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
Signal Private Messenger Gains Chat Wallpapers, Animated Stickers, 'About' Profile Section, and More
Encrypted messaging app Signal has been updated with several new features that reflect its increase in popularity, including chat wallpapers, an "About" section in user profiles, and more.
In a change that should appeal to former WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger users, Signal now lets you set chat wallpapers for individual chats, or set a single default background for all chat threads....
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Hyundai Executives Said to Be 'Divided' Over Prospect of Apple Car Partnership
Rumors that Apple is in negotiations with Hyundai about developing an Apple Car have been in the air over the last few weeks, and a new Reuters report today provides further details on the state of play between the two companies.
According to the report, the outlook for a deal has dimmed because Hyundai executives are divided over the prospect of working with Apple. Hyundai's main concern is ...
Apple Shares 'Shot on iPhone' Short Film By Lulu Wang for Chinese New Year
Apple today shared a new video in its ongoing "Shot on iPhone" series, this time highlighting a short film about a Chinese New Year legend reimagined as a contemporary coming-of-age story.
Directed by American filmmaker Lulu Wang, "Nian" tells the story of a little girl who grows curious about a mythical creature that lives in the forest and – so her parents say – likes to eat children. ...
Telegram Working on Tool That Lets You Import WhatsApp Chats
Telegram is working on a way to let users import their chat history from WhatsApp so they won't lose old conversations if they switch messaging platforms.
An update to the app briefly appeared in the App Store on Wednesday detailing the new import tool, but another update was swiftly issued that removed all mention of the tool, suggesting Telegram is still developing it.
WABetaInfo was...
Apple Takes Top Spot in Global Smartphones Market With Record 82 Million iPhone Shipments in Q4 2020
Apple has taken the spot in the global smartphone market thanks to record iPhone shipments, while Samsung and Huawei have lost significant ground, according to the latest market research firm data.
Canalys research found that Apple shipped more iPhones than ever in the fourth quarter of 2020, at 81.8 million units. Samsung meanwhile took second place shipping 62 million units – a 12%...
WhatsApp to Require Face ID or Touch ID When Linking Accounts to Web and Desktop Apps
WhatsApp will soon require biometric authentication to link a WhatsApp account to a computer web browser or desktop app, reports The Verge.
The mobile app uses a QR code to link a user account to a web browser or desktop app, but the company wants to make the process more secure so that it can't be done by anyone who happens to gain access to your iPhone.
The new system will be enabled by ...
Apple Execs Discussed Not 'Leaving Money on the Table' When Deciding Apple TV Subscription Fees
Apple executive emails revealed in the Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit highlight how the company came to its conclusion to take a 30% cut on all App Store transactions in a way that ensured it wasn't "leaving money on the table."
One email thread from 2011, spotted by The Verge, features Apple services chief Eddy Cue discussing the commission that the company should charge providers for content ...
Research Suggests Apple Doubled Its Market Share in India Last Year
Apple's market share in India increased from 2% to 4% in the quarter that ended in December, based on data collated by research firms Counterpoint and Cybermedia.
As reported by TechCrunch, Apple shipped more than 1.5 million iPhone units in India in the quarter, up 100% year-on-year, making this its best quarter in the country to date.
According to the data, Apple managed to double its...
How to Create a New Group in Signal Encrypted Messenger
Signal Encrypted Messenger has become increasingly popular among smartphone users, thanks above all else to its emphasis on privacy and security. Signal chats are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one – not even the Signal service – can see the messages that you send and receive to other users.
In addition, Signal supports the creation of group chats, and like regular conversations in the...
How to Use Time to Walk on Apple Fitness+
Time to Walk is a feature for Apple Fitness+ subscribers that offers audio stories from influential people that Apple Watch users can listen to with AirPods or other wireless headphones while walking.
During Time to Walk episodes, you can listen to stories from guests, hear songs they've chosen, and see photos that are meaningful to them on your Apple Watch. The following explains how Time...
