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
2020 iPad Pro Includes Microphone Hardware Disconnect Security Feature
Apple has added an anti-eavesdropping feature to the 2020 iPad Pro that ensures the microphone hardware is disabled when a case is attached to the iPad and closed.
The security feature was first introduced in 2018 in MacBook models using Apple's T2 security chip, which includes a hardware microphone disconnect feature that disables the mics when the notebook's lid is closed.
As spotted...
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Fantastical 3.0.9 Adds Cursor Support for iPad and More
Flexibits today updated its popular Fantastical calendar app with some notable changes and improvements, including cursor support for iPads.
With the release of iPadOS 13.4, Apple introduced mouse and trackpad support for its tablets, and Fantastical has been updated to take full advantage, enabling users to navigate the interface and edit calendar entries using a cursor.
Version 3.0.9 of ...
How to Use iCloud Email Address Aliases
Apple enables iCloud account holders to use email aliases, which allow you to send and receive emails without disclosing your true email address.
Using an email alias to log in to websites and online services can help protect your genuine email address by hiding it from spammers and other sources of unsoliticted messages.
In addition, email aliases make it easy to filter messages, because...
How to Customize the Apps in Your iOS Share Sheet
In iOS, the ubiquitous Share Sheet is a powerful feature that lets you share the content you're viewing in an app with people in your contacts or with other apps on your iPhone or iPad.
The first row of icons in the Share Sheet shows suggestions for conversations that you might want to share something to, while the second row offers a quick way to export what you're viewing to other apps,...
Spotify Kids Launches in Canada, France, and the US
Spotify has launched its standalone app for children in Canada, France, and the United States. Called Spotify Kids, the family-friendly version of the music streaming service is exclusively for Premium Family subscribers and comes tailored for children aged three and up.
The service was originally launched as a beta in Ireland last year and has since rolled out to Argentina, Australia,...
Zoom Accused of Misleading Users With 'End-to-End Encryption' Claims Amid Other Security Issues [Updated]
Zoom is facing fresh scrutiny today following a report that the videoconferencing app's encryption claims are misleading.
Zoom states on its website and in its security white paper that the app supports end-to-end encryption, a term that refers to a way of protecting user content so that the company has no access to it whatsoever.
However, an investigation by The Intercept reveals that...
U.S. Government Using Mobile Ad Location Data to Track Compliance With Curbs on Movement
The U.S. government is using smartphone location data from the mobile ad industry to track people's movements amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Local governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have received the anonymized data about people in areas of "geographic interest," with the aim being to create a portal of geolocation...
UK Telecoms Providers Remove All Data Caps on Home Broadband Services
Britain's big telecoms providers have agreed to lift the data caps on all fixed-line broadband services to help people isolated at home following the coronavirus epidemic, reports Reuters.
The companies, which include BT, Virgin Media, Sky, O2, Vodafone, Three, and TalkTalk, committed to support and protect vulnerable customers during the pandemic following talks with the government and...
Bloomberg: Apple's 5G iPhone Still on Schedule for Fall Launch, But Future Products Could Be Delayed
Apple's 5G iPhone is still on track to launch within the company's typical annual fall release schedule, according to a new Bloomberg report on filed on Monday.
Signs are that Apple's Chinese-centric manufacturing -- of which Hon Hai is the linchpin -- is slowly getting back on track. The next iPhones with 5G wireless capabilities remain on schedule to launch in the fall, partly because mass...
How to Get Siri to Respond to Your Voice When Your iPhone's Screen is Covered
Normally your iPhone will stop listening for the "Hey Siri" command when you place your device face down on a surface or the screen is otherwise covered. In these circumstances "Hey Siri" is automatically disabled until the situation changes.
If you find this automated behavior inconvenient for your purposes, you'll be happy to learn that in iOS 13.4, Apple has added an option to always...
How to Make a FaceTime Call With Siri
If you're a frequent user of FaceTime, you may have relocated the FaceTime app to your main Home screen for convenience. Or perhaps you've set up the Phone app widget for quick-access to your favorite FaceTime contacts.
Alternatively, you could always use your voice to make a FaceTime call using Apple's Siri virtual assistant. It really couldn't be easier – the following steps show you how...
How to Switch from a Regular Phone Call to FaceTime
On iPhone, if you're on a regular voice call to someone and they're also using an iPhone, you can switch in mid-call to a FaceTime video chat, without even hanging up. It's a handy feature to make use of if you're chatting to someone over the phone and they want to show you something.
The following steps show you how it's done. Remember, FaceTime is an iPhone-only feature, so placing a...
How to Adjust TV App Streaming Quality Settings on iPhone
If you have an Apple TV+ subscription or you've rented or purchased movies via iTunes, you can stream them over Wi-Fi or cellular using Apple's TV app for iPhone and iPad.
In iOS 13.4 and later, iPhone and iPad users can control the streaming quality of TV app content over Wi-Fi and cellular, which is particularly good for those who don't have unlimited streaming plans or don't want to hog the ...
WhatsApp and Amazon Alexa Launch Coronavirus Information Services
The British government this week launched a coronavirus information service on WhatsApp to help users access information about the disease from their smartphones.
WhatsApp users in the U.K. can access the service by tapping this link. Alternatively, start a new chat in WhatsApp, select New Contact, and add the number (+44) 7860 064422 to the Mobile field. The number will appear at the bottom...
How to Enable or Disable Apple Music's New Release Alerts in iOS
Apple on Thursday began rolling out a new Apple Music feature on iPhone and iPad that alerts users to new albums, EPs, and videos from artists included in their music library.
The alerts show at the top of the Library tab in the Music app, and given that they relate to content that's available in Apple Music, they're likely to be welcomed by most subscribers to the streaming service.
But...
Sources in Apple's Supply Chain Dismiss Reports of iPhone 12 Launch Delay
Taiwanese makers of iPhone-bound printed circuit boards (PCBs) have denied reports that Apple has asked them to postpone volume production of Apple's 2020 iPhone by two months, according to a DigiTimes paywalled article.
Taiwan's PCB makers in the supply chain of 5G iPhones have denied reports claiming they have been asked to postpone volume production by two months in line with a likely...
Rare Apple Sneakers Fetch Almost $10,000 at Auction [Updated]
A pair of rare classic Apple sneakers sold for $9,687.50 at auction this week, reports GQ.
Apple launched a fashion line in 1986, but these kicks were reportedly made as prototypes for Apple employees in the early 90s and never went on sale to the general public, making them an even more sought-after collectible today. Another pair fetched nearly $30,000 at auction in 2017, underlining just...
Apple Adds British Government Coronavirus PSA to UK App Store
U.K. iPhone and iPad users who open the App Store this morning are being met with a COVID-19 public service announcement from the British government, signaling an expansion of Apple's efforts to prominently display official coronavirus alerts on its devices.
Tapping on the prioritized card takes users to an NHS app link and a video containing coronavirus protection guidance from the UK...
Dell Mobile Connect App Update Allows Screen Mirroring of iPhones on Windows PCs
Dell this week updated its Mobile Connect iOS app with new features that offer seamless integration between Apple iPhones and Windows PCs, including wireless screen mirroring.
Version 3.0 of the app lets users control their phone with their PC's touchscreen, keyboard and mouse, which also enables drag and drop for photo and video files to transfer them between devices.
In addition to...
iPhone Production in India Suspended as Population of 1.3 Billion Begins 21-Day Lockdown
Apple's iPhone factories in India are closing temporarily, after the Indian government ordered the country's population of 1.3 billion people to stay at home for at least three weeks in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The factories in India have suspended production until at least April 14 following the nationwide lockdown ordered by President by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As...
