Articles on MacRumors by Tim Hardwick
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Tim Hardwick

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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.

Tim Hardwick's Articles

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Foxconn Warns Staff to Keep Away From Shenzhen iPhone Plant as Virus Prevention Efforts Continue

Friday February 7, 2020 2:44 am PST by
Apple's main iPhone assembler Foxconn has told employees not to return to work at its Shenzhen facility in China when the extended Lunar New Year break ends on February 10, according to a memo obtained by Bloomberg. "To safeguard everyone's health and safety and comply with government virus prevention measures, we urge you not to return to Shenzhen," Foxconn wrote in a text message sent to...
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Dark Mode Appears in Latest WhatsApp Beta for iPhone

Friday February 7, 2020 12:47 am PST by
Dark Mode is coming to WhatsApp for iOS soon. Users participating in the app's TestFlight beta program have spotted the setting in the latest testing notes, confirming that the feature is finally coming to iPhone. The setting first appeared in a recent WhatsApp for Android beta build, which is a good indication of what users on iOS can expect down the pipe. The latest Android beta also...
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Latest Twitter for iPad Update Adds Option to Disable Multi-Column View

Thursday February 6, 2020 3:26 am PST by
Twitter has updated its official iPad app, introducing a change to the main interface that many users will welcome. Twitter for ‌iPad‌ with multi-column view disabled (right) The last major update to Twitter for ‌iPad‌ attempted to make better use of the iOS device's larger screen by introducing a multi-column view that placed the timeline on the left and the search bar with trending topics on...
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Google Maps Gains New Navigation System, Crowd-Sourced Transit Info, and More

Thursday February 6, 2020 2:56 am PST by
This week marks 15 years since Google Maps first launched, and Google is celebrating with some notable new features and updates for the mapping service app on iOS and Android. The five tabs on the new Google Maps navigation screen Starting today, the Google Maps will feature a new navigation system across the bottom of the interface including five icons, two of which are completely new:...
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Health Records Firm Epic and About 60 Client Hospitals Object to Data Sharing Rules Supported by Apple

Thursday February 6, 2020 2:23 am PST by
Health records firm Epic Systems and some 60 client hospitals are objecting to a proposed U.S. government policy that would make it easier for patients to share medical records data with apps, an initiative supported by Apple and other tech companies (via CNBC). Proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2019, the modified data sharing rules would allow patients to...
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Security Researchers Expose Vulnerability in Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

Wednesday February 5, 2020 3:39 am PST by
A new vulnerability has been discovered in the Philips Hue smart lighting system that could let hackers gain access to the local host network and other devices connected to it. Discovered by Check Point Research and demonstrated in a video, the flaw relates to the Zigbee communication protocol used by Philips Hue bulbs and a number of other smart home devices, including Amazon's Ring,...
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Foxconn Cuts Revenue Outlook Following Coronavirus Outbreak

Wednesday February 5, 2020 2:45 am PST by
Apple's primary iPhone assembler Foxconn has slashed its 2020 revenue outlook after strict quarantines at its main base in China to guard against the coronavirus outbreak (via Bloomberg). The company is now projecting a sales increase of 1% to 3% this year, Chairman Young Liu told Bloomberg News in a text message. That’s down from a Jan. 22 forecast of 3% to 5%, before the epidemic spread...
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Apple App Store Preview Confirms Existence of Samsung's Rumored Galaxy Buds+ With Official iPhone Support

Wednesday February 5, 2020 1:53 am PST by
Apple last night unwittingly confirmed the existence of Samsung's upcoming next-generation Galaxy Buds+, which are set to compete directly with Apple's own AirPods Pro wireless earphones. Confirmation came via an App Store preview of the wireless earphones' iOS app, first spotted by CNET, indicating that the Galaxy Buds+ will be officially compatible with iPhone 7 and newer devices running...
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Apple Was the Fastest Growing Premium Smartphone Brand of 2019 in India

Wednesday February 5, 2020 12:34 am PST by
Apple was the fastest growing premium smartphone brand in India last year with 41 percent annual growth, according to new data gathered by Counterpoint Research. Premium smartphone shipments in the country reached a record high in 2019, increasing by 29 percent year over year. The growth is said to have been driven by affordable premium smartphones, aggressive offers like significant price...
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Apple Suppliers in China Aim to Resume Full Production by February 10 Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

Tuesday February 4, 2020 2:48 am PST by
Apple suppliers in China including Foxconn plan to resume full-scale production by February 10, despite the coronavirus outbreak in the country, reports Bloomberg. Foxconn's Hon Hai, the most important manufacturer for the U.S. company, said Tuesday it still expects to be able to restart facilities throughout China on schedule, according to a text message sent to Bloomberg News. Suppliers such ...
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Google Admits Some Private Videos in Google Photos Were Sent to Strangers

