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
Apple Offering Discounts on HomePod to Apple Music Subscribers
Apple this morning began offering promo codes to Apple Music subscribers that allow them to buy a HomePod at a discounted price for a limited time, in a holiday-themed promotion.
As of writing, customers in the UK have received codes for £50 off a new HomePod, bringing the price down to £269, with the offer available until December 16.
The discount is being offered via an email from...
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iPhone Suppliers TSMC and Foxconn Report Strong November Revenue
Two of Apple's largest suppliers have reported healthy jumps in monthly revenue, suggesting fears of weak iPhone demand may be overblown (via Bloomberg).
Asian firms TSMC and Foxconn (Hon Hai) both posted a 5.6 percent rise in November sales, reversing a recent trend of Apple suppliers reducing production or revenue outlooks to reflect lowering demand for Apple's smartphones.
Foxconn...
DxOMark: iPhone XR is 'Best Single-Cam Smartphone We've Tested'
DxOMark today published the results of its in-depth analysis of the iPhone XR's single-lens rear camera. Apple's flagship smartphone achieved an overall score of 101 points, surpassing Google's Pixel 2 to make it the top-ranked single lens phone in the site's rankings.
In its testing, DxOMark found the iPhone XR to offer "a very similar proposition for image quality as the flagship iPhone...
O2 and Ericsson Apologize After 4G Service Outage Affects Millions of Smartphones
Cellular network operator O2 on Friday said its data networks had been restored after millions of smartphones across the UK and Japan were taken offline yesterday (via BBC).
A statement on its website said the 4G network was finally working again, after having been affected from about 05:30 GMT on Thursday.
Earlier, mobile network equipment supplier Ericsson said that an expired...
Australia Passes Controversial Encryption Bill Despite Opposition From Apple and Other Tech Companies
The Australian parliament on Thursday passed controversial encryption legislation that could result in tech companies being forced to give law enforcement access to encrypted customer messages.
As we reported in October, Apple opposed the legislation in a seven-page letter to the Australian parliament, calling the encryption bill "dangerously ambiguous" and wide open to potential abuse by...
How to Use Your iPad as a Second Screen for Your Mac
Duet Display is an app made by former Apple engineers that allows you to use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac. In this article, we'll explain how it works and the steps you need to follow to get things up and running.
Duet Display is a great way to extend your Mac's desktop and can come in especially handy when you're working away from home and want to broaden your productivity...
Tropico Coming to iPad December 18, iPhone Version Confirmed for Release Next Year
Feral today announced a December 18 release date for the iPad version of Tropico, the popular strategic island city builder and humorous dictator sim, and also confirmed that an iPhone version is forthcoming sometime in 2019.
Based on the acclaimed series originally published by Kalypso Media, Tropico for iPad has been redesigned and developed for mobile by Feral, and will be a premium game...
Next-Gen AirPods to Spark Intense Competition in Smart Earbuds Market Next Year
Continuing improvements to Apple's popular AirPods wireless earphones will trigger an intense round of ear-device innovation and competition in 2019 as tech companies look to other avenues for growth amid declining smartphone sales, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a research note published today and obtained by MacRumors, Kuo predicted that AirPods, which are the most...
How to Disable Autoplaying Videos in the YouTube App's Home Tab
Over the next few weeks, YouTube is rolling out a new feature for its mobile app called "Autoplay on Home," which automatically plays videos that appear on your Home tab. As you scroll through your Home feed, videos will begin to play on mute with captions auto-enabled.
Google claims the previously Premium-only feature is a better way to experience new content on the go, and will help you...
How to Wake Up to a Weather Forecast on Your iPhone's Lock Screen
In iOS 12, Apple has included a somewhat hidden feature that lets you see the day's weather forecast on your iPhone's Lock Screen when you check it for the first time after waking up.
The feature is part of Apple's Do Not Disturb at Bedtime mode, which prevents notifications from being displayed on your iPhone's Lock Screen when you're supposed to be sleeping.
