Tim Hardwick

Tim is a Contributing Editor at MacRumors. His writing has appeared in over 30 newsstand print and online publications covering a range of topics. Originally from Liverpool, England, Tim can sometimes be found accessing a personal wi-fi hotspot on the Yorkshire Moors.



How to Take a Slow-mo Selfie or 'Slofie' on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max

Friday October 18, 2019 6:03 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all feature an updated 12-megapixel front-facing camera, along with a couple of notable additional shooting options that selfie fans should love. The first addition is that you can now turn your iPhone to landscape mode to capture a wider shot, which is great for group selfies. The second is a new option that lets you take slow motion videos at 120 frames per second. To market the latter feature exclusive to its 2019 iPhones, Apple invented a new word for it, combining slo-mo (the name long used for the 120fps function on the rear-facing camera) and selfie to form the word "Slofie." Don't worry, though – "Slofie" isn't used to describe the feature in the ‌iPhone 11‌'s redesigned Camera app, where it's still referred to using the more sober term "Slo-mo." Follow the steps below to create your first Slofie. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone. Tap the perspective flip button below the viewfinder to activate the front-facing camera. Swipe rightwards along the shooting mode options directly below the viewfinder until Slo-mo is highlighted in yellow. Take your slo-mo recording by tapping the red shutter button, then tap again to end it.To view your Slofie, simply select it in the Photos app and it will play automatically. If you want, you can share it straight away using the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing out) and selecting one of several options from the Share
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How to Use Camera Filters on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max

Friday October 18, 2019 6:02 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
With the launch of its 2019 iPhones, Apple introduced some impressive new camera capabilities that are exclusive to the flagship smartphone lineup, such as Night mode, QuickTake Video, and a new ultra-wide lens. As a result, Apple has updated the design of the Camera app on the iPhone 11 series, which means that some of the existing photo and video functions have been moved around to accommodate the new features. Photo filters are a case in point. On iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and earlier iPhone models, the filter options are accessed by tapping the Filters button at the top of the viewfinder. Here's how to access them on ‌iPhone 11‌, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone. Tap the chevron at the top of the viewfinder to reveal the additional settings strip above the shutter button. Alternatively, swipe up on the viewfinder using your finger. Tap the Filters button (it looks like three overlapping circles) at the far right of the settings strip. Swipe along the nine available filters to choose one. You'll get an instant preview of the selected filter effect in the viewfinder. Tap the shutter button to take your picture with the selected filter applied.Note that in the final image you can see the filter icon in the top-right corner of the screen. This appears just to remind you that the selected filter is still active and ready to be applied to the next photo. You can turn off filters by selecting the first Original option in the filter menu. In addition to filters, the camera settings strip includes options to access Night
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How to Use Instant Hotspot on iPhone and iPad

Friday October 18, 2019 5:59 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
This article explains what Instant Hotspot is and how you can make the most of it using your Apple devices. If you like, click the links below to jump to the sections that most interest you. What is Instant Hotspot? How Does Instant Hotspot Differ From Personal Hotspot? What You Need to Use Instant Hotspot How to Connect Your Mac to an Instant Hotspot How to Connect Other iOS Devices to Your Instant Hotspot How to Let Others Use Your Instant Hotspot How to Enable Hotspot Family Sharing How to Disable Instant Hotspot on iPhone and iPadWhat is Instant Hotspot? In iOS and iPadOS, Instant Hotspot refers to Apple's long-standing Personal Hotspot feature that lets you share the data connection on your iPhone or cellular iPad with other Apple devices. Apple calls it Instant Hotspot to highlight the fact that your hotspot is always on and ready to provide internet access to any other devices nearby that are signed into your iCloud account, without them requiring a password to connect. How is it Different From Personal Hotspot? Instant Hotspot uses Apple's Continuity framework to connect other devices to your hotspot, so that it stays connected in the absence of a viable Wi-Fi connection, even if the iPhone or ‌iPad‌ hosting the hotspot goes to sleep. That means any incoming messages and push notifications will still arrive on the connected device(s). In previous versions of iOS, you could only connect to an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ personal hotspot manually, and you had to know your hotspot password, but that's no longer the case. What You Need to Use Instant HotspotIn
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Google Pixel 4's Face Unlock Feature Works With Eyes Closed, Sparking Security Concerns

