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
How to Call Someone and Put Them on Speaker Without Picking up Your iPhone
Next time you find yourself with your hands full and you want to make a call on your iPhone – or even if you're in bed and your phone's just out of reach – don't forget that you can get Siri to start a speakerphone call for you, handsfree.
All you need to do beforehand is make sure that your iPhone is set up to listen for the "Hey Siri" voice command. You can check this by following the ...
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Google Assistant iOS App Gains Support for Siri Shortcuts
Google has updated its Assistant app for iOS to support Siri Shortcuts, enabling users to invoke Google's virtual assistant using Apple's virtual assistant, without even having to launch the app.
Once the update has been installed, Assistant users are presented with an "Add to Siri" button that lets them record a phrase of their choosing to be used after saying the "Hey, Siri" command. As...
How to Use the Magnifier Feature on iPhone and iPad
Apple includes an accessibility feature in iOS that's useful if you have a visual impairment, but can even come in handy if your eyes are simply tired or you're struggling to read something like small print, especially in poor light.
It's called the Magnifier, and has several advantages over just opening up the camera app and zooming in to get a better look at something.
Enabling it is ...
How to Use Your Mac's Media Keys to Adjust Speaker Volume on a DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt Monitor
If you connect your Mac to an external display, you may find that the Mac's on-screen and keyboard volume controls are disabled. That's because HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt connections carry a fixed volume digital audio signal, so the external device (in this case, a monitor) controls the sound level.
This can be frustrating if the volume controls on your external display are...
Tumblr Removed From App Store Over Failure to Filter Out Child Pornography
Apple removed Tumblr from the iOS App Store late last week because the Yahoo-owned social network failed to filter prohibited content, it emerged today.
The Tumblr app for iPhone and iPad went missing from the App Store on Friday, November 16. Shortly afterwards, Tumblr announced that it was "working to resolve an issue" with the app, but stopped short of explaining the problem.
It wasn't ...
Tim Cook Discusses Apple's Google Search Engine Deal, User Privacy, and 'Inevitable' Tech Regulation
Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on HBO on Sunday in a pre-recorded interview with Axios, in which he discussed several issues including Apple's relationship with Google and the need for privacy regulations in the technology sector.
During the interview, which was conducted at Apple Park, Cook emphasized user privacy as a "core value" of Apple's that reaches way back to before smartphones had...
How to Rebuild the Spotlight Index on Your Mac
Apple has enhanced Spotlight search in macOS in recent years, with the addition of Spotlight Suggestions allowing it to tap into a variety of online data sources like weather and sports. Nevertheless, helping you find apps, documents and other files stored on your Mac is still what Spotlight does best.
That's not to say its core function is infallible, however. If Spotlight can't find files...
Walmart Overtakes Apple to Become Third Largest Online Retailer in U.S.
Apple has ceded its position to Walmart as the third largest online retailer in the U.S., according to a new report out this week (via TechCrunch).
Research provider eMarketer Retail calculates that Walmart is set to capture 4 percent of all online retail spending in 2018, up from 3.3 percent the previous year, while Apple will claim a 3.9 percent share, up from 3.8 percent in 2017....
Twitter App's Explore Tab Begins Sorting Trending Tweets by Topic in the U.S.
Twitter has changed the way the Explore tab works in its official iOS app, with entries now organized based on topic and divided up into separate navigable sections.
Twitter says the update should make exploring the platform easier than ever, with users able to find trending tweets on specific topics by tapping the designated tabs for news, sports, fun, and entertainment.
Starting today in ...
Apple Previews New Champs-Élysées Store in Paris, Opening This Sunday
Apple today officially announced its latest retail store, Apple Champs-Élysées in Paris, located on one of the French city's most iconic streets. The store opens on Sunday and will replace the nearby Apple Carrousel du Louvre, which permanently closed in October.
The store occupies a Haussmann-era apartment building, featuring what Apple is calling its "grandest" Forum dedicated to free...
