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
Google Maps Gains Local Guides Widget and Transit Transfer Reminders
Google Maps received an update on Wednesday that makes it easier to contribute reviews to points of interest and adds the option to get reminders to make a transfer on a transit journey.
The user contribution aspect comes in the form of a new "Local Guides" widget that allows users to propose new places to visit, to comment on existing points of interest, and upload location photos.
The...
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Three Apple Developers Join WebVR Community Group
Three Apple developers yesterday joined an open community initiative that aims to make virtual reality content viewable regardless of device or browser. As reported by UploadVR, the staff added their names to the WebVR Community Group members list on Wednesday, in what looks like a continuation of the company's recent major push into VR.
Apple's senior front-end developer Brandel Zachernuk,...
In-Cabin Laptop Ban Lifted on U.S.-Bound Flights From Dubai and Istanbul
The U.S. government has lifted the in-cabin ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on inbound flights from Dubai and Istanbul, according to Emirates and Turkish Airlines.
An Emirates spokesperson told Reuters on Wednesday that the ban was lifted for flights out of Dubai after the airline adopted new security measures announced last week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security....
First Person Shooter 'Shadow Warrior Classic' is a Free Download for Mac
Classic first person shooter Shadow Warrior is available as a free download for Mac over on GOG and Steam this morning. The 1997 PC game garnered fans for its wacky humor, multi-function weaponry, and destructible environment, being based on the Build platform that powered Duke Nukem 3D.
Shadow Warrior was an ambitious game for its time, containing many features not seen until later...
Australian Consumer Watchdog to Question Apple Over Westpac Chat App Payments Ban
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking clarification from Apple over its decision to ban an app extension that lets Westpac bank customers use social media and mobile messaging platforms to make payments.
Known as Westpac Keyboard, the feature was announced in March and let the bank's customers change the default keyboard in social messaging apps such as Facebook ...
Samsung is Developing a Smart Speaker Using 'Bixby' Virtual Assistant
Samsung is developing a voice-activated smart speaker to rival the likes of the Amazon Echo and Apple's forthcoming HomePod, according to a report published on Tuesday.
The project, internally codenamed "Vega", will be based on Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant, but many of the speaker's features and specifications have yet to be decided, according to sources who spoke to The Wall Street...
Popular Mobile VPN Services Shut Down in China
A popular virtual private network service has been forced to close in China on orders from the government, it emerged on Monday. Bloomberg reported that GreenVPN sent a notice to its customers saying it would end the service from July 1 after "receiving a notice from regulatory departments".
VPNs route and encrypt internet traffic to servers outside of the country, making them popular with...
How to Install the macOS High Sierra Public Beta
Apple today released the first public beta of macOS High Sierra, the next major version of its operating system for Mac computers that will officially be released in the fall. The beta of the upcoming OS is compatible on all Macs that are able to run macOS Sierra.
The availability of the public beta means users who aren't signed up for the Apple Developer Program can test the software update ...
Mac Drag-and-Drop App 'Yoink' Gains File Recall Feature and Better Sharing Tools
Popular Mac drag-and-drop app Yoink received a substantial update on Thursday, adding the ability to bring back last removed files and better sharing options, as well as many smaller improvements.
The Yoink app aims to simplify the action of dragging and dropping files and app-content on the macOS desktop by providing a temporary place for files to be dragged to. Yoink fades in when users...
Journaling Platform 'Day One' Transitions to a Subscription Service
Popular journaling app Day One announced on Wednesday that it is transitioning its platform to a subscription-based service because it offers a more sustainable business model.
The Day One Premium service costs $50 per year and allows users to create unlimited journals, with the promise of additional forthcoming features like Audio Entries, Writing Prompts, and Guided Journaling, as well as a ...
Twitch iOS App Gains Live Streaming Feature, Dark Mode, and More
Game-streaming platform Twitch is set to bring a host of new features to its mobile app in an update currently rolling out across the globe.
The new version of the app for iOS brings a number of long-requested functionality tweaks, like the ability to stream directly from the mobile app, along with several visual changes, such as the introduction of a dark mode.
The update also brings...
Messaging App Viber Overhauls Third-Party Chat Extensions in Latest Update
Popular messaging platform Viber announced an update to its mobile app today that includes an overhaul of its Chat Extensions feature, offering users access to a raft of sources of third-party content right from within the chat window.
Starting today, directly in their private chat screen, users can find and share their favorite videos from YouTube, songs from Spotify, the perfect stay from...
Urban Armor Gear Announces Metropolis Cases for 10.5 & 12.9-Inch iPad Pro
Urban Armor Gear (UAG) has announced the launch of its new Metropolis Series Cases designed for Apple's new 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
The Metropolis cases meet U.S. military specification standards for 360-degree comprehensive protection from drops and shocks, with an impact-resistant soft core and a tactile non-slip exterior grip.
A smart cover protects the iPad Pro's screen...
Vivo Unveils Screen-Embedded Fingerprint Sensor Technology at MWC2017 Shanghai
As predicted, Vivo showcased fingerprint sensor technology embedded in a smartphone screen on Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Shanghai. The 'Under Display Fingerprint Scanning Solution' is based on Qualcomm technology and was demonstrated running on prototype devices based on the existing Vivo Xplay 6 phone.
Vivo claimed the under-display fingerprint solution, which doesn't...
Uber Users Can Now 'Request a Ride for a Loved One'
Uber yesterday introduced a new ride-hailing feature in its mobile app that lets users request a ride for a friend or family member in a different location.
Uber announced the news in a blog post on its website, suggesting the feature would let users "request a ride for a loved one" such as a senior with limited mobility who doesn't have an Uber account or a smartphone.
Now, when you set the...
Low OLED Panel Yield Could Cap 'iPhone 8' Availability at 4 Million Units at Debut
Shipments of Apple's upcoming "iPhone 8" could be delayed because of low yield rates at assembly plants and a limited supply of OLED display panels, according to a report published on Tuesday.
DigiTimes cited industry sources predicting that the shipments could end up behind schedule because of the issues, despite chipset suppliers delivering parts early and an increased recruitment drive by...
Amazon Echo Smart Speakers Gain Room-to-Room Intercom Feature
Amazon is releasing a software update for its Echo range of smart speakers that enables households with multiple Echos to use them as room-to-room intercoms (via TechCrunch).
Once the new feature is set up, users are able to select a speaker in a specific room and communicate with it one-to-one - to call the kids to dinner from the kitchen Echo, for example.
To enable the function, users...
Australia to Push for Greater Powers on Encrypted Messaging at 'Five Eyes' Meeting
Australia is set to push for greater international powers to thwart the use of encrypted messaging services by terrorists and criminals, according to reports on Sunday (via Reuters).
The topic will be addressed this week at a meeting of officials from the "Five Eyes" intelligence sharing network, which includes the U.S., the U.K, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Australia claimed the...
Apple CEO Attends U.S. Business Leader Roundtable With Indian Prime Minister
Apple CEO Tim Cook joined top business leaders in a roundtable session with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. As many as 21 high-profile chief executives of U.S. corporations attended the gathering in Washington, D.C., including Google's Sundar Pichai, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, and Amazon's Jeff Bezos (via India Economic Times).
Prime Minister Modi kicked off his U.S. visit by...
Key Stanford Medical Researcher Joins Apple's Health Team
Apple has hired the lead doctor of Stanford University's digital health initiative, Sumbul Desai, to take on an unspecified role in one of the tech company's health projects. The hire was rumored earlier this month, but Stanford Medicine confirmed it to Internet Health Management on Friday.
Desai headed up Stanford's Center for Digital Health, launched by the university's School of Medicine in ...