Gemini 2 for Mac Gains Real-Time Duplicate Files Monitor With Alerts
MacPaw, the developers behind the Setapp store, have released a major update to their award-winning duplicate finder app, Gemini 2, in the form of a real-time duplicates monitor.
The Duplicates Monitor, which appears as a menu bar item and runs in the background, identifies identical files as they're added to macOS, including pictures, videos, documents, and audio files.
When a duplicate...
Facebook News Tab Launches in the United Kingdom
Facebook News today launched in the United Kingdom, the first country outside of the U.S. to receive the curated news portal.
Accessed via a dedicated tab in the mobile Facebook app, the portal features licensed content from hundreds of local and national media organizations including The Guardian, The Economist, The Independent, Channel 4 News, Sky News, Daily Mail Group, and Financial Times...
Spotify Tests Audiobooks Market With Collection of Literary Classics
Spotify has started releasing audiobook recordings on its streaming platform, indicating the company's intention to further broaden its library of non-music content (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The collection of nine audiobooks are in the public domain, but are original recordings that are exclusive to Spotify. The titles include Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, narrated by David Dobrik, Narrati...
How to Increase the Text Size on Your Apple Watch
Apple Watch models are available in 40mm and 44mm sizes to compensate for different wrist shapes and to offer customers the choice of a smaller or bigger screen. Whichever model size you go for, both feature clear and bright OLED screens that are designed to display text as clearly as possible.
However, if you're longsighted or you regularly suffer from eyestrain, no amount of backlighting...
How to Use the Zoom Accessibility Feature on Apple Watch
Apple Watch models are available in 40mm and 44mm sizes to compensate for different wrist shapes and to offer customers the choice of a smaller or bigger screen. Whichever model size you go for, both feature clear and bright high-resolution OLED screens that are designed to display text as clearly as possible.
On the other hand, if you're longsighted or you regularly suffer from eyestrain,...
How to Use Signal Messenger's Face Blurring Photo Feature
Encrypted messaging app Signal features a face-blurring feature that automatically locates and blurs faces in images shared over the chat platform.
It's a neat tool to help protect the privacy of the people in the photos you share, and all processing involved in the blur feature happens locally on the device to maintain privacy.
Not only does it make it easy to give every face a hiding...
Leaked Sony 'Xperia Compact' Images Confirm Android-Based iPhone 12 Mini Rival on the Way
Coming in at 5.4-inches, Apple's iPhone 12 mini is one of the smallest premium smartphones on the market, and has received a broadly positive reception amongst its owners, despite reports of lackluster sales compared to Apple's larger iPhone 12 models.
The reason for the smaller margin of iPhone 12 mini sales compared to the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max is likely a sign of ...
How to Save Files Received in Messages on iPhone and iPad
Apple's Messages app offers one of the most convenient ways of having a text-based conversation with your contacts on iPhone and iPad, but messages aren't the only things you can send and receive. Apple's iMessage service enables all manner of files and attachments to be shared, such as photos, links, documents, audio messages, and more.
Files that are sent to you can of course be accessed...
Bloomberg: Face ID for iMac Likely Pushed Back to Second Iteration of Upcoming Redesign
Apple is believed to be working on redesigned versions of the iMac that feature the biggest design overhaul to the iMac line since 2012. However, Apple's Face ID facial recognition authentication system is likely to feature in the second iteration of the redesign rather than the first, which is due this year, according to a new report today by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The tidbit came at the...
Bloomberg: Apple Working on 'Thinner and Lighter' High-End MacBook Air With MagSafe, Could Launch in Second Half of 2021
Apple is working on a "thinner and lighter" version of the MacBook Air that the company plans to release during the second half of this year at the earliest or in 2022, according to a new report by well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
It will include Apple's MagSafe charging technology and a next-generation version of the company's in-house Mac processors. Apple has discussed...