Friday October 18, 2019 3:52 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Google has ignited security concerns over the facial authentication system in its new Pixel 4 smartphone by admitting that it will unlock the device even when the user's eyes are shut. Google unveiled the Pixel 4 this week to mostly positive reviews, many of which praised the phone for its super-fast new face unlock system, which replaces the fingerprint sensor and works much the same as Apple's Face ID on iPhones, except for one key security feature. The BBC has discovered that the Pixel 4 can be unlocked even with the user's face even if they're sleeping (or pretending to be asleep). That contrasts with Apple's Face ID system, which engages by default an "Attention Aware" feature that requires the user's eyes to be open for the iPhone to be unlocked. Attention Aware can be disabled for convenience, but the Pixel 4 lacks an equivalent security feature entirely. Proof, for those asking #madebygoogle #pixel4 pic.twitter.com/mBDJphVpfB— Chris Fox (@thisisFoxx) October 15, 2019 To its credit though, Google isn't hiding this fact. A Google support page reads: "Your phone can also be unlocked by someone else if it's held up to your face, even if your eyes are closed. Keep your phone in a safe place, like your front pocket or handbag." To "prepare for unsafe situations," Google recommends holding the power button for a couple of seconds and tapping Lockdown, which turns off notifications and face recognition unlocking. In early leaks of the Pixel 4, screenshots revealed a "require eyes to be open" setting for face unlock, so it looks as if Google tried to
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Report: 'AirPods Pro' to Launch End of October with New Design, New Noise-Canceling Feature and $260 Price Tag

Friday October 18, 2019 2:20 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's rumored next-generation noise-canceling AirPods will launch at the end of this month with a new "Pro" moniker and a price tag of around $260, claims a new Chinese-language report this morning. According to China Economic Daily, Apple's third-generation ‌AirPods‌ will adopt a new in-ear design to support the new noise-canceling feature and enhance the listening experience. The paper claims the "Pro" suffix, which Apple recently adopted for its most expensive iPhone 11 models, will help to differentiate the new wireless earbuds from Apple's existing ‌AirPods‌ and underscores the marketing rationale justifying the higher $260 price tag. According to a separate report on Friday from the same Chinese-language financial media outlet, the ‌AirPods‌ Pro will also feature a new metal design that increases heat dissipation. Apple ‌AirPods‌ supplier Inventec is said to be cooperating with Chinese manufacturer Lixun to undertake the new orders. In April, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said two new ‌AirPods‌ models would likely go into mass production between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, with Luxshare, Goertek, and Amkor serving as primary suppliers. Kuo also claimed one of the new ‌AirPods‌ models will feature an "all-new form factor design" and a "higher price" than the second-generation ‌AirPods‌, which cost $159 with a standard charging case and $199 with a wireless charging case. The other model is expected to be a more iterative update with the same pricing, although it's unclear what any new features would be. Previously, the ‌AirPods‌
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Arlo Launches Smart HDR Video Doorbell

