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
First HomePod Jailbreak Stokes Speculation About Smart Speaker's Hacking Potential
The team behind the "Checkra1n" jailbreaking tool for iOS claims to have used it to successfully jailbreak Apple's HomePod, although it's unclear what that could mean for the smart speaker in terms of hacking potential.
The news was announced by Twitter user L1ngL1ng, who shared a screenshot of a macOS Terminal window that appears to show command line root access to the HomePod over a secure ...
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Today at Apple Launches 'Make Your Holiday' Project Book and Virtual Creative Sessions
Apple has launched a new Today at Apple program called "Make Your Holiday," aimed at getting users of all ages to create unique festive gifts using their Apple devices.
At the center of the program is a free downloadable 74-page project book that gives families and friends "easy-to-do projects and ideas for sharing gratitude, giving thoughtfully, and celebrating festively."
Add a bit of fun ...
Apps for Customizing iOS 14 Home Screens Installed on 15% of US iPhones
With the launch of iOS 14 in September, Apple introduced Home Screen widgets for the first time, ushering in an unprecedented wave of customization for the iPhone.
Several apps quickly emerged allowing users to personalize their Home Screen with custom widgets and icons, and new research by Sensor Tower reveals that almost 15% of iPhone users in the U.S. have installed at least one app to...
BOE Fails Apple's OLED Panel Validation for Second Time This Year
Chinese display maker BOE has reportedly failed yet again to secure a supply order from Apple for OLED panels for iPhones.
According to TheElec, OBE is still facing manufacturing issues at its Chengdu plant in Sichuan province, meaning the display maker has failed to secure Apple's validation for the OLED screens for the second time this year.
BOE's plant in Mianyang – in the same...
Apple Announces Winners of Second Annual Apple Music Awards
Apple has announced the winners of the second annual Apple Music Awards, which recognize "the best and boldest musicians of 2020 and their enormous impact on global culture."
The awards honor achievements in music across five categories, with winners chosen through a process that reflects both Apple Music's editorial perspective and what customers around the world are loving most.
Apple...
New Quicken 6.0 Universal App 'Twice as Fast on Apple Silicon'
Quicken has released version 6.0 of its popular finance and budgeting software that's twice as fast on Apple Silicon, according to the press release.
The new version is a universal app that allows it to run natively on Apple's M1-powered machines for a faster and more seamless user experience, while the interface builds on Apple's new UI design signature for macOS Big Sur.
"Quicken made a...
Pixelmator Pro 2.0 Launches With All-New Design and Native Apple M1 Support
Popular image editor app Pixelmator Pro has released version 2.0 ahead of schedule, bringing an all-new design for macOS Big Sur and native support for Macs powered by Apple's new M1 chip.
The new design features a simplified Effects Browser that makes it easier to find and apply effects, and new compact layouts for the sidebars and presets.
There's also a new Workspaces feature that...
Firefox 83 for Mac Brings HTTPS-Only Mode, Pinch to Zoom, and Performance Improvements
Mozilla has released Firefox 83 on Mac, bringing new features and improvements, including a new HTTPS-Only Mode, pinch to zoom, and more.
HTTPS-Only Mode is Mozilla's latest security feature that ensures users establish fully secure connections to every website they visit. If a website doesn't support the HTTPS encrypted protocol, Firefox asks for user permission before connecting....
PSA: You Can't Output Mac System Audio to Stereo-Paired HomePod Minis, But There Is a Workaround
If you were thinking of buying two HomePod mini speakers to use as a stereo pair with your Mac, you might want to think again. As some users undoubtedly found with the original HomePod, it's not possible to AirPlay to multiple speakers from the menu bar on a Mac.
The inability to select stereo-paired HomePod speakers as your Mac audio output device is a glaring omission in Apple's AirPlay...
How to Transfer Google Authenticator Accounts to Your New iPhone
If you buy a new iPhone to replace your existing one and you use the Google Authenticator app to access online accounts protected by two-factor authentication (2FA), you should transfer those accounts to your new phone as soon as possible, because without the 2FA codes close at hand, you could find yourself locked out of your online accounts.
