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
UK Ban on Sale of Locked Handsets to Come into Effect December 2021
British telecoms regulator Ofcom has confirmed it is to ban mobile phone operators from selling locked handsets in order to make switching networks easier for customers (via Sky News).
The watchdog says the current rules hurt some consumers because locked handsets can't be used on other mobile networks until the owner pays for them to be unlocked – usually around £10.
Ofcom, which...
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iPhone 12 Six-Foot Drop Test Results: Ceramic Shield More Durable But Not Damage Proof
Apple's new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro feature a new Ceramic Shield screen that Apple says offers 4x better drop performance. To test that claim, Allstate Protection Plans put the two models through a range of breakability tests and recorded the results.
In a face down sidewalk drop test at six feet, the iPhone 12 suffered small cracks and scuffed corners and edges, leaving sharp grooves in ...
Bloomberg: New AirPods and AirPods Pro Coming in 2021, AirPods Studio Delayed, Third HomePod Model Also Possible
Apple plans to update its AirPods line next year with two new models including third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is working on two new models: third-generation entry-level AirPods and the second version of the AirPods Pro earbuds, according to people familiar with the plans.
...
Apple TV Remote App Inspired Steve Jobs to Make Original Siri Remote
Last week Apple removed the Apple TV Remote app from the App Store, given that the app's functionality has been baked into the Control Center on iPhone and iPad since iOS 11. Following the Remote app's discontinuation, a former Apple engineer took to Twitter to share some interesting details about the app's original development.
Alan Cannistraro writes that he began writing the app in 2006...
iOS 14: How to Use the Privacy Report Feature in Safari
In iOS 14, Apple has added a new Privacy Report feature to its Safari browser that's designed to prevent websites from tracking your internet usage as you browse.
The feature expands on Apple's Intelligent Tracking Prevention functionality, and severely limits the extent that sites try to track users for ad targeting and analytics.
To access the Privacy Report in Safari on iPhone and...
iOS 14: How to Prevent Apps From Tracking You Across Sites and Apps
Some third-party iOS apps that you install on iPhone and iPad try to use tracking mechanisms that track your behavior across various apps and websites. Happily, in iOS 14 and later, Apple forces such apps to ask for your permission first.
Apps that use these tracking mechanisms will show a popup asking you to enable tracking features, which are used for targeted advertising, data collection, ...
Launch Center Pro Lets Users Customize App Icons in iOS 14 Without Shortcuts
Customizing the home screen has become popular since the release of iOS 14, and many users have been adding custom app icons to their home screen using the Shortcuts app to create unprecedented levels of personalization.
The only problem with this method is that it kicks you to and from the Shortcuts app whenever you open an app with a custom icon, which isn't a great way to optimize usage...
New Photos Offer Better Look at iPhone 12 Color Options
As we wait for the iPhone 12 review embargo to lift later today, more pictures are circulating of the devices in real-world lighting conditions, providing a better look at the different colors available.
Leaker DuanRui has shared images on Twitter of the iPhone 12 in white, black, blue, green, and (PRODUCT)RED. The black and white colors are similar to the iPhone 11 colors, but the other...
Reliable Leaker Suggests AirTags 'Coming Soon' in Two Different Sizes
Apple's rumored AirTags Bluetooth tracking devices could launch imminently and will be available in two size options, based on new tweets from cryptic-but-reliable leaker L0vetodream.
In typical enigmatic style, the leaker first tweeted this morning that a "big one" and a "small one" are "coming soon," but withheld what they were referring to. However that was followed an hour later with the ...
UK to Close Loophole That Allows Phone Users to Take Photos or Play Games While Driving
The British government is closing a loophole in U.K. driving laws that allowed some smartphone users to escape punishment for picking up and using their mobile device to take a photo or play a game while driving (via BBC News).
