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
Instagram Announces New Features to Help Support Users Affected By Eating Disorders
Instagram is launching new features to help support users on its platform who may be affected by negative body image or an eating disorder, the company has announced.
Previously, Instagram had limited its policy to obscuring content that may trigger users suffering from an eating disorder, but the new policy adds to this by aiming to surface more expert-backed resources when people search...
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Disney+ Launches Adult-Friendly 'Star' Channel for International Subscribers
Disney+ today launched its adult-friendly Star channel for existing subscribers in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The Star brand includes content from Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, and 20th Television that's aimed more at grown-ups, as opposed to the all-ages content that's currently available on Disney+.
Star is the sixth brand to launch on Disney+,...
Facebook Reverses Australian Ban on News Sharing
Facebook has announced that it will restore the ability for users in Australia to share news content on the social platform, following changes to the country's media code.
The company banned all news sharing last week in response to a proposed Media Bargaining Law, which aims to level the playing field between Australian news media businesses and digital platforms in terms of bargaining...
Huawei Unveils $2,800 Foldable 'Mate X2' Smartphone With Dual-Screen Redesign
Chinese smartphone company Huawei has today unveiled its latest foldable smartphone, the Mate X2, at a special event in China.
The successor to 2019's Mate X, the phone has received a radical redesign and now features a large uninterrupted 8-inch screen that folds inwards, rather than having the main display on the exterior, as with the original device.
The main screen uses a 180Hz...
WhatsApp Reveals What Happens to Users Who Don't Agree to Upcoming Privacy Policy Changes
WhatsApp has revealed how it will gradually limit the features available to accounts held by users who do not accept the platform's impending privacy policy changes, due to come into effect on May 15.
WhatsApp's new banner explaining the privacy policy changes
According to an email seen by TechCrunch to one of its merchant partners, WhatsApp said it will "slowly ask" users who have not yet...
Apple Maps Expands Turn-by-Turn Directions for United Arab Emirates
Apple has expanded its turn-by-turn navigation in Apple Maps for the United Arab Emirates. The app now offers more detailed directions for driving and walking, with options to book a ride through Uber also showing within the app.
Still missing for users in the UAE is public transit information, lane guidance and speed limits, although given that the addition of turn-by-turn directions is...
Bloomberg: Apple Working on MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12
Apple is working on a magnetic battery pack attachment for iPhone 12, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple has been developing the attachment for at least a year and it has been scheduled to launch in the months following the release of the iPhone 12 line, according to people with knowledge of the product. The iPhone 12 models were introduced in October.
The battery ...
HomeKit Support Rolling Out to IKEA's TRADFRI Motion Sensor and Shortcut Button
IKEA is rolling out Apple HomeKit support for the Motion sensor and Shortcut button in its TRÅDFRI range of smart home products, according to release notes for an upcoming Gateway software update.
First spotted by Dutch blog iCulture, the next Gateway firmware version (1.13.21) coming down the line will include HomeKit support for the sensor and button, allowing the accessories to be used to ...
Bloomberg: Apple Hiring Engineers to Work on 6G Wireless Connectivity
Apple is hiring engineers to work on next-generation 6G wireless technology, based on job listings spotted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The listings are for positions at Apple's offices in Silicon Valley and San Diego, where the company works on wireless technology development and chip design, according to Gurman's report.
"You will have the unique and rewarding opportunity to craft next...
iPhone Assembler Pegatron Acquires Land for Production Base in India
Apple supplier Pegatron says it has spent $14.2 million to buy the rights to use a plot of land for building a factory in Channai, India.
Via a DigiTimes report:
Pegatron will set up a manufacturing base on the factory site mainly for production of iPhone smartphones, with production to begin the earliest in the second half of 2021, according to industry sources, adding Pegatron plans to...
Facebook Blocks All News Sharing on Its Platforms in Australia
Facebook has followed through on its threat to ban users from sharing news on its platform in Australia, in response to proposed media laws in the country that the company claims "fundamentally misunderstand" its relationship with publishers who share news content.
The move is a retaliation to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) proposed Media Bargaining law, which seeks...
Google Maps iOS App Will Soon Let You Pay for Parking and Transit Rides
Google has just rolled out a new pay for parking feature in the U.S. that lets Android users pay for street parking and mass transit fares right from within Google Maps, without having to come in contact with a parking meter or ticket machine.
These days, people are upping their hand sanitizing game and avoiding touching public surfaces as much as possible. Thanks to an integration with...
Disney+ Plans International Rollout of Adult-Friendly 'Star' Channel to Subscribers Starting Next Week
Disney+ is set to expand its streaming service offering next week with a rollout of its more adult-aimed Star brand to existing subscribers in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
According to CNET, the Star brand will include content from Disney Television Studios, FX, 20th Century Studios, and 20th Television that's more adult-friendly, as opposed to the all-ages content that's...
Apple Music Subscribers Can Share Lyrics and Song Clips in iOS 14.5 Beta 2
Apple on Tuesday released the second betas of iOS and iPadOS 14.5 to developers, and while there were some new additions worth highlighting, most of the more notable features were thought to be already available in the first set of betas.
However, developer Federico Viticci today discovered another neat new feature not seen in previous versions of iOS 14.5: Apple Music subscribers can now...
Apple Extends Lead Over Samsung As Biggest Buyer of Semiconductor Chips in 2020
Apple was easily the largest buyer of semiconductor chips in 2020, according to the latest data collected by Gartner. Apple spent $53.6 billion and took 11.9% of the global market share, representing 24% growth year-on-year, while Samsung was the second biggest buyer, spending $36.4 billion and taking 8.1% of the market, representing 20.4% growth year-on-year.
Together, the two companies...
Epic Games Takes Legal Battle With Apple to Europe With Antitrust Complaint
Epic Games has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in the European Union, broadening its legal battle against the tech giant by attempting to appeal to the EU's differing interpretation of antitrust issues compared to those in the United States (via The Wall Street Journal).
Last September, Epic Games added a Fortnite update that allowed customers to purchase in-game currency directl...
Doppler Music Player to Gain Siri Support, Spotlight Integration, and CarPlay App [Update: Out Now]
Doppler is getting a significant update next week, bringing some notable track and album features to the increasingly popular third-party music playing app for iPhone.
For those unfamiliar, the Doppler app offers users an alternative way to experience their music library, sporting an adaptive minimalist interface with an emphasis on album artwork/metadata editing on iPhone and support for...
TikTok Faces Consumer Law and Child Safety Complaints Across EU
TikTok on Tuesday was targeted by EU consumer protection groups for allegedly violating the bloc's consumer laws and for failing to protect children from hidden advertising and inappropriate content (via Reuters).
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) lodged a complaint against the short video-sharing app with the European Commission, citing several issues in its complaint, one of which...
Vivid Money Neobank Now Supports Apple Pay in France
Vivid Money now supports Apple Pay in France, the neobank has announced.
As spotted by iGeneration, the Russian-German mobile bank announced the development on its Twitter account, and users have already confirmed that they're able to add their Vivid Visa card to Apple's Wallet app this morning.
Launched in France last November, the neobank offers 25% cashback on daily expenses as well as ...
iPhone 13 Mini Still Expected Despite Lackluster iPhone 12 Mini Sales
Apple is expected to retain its smallest 5.4-inch iPhone model size in its forthcoming iPhone 13 lineup, despite a barrage of recent reports suggesting lackluster iPhone 12 mini sales.
2021 began with a report suggesting Apple's iPhone 12 mini, which is the smallest iPhone that has been released since the 2016 iPhone SE, was not selling as well as Apple hoped, making up just 6% of iPhone 12...