Google Maps Gains Messaging Feature for Users to Chat With Local Businesses
A new feature rolling out for Google Maps will allow iOS and Android users to message local businesses with their queries without having to leave the GPS-based navigation app.
The feature is an extension of Google's real-time business-to-customer messaging service that the company introduced in select countries last year.
Businesses that signed up to the service include a Message button on ...
How to Customize File and Folder Icons on Your Mac
This article shows you how to change the icon of any file or folder on your Mac. Apart from adding a bit of personal style to your desktop, there are good practical reasons why you might want to do so.
For example, perhaps you've dragged some folders to your Dock so that you can easily drop items into them, but you don't want to have to keep hovering your mouse over their generic blue icons ...
Withings Announces 'Pulse HR' Fitness Tracker With 20-Day Battery Life
Withings today announced the Pulse HR, the first all-new addition to its health and fitness tracker range since the French company relaunched two months ago.
Reviving the classic design of Withings Pulse – the first tracker Withings ever launched in 2013 – Pulse HR matches an OLED display in stainless steel casing with a silicone wristband that comes in several optional colors....
Follow-up to Shuttered Video Sharing Platform 'Vine' Coming Spring 2019
The follow-up to discontinued six-second video sharing app Vine is coming online early next year, according to the original co-founder.
Dom Hoffman announced the Vine 2 project back in November 2017, but in a May update said that it had been postponed for an "indefinite amount of time," citing legal and financial reasons.
our new looping video app is called byte. launching spring 2019 pic.tw ...
How to Deauthorize Your iTunes Account on a Computer You Can No Longer Access
If you plan to give away, sell or trade in your Mac, you should de-authorize your iTunes account on the computer first, as this removes its access to content that you bought from the iTunes Store, iBooks Store, or App Store, including things like music, movies, TV shows, apps, and books.
Apple puts a five-computer limit on an account for accessing iTunes protected content, so it's worth...
Enthusiasts Detail RAM Upgrade Process for the 2018 Mac mini
RAM replacement guides for the new 2018 Mac mini have appeared online, detailing what's involved if users choose to go against Apple's advice and upgrade the removable memory modules themselves.
Apple's official line is that it doesn't consider the new Space Gray Mac mini to be user-configurable, therefore the company recommends that later memory upgrades be performed by a certified Apple...
Apple Shares New Photos of Its First Thai Retail Store, Opening Saturday in Bangkok
Apple has shared new photos of Apple Iconsiam, its first retail store in Thailand, due to open in Bangkok on the shores of the Chao Phraya on Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m. local time.
Sitting alongside storied sites and cultural landmarks, the store connects the new mixed-use Iconsiam Center to an outdoor roof terrace. Apple says the clean, trapezoidal lines and glass surfaces were...
How to Get Siri to Play a Daily News Digest
If you own an Alexa smart device, you'll likely have used the "What's new?" or "What's happening?" voice command to hear your daily news briefing, which can be customized to include your own interests.
Siri has a similar feature that uses the Podcasts app to bring you a daily news digest, which you can also customize to an extent. It can be invoked on HomePod, Apple Watch, and any iPhone or ...
LG Display to Supply Apple With 400,000 OLED iPhone Panels By End of Year
Apple has contracted LG Display to begin production of OLED panels for iPhones. According to ETNews, the display panels will be produced at LG's E6 production line in Paju, with shipping to begin next month.
LG will supply approximately 400,000 OLED panels to Apple before the end of the year, with the cost of each unit expected to be around $90.
In September it was reported that LG's...
How to Let a Contact Bypass iOS 12's Do Not Disturb Mode Without Adding Them to Your Favorites List
In iOS 12, Do Not Disturb mode conveniently allows you to silence all calls, alerts, and notifications on iPhone or iPad for a given period and reduce the potential for unnecessary distractions.
Aside from new time-limited options in iOS 12's Control Center, Do Not Disturb can be turned on and scheduled ahead of time by going to Settings -> Do Not Disturb. Among these settings, there's also...