As it stands, making phone calls and sending text messages are banned while driving on roads in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Drivers can get six...
iPhone 12 Models in Dual SIM Mode May Not Run at 5G Speeds, At Least Initially [Update: Confirmed]
Using an iPhone 12 in Dual SIM mode throttles the cellular data speed to 4G LTE, according to an Apple Sales FAQ shared with retailers and carriers.
All 5G iPhone 12 models support Dual SIM mode, which refers to the ability to switch between a SIM card and an eSIM operating on independent numbers and/or carriers. However, an image of a training document from Apple's Sales Web resources...
iPhone 12 Cases Buyer's Guide
Apple announced the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro this week, and pre-orders opened on Friday, October 16, with shipping dates due to begin on Friday, October 23.
The launch of a new iPhone is always a mad dash with case manufacturers trying to launch their products in time for the first customers. We've collected this list of early iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro cases presently...
New Google App Feature Lets You Hum a Song to Search for It
Google has added a new feature to its Search app that allows you to hum a song that's stuck in your head, and then use the company's machine learning algorithm to try and identify it.
In the Google app or using the Google Search widget, tap the mic icon and say "what's this song?" or click the "Search a song" button. Then start humming the tune for 10-15 seconds. When you're done, the...
Apple Watch PRODUCT(RED) Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Bands Now Available
When Apple announced Apple Watch Series 6 in September, it also introduced new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands in various colors, but the availability of PRODUCT(RED) variants of both bands was delayed until October.
Stock has now arrived, however, and Apple's PRODUCT(RED) Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch can be ordered today from Apple's online store for $49 and $99,...
Chris Rock Sells iPhone 12 and mmWave 5G in New Verizon Ad
During its iPhone 12 event this week, Apple expended an unusually long amount of talk time on pressing home the benefits of 5G, and even gave the chairman and CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, a segment to explain how "5G just got real."
"The power of Verizon 5G meets the first iPhone with 5G."
That same slogan is at the heart of Verizon's marketing campaign for mmWave 5G on iPhone 12, as this...
Apple Event to Unveil First Apple Silicon Macs Could Happen on November 17
Apple will hold another digital event on November 17 to announce its first Apple Silicon powered Macs, according to frequent leaker Jon Prosser.
Apple has already said that this year it intends to introduce the first Mac powered by an Apple Silicon chip instead of an Intel processor. One thing it hasn't revealed is the date it will be announced. According to Prosser's source, that date is No...
iOS 14: How to Limit How Much Access Third-Party Apps Have to Your Photo Library on iPhone and iPad
In iOS 14, Apple allows you to limit the level of access that third-party apps have to the photos library on your iPhone or iPad.
When apps that ask permission to access your photos, you can now choose to give access to your entire photo library or just a few photos at a time, which is useful if you don't want social networks like Facebook or Instagram seeing your entire camera roll.
If...
How to Prevent Network Operators From Tracking Your iPhone or iPad Across Wi-Fi Networks
In iOS 14 and later, your iPhone or iPad can use a different MAC address with each Wi-Fi network to prevent network operators from tracking your phone across different WiFi networks.
To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device has to identify itself to the network with a unique network address called a media access control (MAC) address.
If your iOS device always uses the same Wi-Fi MAC...
Apple Offering iPhone 12 Pre-Approval for UK Monthly Payment Plan Customers
Following the debut of the iPhone 12 series, Apple is offering U.K. customers pre-approval for its monthly payment plan ahead of when first pre-orders begin this Friday.
Customers planning to make 24 monthly payments of £54.12 at 0% APR can use the Apple Store app on the iPhone to go through all of the pre-approval steps to get ready to purchase an 6.1-inch iPhone 12 or 6.1-inch...
iPhone 12 Shipments Could Reach 80 Million Units By End of 2020
iPhone 12 shipments could reach as many as 80 million units by the end of the year thanks to Apple's more affordable pricing strategy, according to market observers (via DigiTimes).
The pricing dynamics, coupled with a number [of] technology updates, including a faster A14 processor, improved product designs and camera functionalities, is expected to bring a new round of sales growth for...
