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
The EU Wants All Phones to Work With Interoperable Chargers, Here’s What That Means for Apple's Lightning Port
Despite pushback from Apple, the European Parliament in January voted overwhelmingly for new rules to establish a common charging standard for mobile device makers across the European Union. This article explores what form the EU laws might ultimately take and how they could affect Apple device users in Europe and elsewhere.
What Exactly is the EU Calling For?
To reduce cost, electronic...
Read Full Article • 506 comments
Google Testing New Double-Tap Gesture on Back of Pixel Phones for Launching Camera, Assistant, and More
Google is reportedly testing an interesting new gesture for its Pixel smartphones that lets users double-tap the back of the handset to control various functions.
XDA-Developers discovered the new gesture system, codenamed "Columbus," in the Android 11 developer preview for Pixel phones. According to the site, the double-tap gesture can be used to perform the following actions:
Dismiss...
WhatsApp's Dark Mode for iPhone Inches Closer to Release, Requires iOS 13
WhatsApp's Dark Mode for iOS got one step closer today, with the long-awaited feature rolling out to all beta users on TestFlight. Gleaning details from the latest 2.20.30.25 build, WABetaInfo has provided a few more nuggets on what iPhone users can expect.
First off, the new Dark Theme is a better one than the previous version WhatsApp was working on, with no battery drain and support for...
YouTube Music Readies Free Upload Feature, Google Play Music Migration Service Coming
YouTube Music appears to be readying a feature that proved a big draw for Google Play Music fans – the ability to upload your own music collection to the cloud. Google has published a new support document explaining how music uploads will work in YouTube Music.
If you're on a computer you'll be able to add your personal music library either by dragging files to any surface on music.youtube.c...
Bloomberg: Apple May Let iOS Users Set Third-Party Web Browser and Mail Apps as Defaults Over Stock Apps
Apple is considering whether to let iPhone and iPad users set third-party mail and browser apps as defaults instead of the mobile operating system's preference for its own Safari and Mail stock apps. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman:
The technology giant is discussing whether to let users choose third-party web browser and mail applications as their default options on Apple’s mobile devices,...
Report Suggests Apple to Release GaN USB-C Charger With 65W Fast-Charge This Year
Apple is among a number of tech companies with plans to release a GaN-based power adapter this year, claims a new report out today. According to IT Home (via Gizchina), Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, Oppo, and Apple all have plans for the Gallium Nitride technology, which can provide fast charging solutions through a USB-C interface and support fast-charging up to 65 Watts.
Choetech GaN charger Accor...
Fitbit's Blood Oxygen Monitoring Feature Now Available in More Countries
Google-owned Fitbit is activating blood oxygen monitoring (sp02) in more countries, following the feature's U.S. launch for some of its smartwatches and fitness trackers last month. Now the company has released it for users in the U.K., Canada, and possibly other countries, with blood oxygen saturation data appearing in the Fitbit app.
Tech blog Tizenhelp.com confirmed the feature's...
10 More Apple Stores Reopen Across China, Other Stores Outside of Beijing Remain Closed
Apple has updated its website to indicate that it will reopen 10 more stores across China, following closures due to the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan.
The stores, listed below, will reopen on February 19 for limited business hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time until further notice, as noted by iMore.
Chengdu
Apple Chengdu Vientiane City
Apple...
Alto's Odyssey Now Available on macOS
The popular endless runner game for iOS, Alto's Odyssey, is now available on macOS computers via the Mac App Store.
Originally set to debut in summer 2017, Alto's Odyssey is the followup to the original 2015 game Alto's Adventure and while it's a standalone game, it retains the endless runner mechanic that the original was known for while introducing new features, controls, and a new desert ...
Bose Begins Rollout of AirPlay 2 Support to SoundTouch Speakers and More
As promised, Bose has begun rolling out a firmware update providing AirPlay 2 support for its range of Bose SoundTouch speakers.
Firmware update 24.0.7 works with the following models:SoundTouch 10
SoundTouch 20 series III
SoundTouch 30 series III
SoundTouch SA-5 amplifier
Wave SoundTouch music system IV
SoundTouch 300 wireless sound bar system
Lifestyle 550 home entertainment system
L...
