Andy Ihnatko
Born 1967 · Age 58
American technology author, longtime Mac/tech journalist, podcaster and commentator. Longtime columnist for Mac publications and the Chicago Sun-Times; frequent contributor to WGBH/Boston Public Radio and the TWiT network; host/co-host of multiple podcasts (The Ihnatko Almanac, Material) and regular panelist on MacBreak Weekly.
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Life & Career Timeline
Published early Mac-to-aquarium guide (one of first eBooks)
Published/posted an illustrated guide (often-cited as one of the web's early 'eBooks') showing how to convert an early Macintosh shell into an aquarium — later referenced as the origin of the "Macquarium" idea.
Writing for Macworld / Macworld Expo coverage
Filed reports for Macworld.com from Macworld Expo and was an active Macworld columnist/documentarian (source: Macworld article noting multiple Expo reports).
Spoke at Macworld Expo Kickoff; filed Expo reports
Spoke at the Macworld Expo 'Kickoff' seminar and filed a series of Macworld Expo reports from Moscone Convention Center (Macworld.com coverage).
Started as Chicago Sun-Times technology columnist
Became the technology columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times (multiple sources cite 'since 1999').
Regular columnist at Mac publications (Macworld, MacCentral, MacNotables involvement)
Long-running columnist and contributor for Mac-focused publications and programs (Macworld, MacCentral, MacNotables) — active across the 2000s and beyond.
Held working sample of original iPhone after announcement
Reported that shortly after Apple's January 2007 announcement he was one of a handful of people backstage holding a working (demo) sample of the original iPhone — led to media appearances and visibility.
Appeared on CBS Saturday Early Show (iPhone apps)
Appeared on the CBS Saturday Early Show (July 13, 2007) to discuss cell-phone applications and comparisons relating to the Apple iPhone.
Denied being 'Fake Steve Jobs' author
After speculation in July 2007 that he might be the author of the satirical 'The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs' weblog, he formally denied authorship in a Macworld article (July 24, 2007).
CBS follow-up segment (recovered phones under water)
Appeared again on CBS (August 25, 2007) to report conclusions after testing urban legends about recovering mobile phones submerged under water.
Macquarium instructions archived online
The Macquarium pages (instructions for making an aquarium from an early Macintosh shell) were archived online (Wayback reference exists as of 2008).
Published 'iPhone Fully Loaded' (available via Wiley)
Listed as author of the book 'iPhone Fully Loaded' (Wiley) in contemporaneous bios and festival notes (book availability noted in 2009 Ebertfest program).
Guest / panelist at Ebertfest
Served as a guest/panelist and was profiled in the Ebertfest (2009) program — bio notes and festival participation.
10th anniversary as Sun-Times technology columnist
Marked roughly a decade (1999–2009) as technology columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times (biographical notes reference 'nearly ten years' around this time).
Joined 5by5 network; launched 'The Ihnatko Almanac'
On September 26, 2011 Ihnatko joined the 5by5 podcast network as co-host of the weekly show 'The Ihnatko Almanac' with Dan Benjamin.
Launched 'Material' podcast on Relay FM
In July 2015 Andy Ihnatko, Russell Ivanovic and Yasmine Evjen started the Material podcast on the Relay FM network (focused on Google/related topics; named for Google's 'Material' design language).
The Ihnatko Almanac ended
The weekly 5by5 show 'The Ihnatko Almanac' ended its run on October 19, 2016.
Authored 10+ books (milestone)
Biographical notes around this period indicate he had authored more than ten books/guides (macOS/OSX and app guides among them).
Named among influential Chicago media people (Dare Mighty Things)
Featured in a '37 Influential Media People Shaping The Future Of Chicago' list for the Dare Mighty Things conference (September 18, 2017 article listing Ihnatko's Sun-Times role and Macworld history).
Interview on Grey Matter podcast (recorded Sept 1, 2023)
Recorded an in-depth conversation about technology's societal impact, AI, privacy, and regulation (Grey Matter; conversation recorded Sept 1, 2023).
Panelist on MacBreak Weekly (episode recorded Nov 28, 2023)
Appeared as a panelist on MacBreak Weekly (TWiT) episode recorded November 28, 2023 discussing Apple and related news.
Ongoing podcasting & media presence
Continues to co-host Material (Relay FM), guest frequently on TWiT (MacBreak Weekly, This Week in Tech), contribute to WGBH/Boston Public Radio, and produce independent writing and consulting work.
Contributor / guest on Boston Public Radio / WGBH
Regular technology contributor to Boston-area public radio (WGBH/Boston Public Radio) with appearances on BPR and related segments in 2023–2024 (example segment listings around early 2024).
Panelist on MacBreak Weekly (episode recorded May 7, 2024)
Appeared as a panelist on MacBreak Weekly (TWiT) following Apple's spring announcements (episode recorded May 7, 2024).
Featured interview on Techsploder podcast
Long-format interview (Techsploder) covering his journey from early computing to tech journalism and content creation (Techsploder episode dated September 26, 2024).
Estimated net worth (conservative, public figure without major exits)
Estimated aggregated net worth reflecting long career in journalism, book royalties, podcast revenue, speaking, and consulting. This is an estimate and not from an explicit public filing.
Key Achievement Ages
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