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
TikTok Debuts Its First AR Effect to Use LiDAR in iPhone 12 Pro Models
TikTok has launched its first augmented reality effect to make use of the LiDAR technology present in iPhone 12 Pro devices (via TechCrunch).
To ring in 2021 we released our first AR effect on the new iPhone 12 Pro, using LiDAR technology which allows us to create effects that interact with your environment - visually bridging the digital and physical worlds. We're excited to develop more ...
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Microsoft Edge History and Tab Sync Features Start Rolling Out
Microsoft has started rolling out history and tab syncing features for its Edge browser, almost a year after the app's official release on Mac and Windows.
The new features enable users to sync all the web pages they've visited to every device on which they're signed into Edge, whether that's Mac, iOS, Windows, or Android.
The toggles for the two features in Settings -> Profiles -> Sync...
iPhone 13 Pro Models to Use Samsung LTPO Technology for 120Hz Display
Samsung will be the exclusive supplier of LTPO OLED displays for the "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone 13 lineup later this year, according to TheElec.
Apple's rumored adoption of LTPO display technology would allow it to implement a 120Hz refresh rate on the higher end next-generation iPhones, as today's report notes:
Samsung Display will be the exclusive supplier used by Apple for organic...
'Minecraft Earth' Mobile AR Game to Shut Down Later This Year
Microsoft says it is shutting down augmented reality game "Minecraft Earth" in June 2021 due to the restricted movement and lack of social mingling brought about by the global health crisis.
First demoed at WWDC 2019 before launching in November the same year, "Minecraft Earth" gained plaudits for its use of AR to superimpose the game's collaborative creations onto the real world.
On...
Trump Signs Executive Order to Ban US Transactions With WeChat Pay and 7 Other Chinese Apps
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps, including WeChat Pay and AliPay (via Reuters).
The order prohibits all U.S. transactions with the companies behind the apps, the full list of which includes Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay, and WPS Office.
The order tasks the Commerce...
How to Connect AirPods Max to Apple TV
When you pair AirPods Max headphones to your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac, the pairing information is synced across all the devices linked to your iCloud account. That means if you've already paired your AirPods Max to one of your devices, then you won't need to go through the process again when it comes to connecting them to your Apple TV.
However, even if your AirPods Max...
How to Get AirPods Max to Announce Your Calls
If you receive a call on your iPhone (or an Apple Watch with cellular) when your AirPods Max are connected, you'll notice the ringing tone interrupt whatever it is you're listening to.
To find out who's calling, normally you'd have to take out your iPhone or look at your Apple Watch, but you can actually make your AirPods Max (or any connected headphones) announce who it is,...
App Store Spending Reached $72 Billion in 2020, Says Sensor Tower
Apple device users spent a record $72 billion on the App Store in 2020, a 30% increase on app spending the previous year, according to a new Sensor Tower report.
Globally, consumer spending on the App Store reached $72.3 billion, up 30.3 percent Y/Y from $55.5 billion in 2019. As in previous years, this exceeded the amount users spent on Google Play, which grew 30 percent Y/Y from $29.7...
New Lockdown Measures Close All Remaining Apple Stores in the UK
Apple has temporarily closed all of its stores in the United Kingdom, as England and most of Scotland enter new lockdowns to curb a steep rise in coronavirus cases thought to be caused by a new strain.
Announced on Monday by U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the new lockdowns close all schools and non-essential shops, and mean people must stay...
Apple Launches New Weekly Fitness+ Series and Apple Music Playlists
Apple has added several new "goal-setting workouts" to its Fitness+ subscription service, as part of a new weekly series that aims to help users keep on top of their training and stay motivated into the New Year and beyond.
A new introductory video can be found on the main Fitness+ page in the Fitness app, where trainer Kim highlights what's new in the subscription service this week and...
Apple's 'Ring in the New Year' Activity Challenge Now Available
Apple's annual "Ring in the New Year" Activity Challenge has begun appearing for many users in the Fitness app on iPhone and Apple Watch over the last few days.
The challenge's rules are similar to previous New Year awards, requiring users to close all three Activity rings for seven days in a row in January.
Ring in the New Year Challenge
Start 2021 off right. This January, earn this...
Samsung to Unveil New Smartphones at Galaxy Unpacked Event on January 14
Samsung has sent out media invites to its Galaxy Unpacked event on Thursday, January 14, when the company is expected to officially announce its new Galaxy S21 lineup.
Samsung is expected to unveil three new smartphones at the event: The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra. The successors to last year's Galaxy S20 series will come in familiar 6.2 to 6.8-inch size options, with the S21 and...
Apple Removes 39,000 Games From China App Store
Apple on Thursday removed nearly 39,000 apps from its Chinese App Store due to the apps lacking an official license from local regulators, reports Reuters.
The report, which cites data from research firm Qimai, says that games affected by the cull included Ubisoft title Assassin's Creed Identity and NBA 2K20. According to Qimai, only 74 of the top 1,500 paid games on the China App Store...
Amazon Acquires Podcast Startup Wondery
Amazon has announced it is acquiring Wondery, the podcast startup that reportedly held talks with Apple last month as it shopped for a buyer.
In a press release, Amazon said that Wondery had signed an agreement to join Amazon Music, bringing popular podcasts like "Dirty John" and "Dr. Death" into the streaming service's existing podcast offering.
We're pleased to announce that Wondery has...
Gazelle's Used Device Trade-In Program to End Next Year
Long-running used smartphone buyer Gazelle has announced the coming end of its trade-in program, which accepts people's old iPhones, iPads, and Macs in exchange for cash.
The company revealed the news in an email to customers, explaining that it will no longer offer its trade-in option from February 1, 2021. Customers have until January 31 to get a quote and complete a trade-in, while anyone ...
AirPods Max Noise Cancelation in Only One Side? Here's How to Fix It
After using AirPods Max for a while now, some users have reported experiencing an issue with the headphones that occurs when switching them between active noise cancelation and transparency modes.
Pressing the noise control button on the right ear cup is meant to toggle AirPods Max between the two modes seamlessly, but sometimes only one of the ear cups will switch modes in response,...
Apple Pulls App That Promoted Secret Parties During Ongoing Pandemic
Apple has pulled an iOS app from the App Store that encouraged users to organize secret underground parties despite social distancing measures and U.S. pandemic restrictions, reports The Verge.
Called "Vybe Together," the app billed itself as a place to organize and attend secret parties, with its now-defunct website using the tagline "Get your rebel on. Get your party on."
App users...
Apple Reportedly in Talks With Mariah Carey to Make 'Magical Christmas Special' Follow-Up
Apple is reportedly in talks with singer Mariah Carey to make a 2021 follow-up to her "Magical Christmas Special," which premiered on Apple TV+ earlier this month.
According to The Sun, the festive show cost £4 million ($5.4 million) and went to number one in Apple's charts in over 100 countries, and was such a "runaway hit" that Apple executives now want to secure her for another special...
Trump Administration Appeals Latest Court Order Blocking TikTok Ban
The Department of Justice this week formally appealed a judge's order that blocks restrictions on TikTok by the U.S. government, according to a new court filing, in a continuation of the Trump administration's campaign against the short-form video sharing platform (via CNN).
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols issued an order blocking the Department of Commerce's...
Apple and Other Browser Makers Ban Kazakhstan HTTPS Certificate Used to Surveil Citizens
Apple has teamed up with Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla to block a web browser root certificate that was being used by the Kazakhstan government to surveil its citizens.
The certificate allowed authorities to monitor people's online activity by intercepting and decrypting HTTPS traffic from residents in Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan.
Local ISPs were required to block foreign...
