because it feels the same as my MacBook Pro’s keys and it’s more reliable than Bluetooth – it just works for me.
Logitech makes some pretty good keyboards in their own right. I love their solar offerings for instance. But because the ol’ Apple extended is there and it feels like my MacBook’s keyboard, I usually end up going back to what I’m used to after trialling other keyboards.
That might not happen this time around. I’ve been playing with Logitech’s new K780 Multi Device Bluetooth Keyboard which retails for $80 at Logitech and soon at Best Buy, Amazon and other fine retailers…
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Current State of Apple Car
Apple’s car plans appear to have hit yet another snag. Tonight the NYTimes is reporting that Apple is again rebooting the now infamous car project.
In a retrenchment of one of its most ambitious initiatives, Apple has shuttered parts of its self-driving car project and laid off dozens of employees, according to three people briefed on the move who were not allowed to speak about it publicly.
2016 has been an abysmal year for Apple’s car project if you believe the various reports from top news agencies. A timeline of Apple Car developments this year:
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Just a quick PSA for those who like their carrier data cheap and pre-paid: Sprint subsidiaries Boost and Virgin Mobile will be offering the iPhone 7 and accessories starting on September 23rd.
Sprint has been improving its network nationwide aggressively over the past few years and for many it is good enough to use instead of the $100/month “unlimited” plans that AT&T and Verizon offer. Boost unlimited everything plans start at $50/month and drop with on-time payments. Virgin gives you 4GB for $40 with unlimited calling and texting.
Before the avalanche of iPhone 7, Apple Watch and new MacBook Pro news starts hitting the site next week, I thought it would be fun to share a program we’ve been working on here to reward our most dedicated readers.
We’re often given promotional software, gadgets and gear either as part of a review, sponsorship or just to try out and focus group. Lately, we’ve been asking the vendors if we could share these items as part of a giveaway to our readers. The response has been overwhelmingly great so today we’re formalizing the “9to5Rewards” program. Every few days we’ll give away some exciting new gear to one of our most dedicated readers – at least until the end of the year. Right now we’ve got some very high end stuff optimized for iPhone 7 (read: not headphone jack dependent), some excellent SolarTab batteries, Logitech/UE, Spigen, Pad&Quill, Speck gear and much more waiting in the wings.
How do you win?
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Two weeks ago, 9to5Toys introduced you to a unique Apple accessory that will likely help a ton of you with one of the biggest issues we iPhone users experience: the dead battery. We’ve seen tons of small MFi keychain chargers and tiny USB battery packs but this is the first time, to my knowledge, that a battery is actually included into a Apple Certified MFi cable.
This week, I took the $16 (after code JCRJEWEL) Jackery Jewel for a spin.
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Update: Best Buy looks to be sold out in most areas.
Apple Watch prices have been in a relative freefall in recent months with the oft-rumored upgrade expected in the coming weeks. However, we aren’t expecting a sea change upgrade this time around. Three weeks ago, a KGI report noted that the new Apple Watch 2 upgrade would include GPS, better waterproofing and improved performance but retain the same design. Another report last week reaffirmed those claims.
A launch alongside the iPhone 7 next month seems obvious. Apple, therefore, is likely in a hurry to clear current inventory (indeed shortages are already being seen) ahead of the launch and that takes the form of a $199 price tag on the base model Apple Watch Sport 38mm Space Gray Aluminum Case…
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