Tim Hardwick
Tim is a Senior Editor at MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2016. Formerly a magazine journalist, his work has appeared in over 30 newsstand print publications and online brands covering a range of topics, from the latest trends in technology to the mysteries of ancient history.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Tim Hardwick's Articles
iPhone 15 Pro Max: Everything You Need to Know About 5x Optical Zoom
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max features a tetraprism lens system capable of up to 5x optical zoom, an improvement over the 3x zoom that's available in the iPhone 15 Pro and the prior-generation iPhone 14. The Telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max features Apple's most advanced camera stabilization system yet, with a combination of optical image stabilization and an autofocus 3D...
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iPhone 15 Pro: How to Enable and Disable Camera Focal Length Presets
On Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models, users can switch between three preset camera focal lengths when shooting on the main camera. This article explains what they are and how to enable or disable them on your iPhone. To take advantage of the enhanced camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added three popular focal length options for the main camera's...
iPhone 15: How to Locate Friends With Precision Finding
If you and a friend have an iPhone 15, you can use Apple's Precision Finding feature to locate your friend and meet up. Keep reading to learn how it works. On iPhone 15 models, Apple introduced Precision Finding for People. If you and the friend you're lookng for has an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro model, Precision Finding can guide you right to them with the help of on-screen directions and...
iPhone 15 Pro: How to Transfer Data Over USB-C at 10Gbps Speed
All of Apple's iPhone 15 models come with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, but not all devices in the lineup offer the same port data transfer speed. The iPhone 15 switch to USB-C brings several conveniences, such as the ability to use the same charging cable for Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other USB-C accessories. Now that the iPhone 15 models have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, ...
How to Adjust Camera Focal Length on iPhone 15 Pro
On Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models, the Main camera now allows users to switch between three focal lengths when shooting. Keep reading to learn how it works. To take advantage of the enhanced camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added three popular focal length options for the main camera's optical zoom. There's the default 24mm (equivalent to 1x optical zoom)...
iPhone 15: How to Charge Apple Watch, AirPods, or Another iPhone
Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models use a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port for charging and data transfer purposes, and the new port also allows an iPhone 15 to charge AirPods or an Apple Watch directly. If your AirPods or Apple Watch run out of battery while you don't have access to a charger, now you can use your iPhone's battery for a little extra juice rather...
How to Switch Between Mute/Silent and Ring Mode on iPhone 15 Pro
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduce a new programmable Action button that replaces the traditional ring/silent switch above the volume buttons. The Action button can be programmed to perform several different functions, but don't worry – the ability to switch between Silent and Ring mode has not gone away. They are simply activated differently. By default, the...
iPhone 15 Pro: How to Set a Default Camera Focal Length
On iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple has introduced three focal length options for shooting with the main camera. This article explains what the options are, and how to set a preferred default focal length for taking photos. To take advantage of the enhanced camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added three different focal length options for the main camera's optical...
How to Prevent Your iPhone 15 Battery Charging Beyond 80%
All iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that when enabled prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more appropriate time by learning the device's daily charging routine. When the 80% hard...
How to Check Battery Cycle Count on iPhone 15
On all iPhone 15 models, Apple has made it possible to check the number of completed battery cycles, which is a valuable metric to determine your device's battery condition. Previously, finding out an iPhone's battery cycle count was not an option in Apple's mobile operating system, and curious users had to resort either to unofficial methods (via third-party apps like CoconutBattery, for...
iPhone 15 Pro: How to Customize the Action Button
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduce a new programmable Action button that replaces the traditional Ring/Silent switch above the volume buttons. Keep reading to learn what the Action button is capable of, and how you can customize it. The all-new Action button on Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models replaces the traditional iPhone switch that activates Ring and Silent. By...
iPhone 15: How to Take Portrait Mode Photos
On iPhone 15 models, Apple has added a new way to take portrait photos. This article explains what's changed. Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing iPhone users to shoot a photo that keeps the subject sharp with a blurred background. With the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple has upped its portrait...
iPhone 15: How to Turn Photos into Portraits After Shooting
On iPhone 15, if you take a photo of a person, cat, or dog, the camera detects them in the frame and captures rich depth information automatically — allowing you to turn it into a stunning portrait right away or later on in the Photos app. Here's how it's done. Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing...
iPhone 15: What Dynamic Island Does and How to Use It
When the iPhone 14 Pro models were announced in 2022, Apple surprised many with its innovative integration of software functions with the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen. Apple calls this area of the display the "Dynamic Island," and has since extended the feature to all iPhone 15 models. This article explains what Dynamic Island does, how it works, and how you can interact with it to ...
'Categorically Terrible,' and Other Early Reactions to Apple's New FineWoven Accessories
Apple has stopped selling leather accessories, and the company claims its "FineWoven" range of iPhone cases and accessories are overall more environmentally friendly. But in the court of public opinion, early reactions to Apple's alternative material choice appear to be trending towards the negative end of the spectrum. Image credit: Nilay Patel of The Verge Apple calls the new fabric option...
Apple Launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Brazil
Apple has announced the launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Brazil, allowing independent sellers, small merchants, and large retailers in the country to use iPhones as a payment terminal. Introduced in February 2022, the feature allows compatible iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets, using only an iPhone...
WSJ: Apple's 5G Modem Prototypes 'Three Years Behind Qualcomm's Best Chip'
In the last few years, Apple has spent billions of dollars attempting to develop its own modem chip to replace the Qualcomm modem chips that it uses in iPhones, but a new paywalled Wall Street Journal report suggests Apple's approach to the project has been dogged by unrealistic goals, a poor understanding of the challenges involved, and completely unusable prototypes. Apple's plan to design ...
Philips Hue Bridge Matter Support Update Now Available
Matter support is now being rolled out to Philips Hue Bridge owners via a software update, according to the company, enabling the smart home system's interoperability with third-party lights. Matter is a connectivity standard that enables smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, Google's Home, and others. For...
Latest WhatsApp Beta Features Native iPad Support
WhatsApp for iPad finally appears to be nearing a release. In the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for TestFlight, Meta has introduced an option to use WhatsApp on an iPad independently of an iPhone, thanks to an update to its Link a Device feature. WhatsApp currently allows users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account even when their main smartphone...
How to Use All the New AirPods Pro Features in iOS 17
iOS 17 is finally here, and so are new features for second-generation AirPods Pro, such as the particularly impressive Adaptive Audio, the ability mute/unmute yourself when on a phone call, and more. Keep reading to learn what use cases the new noise control features are designed for, and how you can control them in iOS 17 when your iPhone is connected to AirPods Pro 2 with updated...