Thursday October 17, 2019 5:00 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Smart camera brand Arlo has launched a new internet connected Video Doorbell that's "designed to capture what traditional video doorbells can't." Arlo says the Video Doorbell manages this thanks to an "industry-leading" vertical field-of-view that allows users to get a bigger, more precise picture of their front porch. Along with the optimized 1:1 aspect ratio front entry view, the HDR video doorbell features motion detection alerts, smartphone video call and quick-reply pre-recorded messages for interacting with visitors, night vision, live zoom, and a silent mode that disables push notifications and mutes the chime. In addition, the doorbell has a weather-resistant design that enables it to withstand heat, cold, rain, and sun, while built-in tamper detection triggers a siren if someone attempts to remove the doorbell. The Video Doorbell works with Arlo Smart Plans, the company's subscription services that start with the Arlo Smart plan offering 30-day video history, advanced AI detection, custom activity zones, and lock screen notifications, priced at $2.99 per month per camera. For $9.99 per month, the Arlo Smart Premier plan adds e911 emergency call service and covers up to ten cameras for one price, while the Arlo Smart Elite plan at $14.99 per month covers up to 20 cameras and extends video history to 60 days. We asked Arlo whether the company plans to support HomeKit on the Video Doorbell, and Arlo said only that while it's aiming to make as many of its cameras as possible compatible with ‌HomeKit‌, there's nothing to announce with regard to the
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Samsung Admits Major Security Flaw in Galaxy S10 Under-Screen Fingerprint Sensor

Thursday October 17, 2019 4:42 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
A major flaw in Samsung's Galaxy S10 smartphone has been discovered that basically means any fingerprint can unlock the device with the help of a cheap screen protector. According to the BBC, a British woman discovered the authentication flaw after she applied a cheap gel screen protector bought off eBay to her Galaxy S10. She soon discovered that she was able to authenticate as the owner by pressing her left thumbprint against the phone's onscreen fingerprint sensor – the problem being that she hadn't registered her thumb with the device's biometric authenticaton system. Her suspicions were confirmed when her husband was also able to unlock the phone by pressing either one of his thumbs on the screen's built-in sensor. The screen protector was then applied to another relative's Galaxy S10 and the same thing occurred. Responding to the incident, Samsung said it was "aware of the case of S10's malfunctioning fingerprint recognition and will soon issue a software patch." Previous reports have suggested that certain screen protectors are "incompatible" with Samsung's fingerprint sensor because they leave a small air gap that can interfere with the scanning. The sensor relies on ultrasound to detect the microscopic ridges that make every fingerprint unique. The Galaxy S10 is the latest in Samsung's flagship S series, which is usually regarded as the iPhone's annual rival. The Korean company launched the phone in March and referred to its under-screen fingerprint authentication system as "revolutionary." (Thanks, Chris!)
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'League of Legends: Wild Rift' Coming to iOS Next Year

Wednesday October 16, 2019 3:15 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Riot Games has revealed that League of Legends: Wild Rift will launch on iOS in 2020. Riot says this is a new version of the original wildly popular MOBA title, which launched on PC 10 years ago, and it's built from scratch to take advantage of the mobile platform. Rumors that League of Legends would be making its way to smartphones first appeared in May, but the official confirmation arrived on Tuesday during a series of Riot announcements posted to YouTube to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary. Wild Rift will feature the same five-on-five gameplay that made its PC counterpart a success, but individual matches are shorter at around 15 to 20 minutes long. There's also a twin-stick control scheme that Riot says will allow for quicker responses and faster battles. Otherwise, players can expect the familiar LoL elements, like 5v5 maps and lots of playable characters from the existing roster of champions. League of Legends is still one of the most popular PC games in the world, but sources suggest that revenue dipped last year, down 21 percent from 2017. Given the drop off, a brief survey of the MOBA mobile landscape is enough to realize that the game's arrival on iPhone and Android was the logical next step. Titles like Fortnite and PUBG have shown that if a game's mechanics can be translated successfully to touchscreen devices, then expanding to mobile can prove hugely successful. Riot plans to launch the mobile version "everywhere in the world by the end of 2020," followed by the game's debut on console. Alpha and beta versions of the game will be
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Apple Reportedly Renews 'For All Mankind' and Other Apple TV+ Shows for Second Seasons