2FA adds an extra layer of security to your...
How to Create a HomePod or HomePod Mini Stereo Pair
Adding a second HomePod to your setup enables stereo sound to create a wider soundstage for richer, more enveloping sound.
Each HomePod is able to play its own audio channel — left or right — while separating out both the ambient and direct energy. This provides a wide, almost three dimensional soundstage for a more immersive listening experience anywhere in the room. A HomePod...
How to Set Up Home Theater Audio with HomePod and Apple TV 4K
If you have an Apple TV 4K and own a HomePod or a stereo pair, you can create a theater experience with Dolby Atmos or surround sound right in your home.
Note that this feature is reliant on the directional and spatially aware capabilities of the original HomePod, so it is not available on the HomePod mini. Here's what you need.
Home Theater Audio: What You'll Need
An Apple TV 4K...
Google Maps Gains Real-Time 'Crowdedness' Transit Data, Live Food Delivery Status, and More
Google Maps gained three new features today to help users stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, including an expansion of its live transit "crowdedness" status information.
Crowdedness data shows the real-time state of transit lines when users look up directions. The information is crowdsourced and relies on in-app feedback from users. Before today, Google Maps only showed the data for...
Apple Celebrates 40 Years of Community At Its Cork Campus in Ireland
Apple has published an article on its website celebrating 40 years of community at its Cork campus in Ireland.
The story of Apple in Ireland began in 1980 with a single manufacturing facility and 60 employees. Fast-forward to today, and Ireland is home to more than 6,000 Apple employees and a sprawling campus in the city of Cork. As Apple celebrates its 40th anniversary in Ireland, the...
First M1 Apple Silicon Macs Now Available for In-Store Pickup
Today is the official launch day of Apple's new M1-powered Macs, and as customers who pre-ordered await their devices, Apple has also started in-store sales for the new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.
Customers across the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions can now place an order on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app and arrange for...
Apple Has Sent Folding iPhones to Foxconn for Testing, According to Chinese Report
Apple has begun sending foldable iPhones to assembly partner Foxconn for testing purposes, with a projected release set for September 2022, claims a new Chinese report out today.
Citing supply chain sources, Economic Daily News says the testing involves evaluating the use of OLED or Micro-LED display technology, because the choice of either screen will affect the subsequent assembly methods. ...
iFixit's iPhone 12 Mini Teardown Reveals Apple's Miniaturized Components
Following its iPhone 12 and 12 Pro teardowns, iFixit has shared its teardown of the iPhone 12 mini, providing a look at the similarities and differences between the small form factor smartphone and its larger siblings in Apple's iPhone 12 series.
iPhone 12 mini (left) compared to iPhone 12 on the right
The first thing that's evident from the iPhone 12 mini teardown is the smaller 8.57 Wh...
Privacy Group Files Legal Complaints in Europe Targeting Apple's Device Identifier Service for Advertisers
Apple's device identifier service for advertisers is being targeted by privacy advocates in two complaints to Spanish and German authorities, reports Bloomberg.
A Vienna-based group called NOYB ("None Of Your Business") has filed complaints with data protection authorities in the two countries, calling for them to outlaw Apple's "Identifier for Advertisers" (IDFA) service.
Each...
iPhone 12 Mini Users Report Lock Screen Touch Sensitivity Issues
A significant number of new iPhone 12 mini owners are reporting Lock Screen sensitivity issues since receiving their phones. The MacRumors forum has a post running several pages describing the issue, and the thread has been shared on Reddit, where more users are reporting similar problems.
Specifically, the problem manifests for most users when swiping up from the bottom of the Lock Screen...
iPhone 12 Upgrade Program Now Available in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Reservations for Apple's iPhone 12 Upgrade Program are once again available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The program has been unavailable in the United Kingdom since November 5 due to lockdown restrictions in England. Unfortunately, because of the way Apple's retail system operates, this meant the program was also temporarily unavailable in the UK's other three constituent...