Many users don't realize...
Apple to Wait Until at Least 2020 to Release 5G iPhones
Apple won't release an iPhone that can connect to 5G data networks until at least 2020, claims a new report out today.
According to Bloomberg's sources, Apple is planning to delay its support for the next generation of high-speed mobile services coming in 2019, just as it did for previous generations.
As with 3G and 4G, the two previous generations of mobile technology, Apple will wait as...
Reddit Client 'Apollo' Updated With Quick Switch Account Feature, Enhanced Subreddit Options, and More
Former Apple intern Christian Selig has released version 1.4 of Apollo, the popular Reddit client developed with Apple's iOS design guidelines in mind. The latest update introduces a raft of highly requested features, including quick switching accounts and new subreddit preferences to add to its existing plethora of options.
For those who like to access multiple Reddit accounts through the...
Instagram Launches 'Close Friends' List for Sharing Stories
Instagram today announced the launch of a new Stories feature called "Close Friends" that allows you to share stories with a select group of people rather than all your followers.
Starting today, you can make a close friends list on Stories and share with just the people you've added. Instagram Stories has become the place to express yourself and share everyday moments, but our community has...
How to Get Unique Alerts for VIP Emails Received on Your Mac
In the last installment of our regular how-to series, we showed how you can set up an iOS device to get unique alerts when emails are received from your VIP contacts. In this article, we're going to show you how to do the same thing on your Mac.
In the native Mail application in macOS, the standard way of ensuring you receive new message notifications from VIPs is to go into Mail's Preferences ...
Portrait Camera App 'Focos' Gains New iPad Interface With Apple Pencil and 2018 iPad Pro Support
Portrait Mode photo editor Focos received an update today that should pique the interest of iPad owners. We've highlighted the iPhone app in the past for its impressive granular aperture and bokeh adjustment tools, but the latest version builds on the existing feature set by adding more extensive support for iPads.
With this latest 1.6 update, Focos brings a new, specially designed interface ...
Apple Maps Now Provides Transit Directions Across Belgium
Following yesterday's Apple Pay launch in Belgium, Apple today updated its Maps app to include transit information across the country.
Apple has yet to update its official list of locations for which Maps offers Transit data, but several tipsters contacted MacRumors to confirm the information is already live.
The coverage includes train, tram, and bus routes in the main cities as well...
How to Receive Unique Alerts for VIP Emails on iPhone and iPad
If you use the VIP feature in the iOS Mail app then you'll already know how they can help you keep track of important messages from your key contacts amid the daily torrent of incoming emails.
Keeping on top of VIP emails can be made even easier by ensuring you receive a specific sound or vibration alert whenever one comes through on your iPhone or iPad. That way you'll know if a new message...
How to Manage File Associations in macOS
In macOS, the Open With contextual menu that appears when you right-click (or Ctrl-click) on a file provides links to all the applications installed on your Mac that are associated with that file type.
At the top of the list is the default app that macOS launches whenever you double-click on files that share the same suffix or extension, with other apps associated with the file type below...
Apple Pay Launches in Belgium and Kazakhstan
As expected, Apple Pay launched in Belgium today, allowing bank card users in the country to take advantage of the contactless mobile payment system if their card issuer supports it.
In this case, the region's Apple Pay launch has taken the form of an exclusive partnership with BNP Paribas Fortis and its subsidiary brands Fintro and Hello Bank.
It's possible that other banks in Belgium...
Apple Reportedly Plans to Cut Price of iPhone XR in Japan Due to Poor Sales and Restart iPhone X Production
Apple plans to discount the price of iPhone XR models in Japan by offering subsidies to Japanese carriers, according to a new report out this morning.
The Wall Street Journal said the price decreases on the $750 iPhone models could come as early as next week, citing sources familiar with Apple's sales strategy in the region.
"A price cut within a month off the release is rare not just for...