Wednesday October 16, 2019 1:57 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Deadline reports that Apple has already greenlighted a second season of Apple TV+ space drama "For All Mankind," along with additional seasons for several other shows set to debut on its upcoming streaming video service. The cast of "For All Mankind" celebrated the show's premiere on Tuesday Renewing the shows early is said to be part of a strategy by Apple to queue up original content and ensure there's a steady pipeline of programming by avoiding lengthy hiatuses between seasons. Apart from "The Morning Show", which was picked up on a two-season deal, Apple previously hasn't officially confirmed second seasons for any of the shows it's promoting ahead of the launch of ‌Apple TV‌+ on November 1. Shows also reportedly renewed or in the process of being renewed for a second season include futuristic thriller "See," starring Jason Momoa, period comedy "Dickinson," which stars Hailee Steinfeld as poet Emily Dickinson, immigrant anthology comedy "Little America," and young detective drama "Home Before Dark." Apple premiered "For All Mankind" on Tuesday at the Regency Village Theater in Westwood, California, where show stars Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Sarah Jones, Shantel VanSanten, Wrenn Schmidt and Jodi Balfour were in attendance. The show imagines a world in which the global space race never ended and the space program remained the cultural centerpiece of America's hopes and dreams. The first three episodes of "For All Mankind" will be available to watch on ‌Apple TV‌+ on the day it launches, while new episodes will continue to roll out weekly, every
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Microsoft Office Apps for iOS Gain Dark Mode Support

Tuesday October 15, 2019 4:20 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Update: As spotted by WCCFTech, Microsoft has now updated all of its Office apps – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook – to support Dark Mode. Microsoft OneNote received an update on iOS today that brings much-awaited ‌Dark Mode‌ support to the popular note-taking app. OneNote is usually a particularly bright app because of the large white scrollable canvases and pale menus, so this update should be a welcome one for users who work with it long into the night. How to Enable ‌Dark Mode‌ in iOS 13 Apart from supporting the new system-wide ‌Dark Mode‌ in ‌iOS 13‌ and iPadOS, version 16.30 of OneNote makes no other changes to the app, as per the release notes: Go easy on your eyes with ‌Dark Mode‌: Switch to ‌Dark Mode‌ in low light environments or whenever you want to increase the legibility of the OneNote user interface and the readability of your notes. Thanks for using OneNote! We listened to your feedback and updated the application with optimizations to help improve your note taking experience.Microsoft has been adding ‌Dark Mode‌ support to a range of its apps. A Sticky Notes beta gained a dark mode earlier this month, while the rest of the Office iOS apps including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel already sport the twilight look in insider builds and are expected to go live with it any day
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Apple Pay Expands to Additional Banks in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands

Tuesday October 15, 2019 3:18 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple Pay has expanded to more banks in Europe today, including ING in Germany, bunq in Austria, and ABN AMRO in the Netherlands. ING supporting ‌Apple Pay‌ in Germany is notable after a lengthy waiting period following the original announcement. ‌Apple Pay‌ made its debut in Germany in December, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users in the country to take advantage of the contactless mobile payments service if their card issuer supports it. Meanwhile, the Federation of German Cooperative banks (BVR) are said to be preparing for ‌Apple Pay‌ support, as are the Sparkassen and Giroverbandes (DSGV) association of savings banks. Both the BVR and the savings banks could start offering support later this year. Also today, European challenger bank bunq brought ‌Apple Pay‌ to its customers in Austria. "Austrian users can now enable both Maestro and Mastercard cards for ‌Apple Pay‌, so they get the best of both worlds. This gives them the freedom to pay with their iPhone or ‌Apple Watch‌, whenever they want, wherever they go," said bunq founder and CEO Ali Niknam. Starting today all of our users in Austria can set up ‌Apple Pay‌ in 5 minutes. 🌈Click here to learn more about how to get #ApplePay in Austria💳📲: https://t.co/FxMJqxF6cn pic.twitter.com/hBET7nuNl5— bunq (@bunq) October 15, 2019 Last but not least, ABN AMRO, one of the largest banks in the Netherlands, announced ‌Apple Pay‌ support in early September and now the bank's customers can finally start using Apple's payment service. Rabobank is expected to offer support in the country soon. ‌Apple Pay‌ has been gradually
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AMC Entertainment to Launch Video on Demand Digital Movie Service Today

