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
MacStadium Releases Free Orka Desktop macOS Virtualization Software
Mac cloud services provider MacStadium today unveiled Orka Desktop, a free virtualization tool that allows Mac users to create and manage macOS virtual machines locally via an easy-to-use admin panel.
Orka users can create or download custom macOS images locally for their own personal use, or to collaborate with team members using a familiar workflow, versioning, audit, and review controls....
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Google Advanced Protection Program Adds Single Passkey Set-Up Option
Google today announced that has added a new passkey set-up option to its Advanced Protection Program, allowing Pixel and iPhone owners to use their device's biometric authentication instead of physical security keys.
For those unfamiliar with the Advanced Protection Program, it's designed for high-profile Google product users who need maximum protection from hacking attempts. It's a feature...
iPhone 16 Pro Rumored to Support 40W Fast Charging and 20W MagSafe
Apple's forthcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will support 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging, claims a rumor currently swirling around China.
Right now, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models are capable of up to 27W peak charging speeds with an appropriate USB-C power adapter, while official MagSafe chargers from Apple and authorized third parties can wirelessly charge...
Apple Drops OpenAI Board Observer Role Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Apple will not take an observer role on OpenAI's board as part of a deal to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, according to the Financial Times.
Bloomberg last week reported that Apple Fellow and App Store chief Phil Schiller would to take the position as part of its agreement with OpenAI, which will see ChatGPT integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.
A board observer is an ...
Philips Hue Bulbs Randomly Turning Up to Max Brightness, But a Fix Is Coming
Some owners of Philips Hue smart bulbs are reporting that their lights are randomly turning up to full brightness despite being set to dim.
Philips Hue parent company Signify is reportedly aware of the issue, which is apparently related to the Matter interoperability standard, and says a fix is coming as soon as next week.
"After extensive analysis, we have identified an interoperability ...
iOS 18.4 to Bring Apple Intelligence Powered Siri
With iOS 18, set to be released in the fall, Apple is introducing a new personalized AI experience called Apple Intelligence that uses on-device, generative large-language models to enhance the user experience.
As part of Apple Intelligence, Siri is getting an overhaul, including a new interface that glows a light around the edge of the screen, richer natural language capabilities that will ...
iOS 18 to Feature New Dynamic Color-Shifting iPhone Wallpaper
Apple is including a new "dynamic" iPhone wallpaper in iOS 18 that automatically changes its appearance at various times by shifting colors.
In the first and second betas of iOS 18, Apple offered four different color variations of the new default two-tone wallpaper, including yellow, pink, azure, and purple. Beta 3 adds a fifth option, called "dynamic."
It's not yet clear what triggers...
iOS 18: Prevent Motion Sickness With Vehicle Motion Cues
In iOS 18, Apple added several new accessibility features, and one feature in particular that is likely to have widespread appeal among car passengers is Vehicle Motion Cues, which aims to prevent motion sickness when looking at an iPhone or iPad.
According to Apple, research shows that motion sickness is commonly caused by a sensory conflict between what a person sees and what they feel,...
Revealed: Complete iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max Dimensions
This year, Apple is set to increase the size of its premium iPhones, and it will be the first size update we've had in several years. While we've known for some time that the iPhone 16 Pro will measure in at 6.3 inches (up from 6.1) and the Pro Max will measure in at 6.9 inches (up from 6.7), we have not had a complete picture of every dimension, until now.
Despite being bigger phones, one...
Nothing Debuts CMF Phone 1 With Modular Design Starting at $199
CMF, a London-based sub-brand of Nothing, has officially announced the CMF Phone 1, boasting a highly customizable modular design and featuring some decent hardware specs for an Android smartphone that starts at just $199.
The CMF Phone (1) is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset and features a 6.67-inch FHD, 120Hz AMOLED display. There's a 50MP Sony camera on the back, accompanied...
