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 Promotes Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip7 by Mistake [Update: Weibo Error]
Update 9:31 a.m.: The error was apparently not a mistake by Apple and was instead reportedly caused by an issue on the Weibo client side that displayed the wrong video alongside Apple's post.
In a statement, an Apple spokesperson said the following: "Apple Support has only posted Apple content. We are working with Weibo to understand how this happened."
Our original article follows below.
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New Low-Cost MacBook With iPhone Chip Coming Next Year
Rumors out of Asia captured the attention of Apple fans in 2023 with claims that Apple planned to offer a more affordable MacBook for budget-conscious customers and students which would compete with Google's Chromebooks. Those rumors cooled in 2024 when Walmart started selling the MacBook Air with M1 chip in the United States for $699. However, based on new information, we now believe this was...
When Are New AirPods Coming Out?
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are expected to debut soon in the fall of 2025. It will be the first major update to the premium earbuds since the AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022. The standard AirPods 4 received a refresh in September 2024, which means the higher-end Pro model is the next in line for an overhaul.
Apple typically launches new AirPods alongside iPhone releases, and Apple is...
iOS 26 Public Beta: Check Out What's New on Your iPhone Lock Screen
With the iOS 26 public beta now out, you may have chosen to give the new software update a try ahead of its general release in the fall. If that's the case, Apple has made some changes and feature additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that you may want to check out.
To download the iOS 26 public beta to your iPhone, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then tap Beta Updates and choose i...
Blender iPad Pro App in Development with Apple Pencil Support
Blender has revealed it is developing a native iPad version of its popular open source 3D creation suite, complete with a fully-featured multitouch interface tailored to artists who rely on tablets.
Mockup showing Blender on iPad Pro
According to the Blender development team, the idea is to bring the full power of Blender to popular tablet devices without compromises, starting with the iPad...
Touch ID Coming Back to iPhone – But Not How You Think
Apple may be bringing Touch ID back to a flagship iPhone for the first time since iPhone X introduced Face ID in 2017. But this isn't the Home button resurrection you might expect.
According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first foldable iPhone will skip Face ID entirely in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side button – similar to the design found on current iPad Air and...
2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device.
Below, we've collated the key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far.
Overall Design
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iOS 26: Make App Icons Clear on Your iPhone Home Screen
If you've just downloaded the iOS 26 public beta on your iPhone, the first thing you'll notice is the new Liquid Glass design overhaul, which adopts translucent elements throughout the system interface and in stock apps.
On the Home Screen, the search bar, dock, and app folders are translucent. By default, app icons have a new layered glass look that gives them dimension, but there's also a...
These Apple CarPlay Ultra Partners Now Say They Won't Support It
Apple is facing mounting resistance from automakers over CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles that was announced last month.
A new (paywalled) Financial Times report claims several major brands are walking back their earlier commitments to support the upgraded dashboard software. German luxury manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Audi have both...
Apple Watch May Soon Give You a New Reason to Sleep With It On
Apple appears to be working on a new feature for the Apple Watch that could help you better understand your nightly sleep and predict how you'll feel the next day.
Code discovered in iOS 26 has revealed an intriguing image buried within the Health app. The graphic shows an Apple Watch displaying the number "84" surrounded by three colored bars that match some of the sleep stage colors...
WhatsApp Tests Reminders for Specific Messages
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets users set reminders for particular messages that they want to refer back to, based on new findings in the latest beta version.
According to WABetaInfo, the feature allows users to long press on any message and select a new "Remind me" option in the popup menu. Users can then choose between 2 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, or a custom duration after...
Apple Opening New Retail Store in Japan This Weekend
Apple has announced that it will be opening a new retail store in the in the heart of Osaka, Japan, on Saturday, July 26.
Apple Umeda is the second Apple store to open in Osaka and the 11th to open in Japan. It is located at 4-20 Ofukacho in the Kita ward of Osaka, next to the Osaka Station.
To celebrate the occasion, Apple has released a special wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac...
WPC Announces Qi2 25W Wireless Charging With iPhone Support
Qi2 25W wireless charging has been officially announced by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), confirming its coming support for compatible iPhones. Qi2 was previously known only by its version number, Qi2.2, but the WPC's announcement indicates it will take the brand name Qi2 25W.
Currently, iPhones featuring MagSafe use Qi 2, the widely supported second-generation charging standard. With...
iOS 26 Screenshots: Turn Off Full-Screen Previews
Apple has modified the screenshot experience in iOS 26 to accommodate Visual Intelligence and its new Liquid Glass aesthetic. Taking a screenshot is still done by pressing the Side button and Volume Up button on your iPhone, but the interface has been redesigned, while there's another change that might slow down your workflow if you're used to the streamlined approach taken in iOS 18 and earlier.
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iOS 26: Remove Conversation Backgrounds in Messages
In iOS 26, Apple introduces conversation backgrounds to its Messages app for the first time. Custom backgrounds can help users better organize their conversations at a glance, and they also serve to add a personal touch to important chats, but they can feel like an imposition for other users.
The ability to apply custom backgrounds to Messages conversations in iOS 26 will be welcomed by many ...
Apple and Google's Mobile 'Duopoly' Targeted by UK Regulators
Britain's competition regulator has today outlined sweeping proposals that could force Apple to fundamentally alter how it operates its App Store, Safari browser, and iOS ecosystem in the UK.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published a detailed roadmap of potential interventions after proposing to designate both Apple and Google with "strategic market status" under new digital...
Proton's New AI Assistant Lumo Offers Encrypted Chat Alternative
Proton today launched Lumo, an AI assistant that promises to keep your conversations completely private. Best known for its encrypted Mail and VPN services, the Swiss company says it built Lumo as an alternative to mainstream AI tools that typically capitalize on users' data by using it to train their large language models (LLMs).
Lumo can be used just like other AI chatbots (Open AI's...
watchOS 26: 10 New Things Your Apple Watch Can Do
Along with the launch of new Apple Watch models, Apple is releasing watchOS 26 in just under a couple of months, and the software update is bringing several new features that should make all compatible Apple Watch models smarter and more helpful.
Provided you own a model that supports watchOS 26, here are 10 new things you'll be able to do with your Apple Watch when the software rolls...
Create Custom Emoji in Messages With Genmoji
In iOS 18.2 and later, Apple's Genmoji feature lets you create personalized emoji that aim to perfectly match what you want to express, going far beyond the limitations of standard Unicode emoji. Want an emoji of a break-dancing astronaut or a dog playing bagpipes? With Genmoji, you can make it happen.
Unlike standard emoji that are fixed Unicode characters, Genmoji are dynamically generated ...
Apple Testing iPhone 17 Pro Color That Changes Before Your Eyes
Apple could be cooking up something special for the iPhone 17 Pro's color lineup, if a singular rumor out of Asia is anything to go by.
Chinese leaker Instant Digital has hinted at a mysterious new finish connected to iOS 26's "Liquid Glass" design language. It's described as apparently appearing white but somehow shifting depending on lighting conditions. (Picture one of those phone cases...