Tuesday October 15, 2019 2:10 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
AMC has announced the launch of a new on-demand video streaming service that's designed to compete with Apple's iTunes Store and Amazon's Prime Video, allowing film fans to rent and buy movies once their theater run ends. Called AMC Theaters on Demand, the online store launches today with around 2,000 films in its catalog, with new releases being added after their standard theatrical run. Movie studios including Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Paramount have agreed deals with the theater chain to sell and rent movies both old and new over the video-on-demand service. Each film can be rented for between $3 and $5.99, and purchased for between $9.99 and $19.99. The program resembles one that Cineplex in Canada has offered for some time, but AMC is the first major American chain to offer a similar service. According to The New York Times, the new service aims to capitalize on AMC Stubs, the chain's fast-growing customer loyalty program that launched last year and already covers more than 20 million households. Taking up the market left behind by the now-defunct MoviePass, AMC Stubs A-List members can see up to three movies a week for one monthly price. AMC Stubs members bought about six million tickets to "The Lion King" over the summer. When "The Lion King" becomes available digitally on Tuesday, "those people will all get a personalized message from AMC saying that they can now enjoy it at home through AMC Theaters On Demand," said Elizabeth Frank, AMC's chief content officer.AMC is said to have been working on the
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Relocated Items in macOS Catalina Explained

Monday October 14, 2019 1:06 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
After upgrading to macOS Catalina, you may be surprised to discover a shortcut on your Mac's desktop to a Relocated Items folder that wasn't there previously. The generation of this folder is actually normal behavior when upgrading an older version of macOS to Catalina, but we're highlighting it in this article because a lot of users are confused about why the folder exists and what to do with its contents. What Are Relocated Items? Relocated items are older files and data from previous macOS installations that Apple is not sure what to do with after upgrading to Catalina. Catalina is the first version of macOS to adopt wholesale the relatively new Apple File System (APFS), which is optimized for the flash storage used in recent Macs. Aside from introducing a bunch of other new technical features, an APFS-formatted disk uses a space-sharing "container" that can house multiple secure "volumes" or file systems. This allows the disk's free space to be shared on demand and allocated to any of the individual volumes in the container as required. When you upgrade to macOS 10.15, Catalina is installed on a dedicated read-only system volume called "Macintosh HD," while your files and data are stored separately in another volume named "Macintosh HD - Data." The idea behind this setup is that it helps prevent the accidental overwriting of critical operating system files, since the user can no longer alter data or store files on the read-only system volume. In practice, the average user shouldn't notice any difference after the split, since both volumes appear in
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Apple's Maps Revamp Creeps into Midwest U.S.

Monday October 14, 2019 3:48 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's Maps app rebuild continues its journey across North America this week, with the company following its pattern of rolling out the enhanced maps in adjacent continental U.S. states. Before (left) and after – Midwest maps comparison via Reddit user 999999797 Apple has been deploying the enhanced maps up the northeast United States over the last few months, with the rollout recently extending to New York state. Now it has expanded west to cover West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and North Illinois. You can spot the updated regions by looking for more landscape details like sports fields, parking lots, ground cover, foliage, pools, pedestrian pathways and the like. The data is gathered by Apple's own fleet of sensor- and camera-equipped vehicles, as well as first-party data gathered from iPhones using Apple's differential privacy. The combined data is also being made to ensure search results are more relevant. The improvements initially rolled out in Northern California in July 2018, followed by Hawaii and Southern California in November 2018, and Arizona, New Mexico, and the Las Vegas metropolitan area in April 2019. At WWDC 2019, Apple said the updated maps will roll out to the entire United States by the end of the year, followed by additional countries in 2020. (Thanks, Brian!)
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Apple Sending User Data to Chinese Company for Fraudulent Website Warnings in Safari

