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 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 ...
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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...
Instagram to Test Redesigned User Profiles Over the Coming Weeks
Instagram says it is testing new layout designs for user profiles over the next few weeks that will make them easier to use and better at helping people connect with each other on the social network.
The company announced the upcoming changes on its official blog, explaining that it would experiment in phases with various profile combinations and listen to user feedback:
Over the next...
Apple TV Gaining Traction in 4K Streaming Device Market
Demand for the Apple TV 4K has surged in the last few weeks as consumers seek ways to stream UHD content going into the holidays, claims a new report by Joshua Fruhlinger, publisher of data-driven site Thinknum.
According to Best Buy sales rank data for streaming 4K devices in the month of November, the 32GB model of Apple's streaming set-top box has surpassed cheaper alternatives including...
How to Call Someone and Put Them on Speaker Without Picking up Your iPhone
Next time you find yourself with your hands full and you want to make a call on your iPhone – or even if you're in bed and your phone's just out of reach – don't forget that you can get Siri to start a speakerphone call for you, handsfree.
All you need to do beforehand is make sure that your iPhone is set up to listen for the "Hey Siri" voice command. You can check this by following the ...
Google Assistant iOS App Gains Support for Siri Shortcuts
Google has updated its Assistant app for iOS to support Siri Shortcuts, enabling users to invoke Google's virtual assistant using Apple's virtual assistant, without even having to launch the app.
Once the update has been installed, Assistant users are presented with an "Add to Siri" button that lets them record a phrase of their choosing to be used after saying the "Hey, Siri" command. As...
How to Use the Magnifier Feature on iPhone and iPad
Apple includes an accessibility feature in iOS that's useful if you have a visual impairment, but can even come in handy if your eyes are simply tired or you're struggling to read something like small print, especially in poor light.
It's called the Magnifier, and has several advantages over just opening up the camera app and zooming in to get a better look at something.
Enabling it is ...
How to Use Your Mac's Media Keys to Adjust Speaker Volume on a DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt Monitor
If you connect your Mac to an external display, you may find that the Mac's on-screen and keyboard volume controls are disabled. That's because HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt connections carry a fixed volume digital audio signal, so the external device (in this case, a monitor) controls the sound level.
This can be frustrating if the volume controls on your external display are...
Tumblr Removed From App Store Over Failure to Filter Out Child Pornography
Apple removed Tumblr from the iOS App Store late last week because the Yahoo-owned social network failed to filter prohibited content, it emerged today.
The Tumblr app for iPhone and iPad went missing from the App Store on Friday, November 16. Shortly afterwards, Tumblr announced that it was "working to resolve an issue" with the app, but stopped short of explaining the problem.
It wasn't ...
Tim Cook Discusses Apple's Google Search Engine Deal, User Privacy, and 'Inevitable' Tech Regulation
Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on HBO on Sunday in a pre-recorded interview with Axios, in which he discussed several issues including Apple's relationship with Google and the need for privacy regulations in the technology sector.
During the interview, which was conducted at Apple Park, Cook emphasized user privacy as a "core value" of Apple's that reaches way back to before smartphones had...
How to Rebuild the Spotlight Index on Your Mac
Apple has enhanced Spotlight search in macOS in recent years, with the addition of Spotlight Suggestions allowing it to tap into a variety of online data sources like weather and sports. Nevertheless, helping you find apps, documents and other files stored on your Mac is still what Spotlight does best.
That's not to say its core function is infallible, however. If Spotlight can't find files...
Walmart Overtakes Apple to Become Third Largest Online Retailer in U.S.
Apple has ceded its position to Walmart as the third largest online retailer in the U.S., according to a new report out this week (via TechCrunch).
Research provider eMarketer Retail calculates that Walmart is set to capture 4 percent of all online retail spending in 2018, up from 3.3 percent the previous year, while Apple will claim a 3.9 percent share, up from 3.8 percent in 2017....
Twitter App's Explore Tab Begins Sorting Trending Tweets by Topic in the U.S.
Twitter has changed the way the Explore tab works in its official iOS app, with entries now organized based on topic and divided up into separate navigable sections.
Twitter says the update should make exploring the platform easier than ever, with users able to find trending tweets on specific topics by tapping the designated tabs for news, sports, fun, and entertainment.
Starting today in ...
Apple Previews New Champs-Élysées Store in Paris, Opening This Sunday
Apple today officially announced its latest retail store, Apple Champs-Élysées in Paris, located on one of the French city's most iconic streets. The store opens on Sunday and will replace the nearby Apple Carrousel du Louvre, which permanently closed in October.
The store occupies a Haussmann-era apartment building, featuring what Apple is calling its "grandest" Forum dedicated to free...
Google Maps Gains Messaging Feature for Users to Chat With Local Businesses
A new feature rolling out for Google Maps will allow iOS and Android users to message local businesses with their queries without having to leave the GPS-based navigation app.
The feature is an extension of Google's real-time business-to-customer messaging service that the company introduced in select countries last year.
Businesses that signed up to the service include a Message button on ...