Tuesday February 4, 2020 2:19 am PST by
Google has emailed some users of Google Photos to inform them that some of their private videos were accidentally sent to strangers, reports 9to5Google. The "technical issue" is said to have affected people who used the Google Takeout service to download their data between November 21 and November 25 last year. The problem resulted in a small number of users receiving videos in their archive...
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Strong 10.2-inch iPad Sales Extended Apple's Global Market Lead, According to IDC

Tuesday February 4, 2020 1:41 am PST by
Apple increased its worldwide tablet market share by 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019, thanks to strong demand for its new 10.2-inch iPad, according to the latest data compiled by research firm IDC. Apple's 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ (second from right) starting at $329 Apple's seventh-generation ‌iPad‌, introduced in September 2019 as an affordable entry-level tablet for consumers and educational ...
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Apple in Talks With Banks to Bring Apple Pay to Israel

Tuesday February 4, 2020 12:37 am PST by
Apple is in negotiations with financial institutions in the Middle East to bring Apple Pay to Israel, reports the regional Calcalist website. According to the Hebrew-language publication, Apple representatives recently began a round of meetings with banks and credit card companies to formulate agreements to bring ‌Apple Pay‌ to the country. The report notes that many Israeli businesses...
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How to Download Large Apps Over Cellular on iPhone and iPad

Monday February 3, 2020 10:56 am PST by
Apple used to limit the size of App Store downloads over cellular to 150MBs to prevent iPhone users from accidentally downloading a large app over 3G or 4G networks and using up all their data allowance or running up data charges. In May 2019, Apple upped the limit of over-the-air downloads to 200MB, but offered no way to opt out of the limit at the time, leaving users with unlimited data...
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How to Remove the SIM Card From an iPhone or Cellular iPad

Monday February 3, 2020 10:54 am PST by
All iPhones and iPads with cellular have a slot on their sides that houses the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card provided by your mobile carrier. The SIM card enables your device to access the carrier's network and use voice and data services. If you plan to switch mobile network carriers or have upgraded to a new iPhone, you'll need to remove the SIM card. Keep reading to learn how. What...
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How To Eject Water From Your Apple Watch Using the Water Lock Feature

Monday February 3, 2020 2:00 am PST by
Apple Watch Series 2 and newer models are water resistant and can be worn for shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean, but that doesn't mean water can't get inside. If your Apple Watch gets wet in the rain or after a swim or a heavy workout, its speaker may sound muffled. There's no need to insert anything into the openings though, and you don't need to shake your watch to ...
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Alleged Leaked Video Shows Samsung 'Galaxy Z Flip' in Action

Monday February 3, 2020 1:01 am PST by
An allegedly leaked video showing Samsung's upcoming "Galaxy Z Flip" has been shared online, offering a hands-on preview of what the company's second attempt at a folding phone will look like. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip - First Hands On Video pic.twitter.com/4b8Uzt5kRB— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) February 2, 2020 Shared on Twitter by mobile leaker Ben Geskin, the short clip shows the clamshell-like...
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Wistron to Assemble Key iPhone Component in India, Saving Apple From Major Hike in Import Duties

Sunday February 2, 2020 11:51 pm PST by
Wistron's new plant in India plans to begin assembling printed circuit boards (PCBs) for iPhones, a first for the Taiwanese contract manufacturer that will save Apple having to pay import taxes on the vital smartphone component. Reuters reports that the PCB assembly will take place in Wistron's new iPhone plant, which is about 40 miles outside of Bengaluru, when it becomes operational by...
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Apple Arcade Game Characters Let Loose on Apple's Website in Playful Promotion

Sunday February 2, 2020 6:59 am PST by
Browse Apple's US website today and you may be surprised to see your favorite video game character drop in and make an unexpected appearance. Characters including the likes of Sonic, Frogger, and little LEGO people have invaded Apple's homepage to promote Apple Arcade, the company's subscription gaming service. Launched in September 2019, ‌Apple Arcade‌ is a premium subscription service...
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Apple Close to Deal for Comedy Show Starring Saturday Night Live's Cecily Strong

Friday January 31, 2020 3:21 am PST by
Apple is closing in on a series order for a musical comedy starring "Saturday Night Live" cast member Cecily Strong, reports Deadline. Photo by Marion Curtis/StarPix/Shutterstock Written by Despicable Me duo Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the as-yet untitled comedy series follows a couple on a backpacking trip designed to reinvigorate their relationship when they discover the magical town of...