Monday October 14, 2019 2:52 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's Fraudulent Website Warning feature in Safari for iOS and Mac has come under scrutiny for using Chinese internet giant Tencent as one of its Safe Browsing providers. The Safari feature has long sent data to Google Safe Browsing to cross-reference URLs against a blacklist and protect users against phishing scams and sites that attempt to push malware. However, it's unclear when Apple started sending user data to Tencent as well. Apple notes in iOS that it sends some user IP addresses to Tencent, but most users are probably unaware of the fact. The mention can be found in the "About Safari & Privacy" screen, which is linked via small text under the Privacy & Security section in Settings -> Safari. The Fraudulent Website Warning feature also found here is enabled by default, so users aren't likely to know that their IP address may be logged unless they opt to view the information screen. Apple's reference to Tencent has been found on devices running iOS 13, but some tweets suggest versions as early as iOS 12.2 also included the Chinese company as a safe browsing provider. At this point, it's difficult to know for sure whether Apple users residing outside of China are having their data sent to Tencent, but the company appears to be mentioned on iPhones and iPads registered in the U.S. and the U.K., and possibly in other countries, too. The privacy implications of shifting Safe Browsing to Tencent's servers are unknown, because Apple hasn't said much about it. However, according to Johns Hopkins University professor Matthew Green, a malicious provider
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Apple Show 'See' Featured in Emmy Magazine With Free Three Month Apple TV+ Trial Offer

Monday October 14, 2019 1:06 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Emmy Magazine is offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at Apple's new drama "See," as well as a free three-month trial of the upcoming Apple TV+ streaming service, which launches on November 1. Apple's sci-fi thriller, which will debut on the service's launch day, stars Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, and is reported to have a budget of $15 million per episode. Both stars adorn the cover of the latest issue of the magazine, which is the official publication of the Television Academy. Inside, the feature takes a deep dive into Apple's epic post apocalyptic drama, in which the world has been wiped out by a virus and the remaining survivors have all been rendered blind. The magazine describes the series as a high-quality "Game of Thrones" style show in terms of cinematic world-building. The coverage also includes interviews with Apple VPs Jamie Erlicht and Zack van Amburg, who explain that dozens of visually impaired and blind actors were cast for the show, and consultants on blindness, biology and survival were hired to make the drama as realistic as possible. Jason Momoa plays the lead role of Baba Voss, a fearless warrior, leader, and guardian. Momoa is well-known for his role as Khal Drogo in "Game of Thrones," as well as roles in "Aquaman," "Stargate Atlantis," and "Conan the Barbarian." Alfre Woodard plays Paris, an advisor and a priestess. Woodard has starred in movies that include "12 Years a Slave," "Annabelle," and "Captain America: Civil War," and she has had roles in several TV shows, such as "Luke Cage," "Desperate Housewives," and "State of
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Apple Reportedly Told Apple TV+ Show Creators to Avoid Angering China

Sunday October 13, 2019 5:03 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
In the same week that Apple's decision to pull a Hong Kong protest app from the App Store drew heavy criticism, a new report from BuzzFeed News claims the company has asked Apple TV+ show runners to avoid negative depictions of China. As early as 2018, when Apple's original programming production got underway, company executives reportedly gave guidance to some show creators to "avoid portraying China in a bad light." According to the news outlet's sources, the instruction was given by Apple software and services VP Eddy Cue, as well Morgan Wandell, Apple's head of international content development. The attempt to steer content creators away from perceived criticism of China is said to be part of Apple's efforts to stay in its good books and avoid a repeat of April 2016, when the Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television shut down the iTunes Movies and iBooks stores, just six months after they had launched in the country. The store closures were linked to the release of a controversial movie banned in China that imagines Hong Kong in 2025 with language police, mini Red Guards, radical protest and social alienation rife. One show maker not connected to Apple told BuzzFeed News that the company's appeasement of Beijing is nothing new in the U.S. movie industry, which China has heavily invested in. Apple's tip toeing around the Chinese government isn't unusual in Hollywood. It's an accepted practice."They all do it," one showrunner who was not affiliated with Apple told BuzzFeed News. "They have to if they want to play
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PSA: Apple Mail Bugs Can Lead to Data Loss in macOS Catalina