Authy Users Urged to Stay Alert After 33 Million Phone Numbers Exposed
Twilio has updated its Authy two-factor authentication (2FA) service after a hacker claimed to have retrieved 33 million phone numbers from its user database.
TechCrunch reports that the hacker(s) known as ShinyHunters took to a well-known hacking forum to boast about the theft of 33 million cell phone numbers, achieved by what Twilio described as the use of an "authenticated endpoint."...
Blue Frames on iPad Screen? How to Fix
When using an iPad, you might notice blue frames appearing around the screen elements. This often happens when Full Keyboard Access is enabled. Full Keyboard Access is an accessibility feature that allows users to control the iPad using a keyboard. The blue frames indicate which element is currently focused and can be interacted with via the keyboard.
Causes of Blue Frames Appearing on iPad...
ChatGPT Mac App Stored User Chats in Plain Text Prior to Latest Update
OpenAI has issued an update to its ChatGPT app for Mac, after a developer discovered the app was locally storing users' conversations with the chatbot in plain text.
Pedro José Pereira Vieito told The Verge's Jay Peters: "I was curious about why OpenAI opted out of using the app sandbox protections and ended up checking where they stored the app data."
That led Pereira Vieito to develop...
Apple M5 Chip's Dual-Use Design Will Power Future Macs and AI Servers
Apple will reportedly use a more advanced SoIC packaging technology for its M5 chips, as part of a two-pronged strategy to meet its growing need for silicon that can power consumer Macs and enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud.
Developed by TSMC and unveiled in 2018, SoIC (System on Integrated Chip) technology allows for the stacking of chips ...
Netflix Starts Booting Subscribers Off Cheapest Basic Ads-Free Plan
Netflix is proceeding with its plan to discontinue its cheapest ad-free subscription tier, starting with the UK and Canada, with more countries inevitably to follow.
The streaming giant has reportedly begun notifying users via on-screen messages about the last day they can access the service unless they upgrade. One Reddit user shared a notification they had received from the Netflix app,...
Apple's Back to School Sale Live in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
Apple today continued with the launch of its annual "Back to School" promotion, debuting back to school deals in most countries in Europe, some countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico.
Higher education students and educators in the UK can get up to a £120 Apple gift card with the purchase of select Macs and iPads, which is a similar deal to the one that went live in the United States ...
Proton Launches End-to-End Encrypted Alternative to Google Docs
Swiss privacy company Proton today launched Proton Docs, which it is pitching to customers as a "secure alternative to Google Drive and Docs."
Proton Docs offers user end-to-end encrypted (E2E) document creation, editing, and collaboration, all of which is integrated with Proton's cloud storage product, Drive.
The implementation of E2E means not even Proton can access your docs content...
macOS Sequoia Supports HDMI Passthrough for Dolby Atmos Content
In macOS Sequoia, several Apple apps have gained a new HDMI Passthrough feature that enables a Mac to send an unaltered Dolby Atmos audio signal to a connected AV receiver or soundbar.
The new functionality appears in various places in macOS 15, including Apple's TV, Music, and QuickTime Player apps. Apple says turning on the option lets users "Play supported audio in Dolby Atmos and other...
Apple Boosts A18 Chip Orders in Anticipation of High iPhone 16 Demand
Apple is said to have upped its order of next-generation chips from TSMC to between 90 million and 100 million units, following heightened demand expectations for its iPhone 16 series.
Last year's initial chip order volume for the iPhone 15 series launch is believed to have been in the region of 80-90 million units, suggesting Apple is anticipating higher demand for its 2024 devices in the...
Fortnite and Epic Games Store Submitted to Apple for iOS Launch in EU
Epic Games says it has submitted the Epic Games Store to Apple for notarization under Apple's alternative app marketplace policy in the European Union.
The Epic Games Store will include popular game Fortnite, which means iPhone users in the EU will be able to install and play the title without having to use a cloud gaming service. Epic said it was "targeting the next couple...