Warren Buffett Sold Off $800 Million of AAPL Stock Last Quarter
Berkshire Hathaway sold $800 million in Apple stock over the last quarter, according to SEC filings published on Friday. Depending on when Warren Buffett's real estate company sold the 3.7 million Apple stock, it will have earned between $806 million and nearly $1.1 billion.
According to Business Insider, what might look like a massive sale is actually only a small portion of Buffett's...
Bloomberg: 'iPhone SE 2' Launch Still on Course for March Despite Coronavirus Outbreak, New iPad Pro Models in First Half of 2020
Bloomberg this morning reports that Apple's new low-cost iPhone is still on course for launch next month, despite the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on production, although new iPad Pro models originally scheduled for the first half of 2020 could yet face delays or constraints.
Image via @Onleaks The [low-cost iPhone] is still on track to launch in March, though the plans are still fluid,...
Apple Maps Transit Directions Go Live in Various EU Countries
Over the last 48 hours, Apple Maps has expanded its transit directions coverage across Europe. Using the app, travelers in cities across France, Germany, Spain, and possibly other countries in the EU are now able to access departure times and transit routes for various modes of public transport including buses, trams, metro trains, and more.
Screenshot credit: @guillamet
Apple has yet to...
Gmail for iOS Gaining Integration With Apple's Files App for Adding Attachments
Google is rolling out an update to its Gmail app for iOS devices so that users can upload attachments from Apple's native Files app.
When the new feature becomes available, tap the paperclip icon when you're composing or replying to a message in the Gmail app. This will bring up a sheet with carousels for "Camera roll" and "Attachments" (formerly named "Recent attachments").
This new...
Feral Releases Critically Acclaimed RTS Game 'Company of Heroes' on iPad
Feral Interactive today announced the release of World War II real-time strategy game Company of Heroes on iPad.
Originally developed for Windows by Relic Entertainment, the critically-acclaimed RTS has been specially designed and developed for the iPad by Feral, and on first look the results are very impressive.
Command two crack companies of American soldiers and direct an intense...
Strava for iOS Gains HealthKit Integration for Importing Apple Watch Workouts
Strava for iOS was today updated with improved HealthKit integration, allowing users to import Apple Watch workouts into the Strava app.
Prior to today's update, Strava users had to rely on third-party solutions like the Healthfit app to share workouts between the Apple's Health records and Strava. Now they can import workouts recorded on iPhone or Apple Watch directly into the app.
To...
Foxconn Aims to Reopen Half of Assembly Plants in China by End of February
Reuters reports that Apple's main iPhone assembler Foxconn aims to reopen half of its manufacturing facilities in China by the end of February. The move would allow production lines to be phased back into action following the extensive lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Taiwan's Foxconn hopes to resume half of its production in China by month-end, a source told Reuters on...
Samsung's Answer to AirDrop Finally Arrives With the Galaxy S20
Last month we reported that Samsung was working on its own AirDrop killer for Galaxy devices, called Quick Share. On Tuesday, the Korean company unveiled its new trio of Galaxy S20 phones, and we finally got a better idea of what the local file-sharing feature can do.
On the face of it, Quick Share works just like Apple's AirDrop, in that if you're near another user with a supported device,...
Apple Pay Could Account for 10 Percent of Global Card Transactions by 2025 and Even Rival PayPal
Apple Pay could account for 10 percent of global card transactions by 2025 and pose a serious challenge to rivals like PayPal, according to recent trend data compiled by research firm Bernstein.
Drawing from the data, Quartz reports that Apple Pay currently accounts for about 5 percent of global transactions. If that growth trend continues, it may well become a long-term competitive threat...
Apple Expected to Sell More Than 100 Million True Wireless Hearables in 2020
Apple is predicted to sell more than 100 million true wireless hearables in 2020 as it continues to dominate the global market, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.
In a report published today, Counterpoint said the global market size for true wireless hearables had beat expectations, growing 53 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to the same quarter the year...
