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 Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection on AirPods and AirPods Pro
Apple's AirPods and AirPods 2 include a feature called Automatic Ear Detection that allows the audio routed from a connected device to seamlessly switch to the AirPods the moment you put them in your ears.
This means the AirPods can automatically pause the audio track when you remove them, and resume playback when you put them back in again, ensuring you won't miss a thing.
The feature...
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How to Change the Name of Your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
Once you've successfully paired new AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max to an iPhone or iPad, they'll be given the default name "[Your Name]'s AirPods." If you want, you can change this name by following the simple steps below.
How to Change the Name of AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max on iPhone and iPadOn your iOS device, launch the Settings app.
Tap the name of your connected...
AirPods 2 With Grip Coating and AirPower Said to Launch This Spring
Apple's forthcoming second-generation AirPods will feature a new design and improved audio performance, while its AirPower wireless charging pad will launch in the Spring, a new report claims today.
Rumor site MySmartPrice said one of its "trusted sources" claims the AirPods 2, tipped for release this year, will offer better bass response thanks to improved internals, and both the earbuds...
How to Switch Devices When Using AirPods
Once you pair your AirPods or AirPods 2 to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple TV, the wireless earphones will attempt to connect to that device again the next time you use them.
Some Bluetooth headphones are capable of switching automatically between multiple paired devices depending on which one is playing audio. However, AirPods will only perform this function between your iPhone...
Google Researchers Say Hackers Exploited Two Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Patched in Apple's iOS 12.1.4 Update
Two vulnerabilities that Apple patched in its latest iOS 12.1.4 update were successfully exploited by hackers before they were known to Apple, according to a top Google security engineer.
Ben Hawkes, team leader at Google's Project Zero security research group, revealed in a tweet that vulnerabilities identified as CVE-2019-7286 and CVE-2019-7287 in Apple's iOS 12.1.4 security change log had...
Popular Weather App 'Dark Sky' Gains Dark Mode
Dark Sky has gained an optional Dark Mode in the latest version of the hyperlocal weather app for iOS.
The update means users can check weather information in the app with white text on a dark background, a new design that's supposed to be easier on the eyes in dimly lit environments.
In addition, Dark Sky v6.2 also gains an optional Daylight mode that automatically enables the black...
Skype Gains Background Blurring Feature
Skype is getting a new screen-blurring feature this week. Users of Microsoft's video and voice calling service can now choose to blur the background on video calls if the scene behind them is something they'd rather not share.
The idea behind the feature is to save the user's blushes because of the messy room they're skyping from, or to obscure a business plan on a whiteboard behind them, for...
How to Charge AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
New Apple AirPods usually come fully charged out of the box, offering around five hours of listening time and two hours of talk time (or in the case of AirPods 2, up to three hours of talk time) before you have to charge them again. New AirPods Pro earbuds can get up to 4.5 hours of listening time or up to 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
There are several ways you can manually...
Apple Lists New 'Neymar Jr. Custom Edition' Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
Apple has added a listing for a new custom-designed pair of Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones that celebrate the 27th birthday of Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr.
The Neymar Jr. Custom Edition headphones feature graffiti-style decals over the outside of the ear cups and headband that hark back to the soccer player's childhood roots in the streets of São Paulo and pay homage to his famous...
Apple Pay Expands to BNP Paribas and HSBC Banks in France
Apple Pay adoption received a big boost in France today as two major banks officially announced their support for Apple's mobile payment system.
HSBC officially launched a dedicated support page for Apple Pay, confirming an earlier discovery by French tech news site iphon.fr.
Meanwhile, BNP Paribas made good on an announcement last month to bring Apple Pay support to its customers by anno...
Apple Reaches Deal With France to Pay Estimated $571M in Back-Taxes
Apple has reached a deal with French authorities to pay an undeclared amount of back-dated tax, according to multiple reports today.
Apple's French division confirmed the tax payment agreement to Reuters, but didn't disclose how much it had agreed to pay, although French media suggest the sum is around 500 million euros ($571 million).
"As a multinational company, Apple is regularly...
Apple Supplier of iPhone 3D Optical Sensors Warns of Weak First Quarter Outlook, Skips Dividend
The Austrian firm that supplies Apple with optical sensors for 3D facial recognition features in iPhones expects revenue to fall in the first quarter of 2019 (via Reuters).
Sensor specialist AMS said its adjusted operating profit fell more than half in the fourth quarter of 2018 and it would not pay out a dividend because of slow demand from a "major customer" and restructuring costs.
AMS ...
Anker Opens Pre-Orders for First MFi Lightning to USB-C cable, Shipping February 20
Mobile accessory maker Anker has opened pre-orders for the first Apple-certified USB-C to Lightning cable under the Made for iPhone (MFi) program, and will start shipping the cables later this month.
Apple late last year began allowing third-party companies to produce MFi certified USB-C to Lightning cables, and as a result, multiple companies have announced the upcoming launch of new USB-C...
Apple Exploring New Glass Panel MacBook Keyboards That Could End Sticky Key Problems
Apple is exploring a new keyboard design that could eventually replace its butterfly switch MacBook keyboards and finally solve the problem of "sticky" or inconsistently functioning keys.
Issues that Apple has acknowledged can occur with some current MacBook keyboards are widely believed to be caused by dust or other particulates getting lodged in the butterfly mechanism underneath the...
WhatsApp for iPhone Now Lets You Lock App With Face ID or Touch ID
WhatsApp has enabled a new Face ID authentication option for iPhones that support the feature, in the latest update to the messenger app (via WABetaInfo).
The Facebook-owned platform has been testing the feature for iPhone X and newer devices in its TestFlight beta releases for some weeks now, but version 2.19.20 of WhatsApp, now on the App Store, makes Face ID available for all users with...
'Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition' Now Available on Mac
Highly anticipated role-playing title Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition got its official release on Mac today, exactly three months since Apple teased the game at its October 2018 Keynote event.
Developed in partnership with Mac porting studio Elverils and Apple's Metal engineering team, the acclaimed RPG from Larian Studios includes all the content from the PC version, along...
'Rome: Total War' iOS Update Brings New Playable Factions and Game Features
Feral has pushed out an update to ROME: Total War that brings some welcome enhancements to the acclaimed strategy game on iOS.
First up, v1.10 adds eight more playable factions to the war theater, significantly increasing the strategy options available in the game.
Using the new Unlock All Factions option in the settings screen, players are now free to choose from up to 19 factions,...
Nintendo Delays Launch of 'Mario Kart Tour' Mobile Game Until Summer
Nintendo has announced that its upcoming Mario Kart Tour game for iOS devices won't be ready until the summer (via The Verge).
The news came in Nintendo's quarterly earnings report released today, exactly a year since the company first revealed it was bringing the game to smartphones.
Little is known about Mario Kart Tour, but the game was originally scheduled for launch before the...
Samsung Begins Mass Production of 1TB Flash Storage Chip Suitable for iPhones
Samsung has started developing what ">it says is the first one terabyte embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS) storage chip, powered by the company's fifth-generation V-NAND.
Most Android phones include a microSD slot that lets owners upgrade the internal capacity of their device, but the new 1TB chip will offer storage capacity levels comparable to notebooks without the need for additional...
Facebook to Shut Down Controversial iOS Market Research App as Apple Revokes Certificate [Updated]
Facebook has said it will end a controversial market research program in which the company paid users to install a mobile app that tracked their activity and data.
In a statement given to TechCrunch and other websites, the company said that its "Facebook Research" app, which paid volunteers between the ages of 13 and 35 up to $20 a month to access nearly all their data, would no longer be...