Saturday October 12, 2019 2:13 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Michael Tsai, the developer of EagleFiler and the SpamSieve plug-in for Apple Mail on Mac, has written a blog post warning macOS users about potential data loss in Mail when upgrading to macOS Catalina 10.15.0 (build 19A583). According to Tsai, he's heard from several users that updating Mail's data store from Mojave to Catalina sometimes says that it has succeeded, when in fact on closer inspection it turns out that large numbers of messages are incomplete or missing entirely. In addition, users have reported the loss of message content when moving emails between mailboxes. From Tsai's post: Moving messages between mailboxes, both via drag-and-drop and AppleScript, can result in a blank message (only headers) on the Mac. If the message was moved to a server mailbox, other devices see the message as deleted. And eventually this syncs back to the first Mac, where the message disappears as well.Tsai warns that these issues are particularly pernicious because users may not realize anything's wrong unless they look at affected messages or mailboxes. Since the data is synced to the server, these problems can also propagate to other computers and devices, and relying on backups is difficult because Mail data is continually changing and there's no easy way to merge restored data with messages received since the last backup. Despite the latter risk, it's still good practice to make backups, but Tsai notes that Apple Support appears to be erroneously advising users that lost Mail data in Catalina can't be recovered from a Time Machine backup made using macOS Mojave.
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Apple Sets 'Aggressive' 2022 Deadline to Bring Custom 5G Modems to iPhones

Friday October 11, 2019 4:02 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple has reportedly set an aggressive 2022 deadline to develop in-house 5G modems as part of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) design to be used in future iPhones and iPads, claims a new report today. According to Fast Company, Apple plans to have completed all the development, testing, and certification necessary by the new deadline to be able to include the modems in new iPhones the same year. However, given the arduous testing and certification process required after the chip design and fabrication is complete, a two-years deadline for the modem is "really pushing it," according to the report's source, who is said to have knowledge of Apple's plans. The main stumbling block is said to be the network optimization testing that's necessary to make sure the modem doesn't conflict with the wireless networks of other carriers. In addition, tests are needed to ensure compliance with global standards, not to mention the ability of the modem to satisfy FCC requirements. Given those hurdles, Fast Company's source believes 2023 may be a more realistic completion date for Apple's SoC modem. Apple agreed to acquire the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business in June, with a view to accelerating the development of its own 5G modem. A previous source claimed the iPhone maker wants to have an in-house chip ready for use in some of its products by 2021, while earlier sources reported timeframes of between 2022 and 2025. Whatever the timeline is and regardless of whether Apple is able to stick to it, the company's transition to custom 5G modems will likely happen in
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Tim Cook Defends Removal of Hong Kong Mapping App From App Store in Leaked Memo

Friday October 11, 2019 3:06 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple CEO Tim Cook has written to employees defending the company's controversial decision to pull an app used by Hong Kong protestors to coordinate gatherings and avoid large concentrations of police. Apple removed HKMap Live from the App Store on Thursday following the app's approval last week, which itself only came after an internal review of the company's original decision to reject it. Apple's reversal came after the Chinese Communist Party's flagship newspaper criticized Apple for letting the app into its store. In a company-wide memo, a verified copy of which has been reproduced on Pastebin, Cook told staff that the decision to remove the app was not easy, but that Apple had received "credible information" from Hong Kong police that the app was being used to target individuals for violence. Here's the memo in full: Team, You have likely seen the news that we made the decision to remove an app from the ‌App Store‌ entitled HKmap.live. These decisions are never easy, and it is harder still to discuss these topics during moments of furious public debate. It’s out of my great respect for the work you do every day that I want to share the way we went about making this decision. It is no secret that technology can be used for good or for ill. This case is no different. The app in question allowed for the crowdsourced reporting and mapping of police checkpoints, protest hotspots, and other information. On its own, this information is benign. However, over the past several days we received credible information, from the Hong Kong Cybersecurity and
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