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 Research Questions AI Reasoning Models Just Days Before WWDC
A newly published Apple Machine Learning Research study has challenged the prevailing narrative around AI "reasoning" large-language models like OpenAI's o1 and Claude's thinking variants, revealing fundamental limitations that suggest these systems aren't truly reasoning at all.
For the study, rather than using standard math benchmarks that are prone to data contamination, Apple...
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WWDC 2025 Conference Swag Includes Tote Bag, Drinks Bottle, Lanyard, and More
Just hours away from WWDC’s opening keynote, some developers have been sharing the contents of their conference swag bags on social media. The bags are given to attendees when they register for the event, and typically contain limited-edition Apple gifts.
This year, developers have been registering at Apple's Infinite Loop campus, where they have been gifted a black tote bag emblazoned...
Next Version of Chrome to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
The next version of Chrome that Google is currently testing drops support for devices running iOS 16, meaning it will be the end of the road for the browser on iPhone X and iPhone 8 models.
Apple dropped support for these devices when it released iOS 17, which Chrome will require to install. Likewise, the upcoming Chrome v138.7204.13 requires iPadOS 17 to run, so the browser will drop...
AI-Focused Apple Music Reboot Said to Be in the Works
Apple is working on an Apple Music reboot focused around AI, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The reporter made the comments during a Discord chat over the weekend.
Gurman didn't eleborate, except to say that Apple has no release ETA for the reboot, suggesting Apple won't mention it at WWDC this week. Turning to rivals like Spotify for inspiration, AI features could potentially include...
iOS 26 AI Battery Management Feature May Launch With iPhone 17 Air
Apple's rumored AI-powered battery management feature may not be announced at WWDC as part of iOS 26, with Apple potentially launching the tool in tandem with the release of the iPhone 17 Air in September. That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who made the prediction while hosting a Discord chat over the weekend.
Gurman reported in May that Apple plans to use AI to help you better...
Could Apple Ditch Siri Name in Major AI Rebrand at WWDC?
Apple will highlight its AI strategy at Monday's WWDC 2025 keynote, with its much-talked-about "Liquid Glass" software redesign playing a secondary role in announcements, claims industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Reports leading up to WWDC have indicated that iOS 26 will feature a major design overhaul inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. The redesign has...
iOS 26 to Bring These 3 Long-Awaited Features to Messages
Apple's Messages app is finally catching up to the competition. With iOS 26 expected to be previewed at WWDC next week, Apple is working on three features that Messages users have been requesting for years – and they're the kind of additions that should make you actually want to use iMessage over a rival chat platform.
Here's what's coming:
Polls – Apple is said to be planning to add an ...
Apple TV 4K: Play Game Console or Cable Box Audio on HomePod
The Apple TV 4K (second- and third-generation) is capable of relaying audio from a compatible TV to a HomePod – even when you're not using your Apple TV. This allows you to stream audio from a TV-connected game console or other set-top box straight to Apple's smart speakers. Keep reading to learn more and how to set it up.
The second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K supports two...
HomePod Software 26 to Support OG HomePod
Apple's upcoming HomePod Software 26 update will support the original first-generation HomePod along with all succeeding HomePod models, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.
Apple released the original HomePod eight years ago, so it's good to see that Apple's latest software will support it. As for what the new software will bring to...
tvOS 26 to Support These Apple TV Models
Apple's upcoming tvOS 26 software update will support all Apple TV models that are compatible with tvOS 18, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.
If this rumor is accurate, and we have high confidence that it is, then tvOS 26 will be compatible with the Apple TV HD – released in 2015(!) – and beyond:
Apple TV HD (2015)
Apple TV...
watchOS 26 to Support These Apple Watch Models
Apple's upcoming watchOS 26 software update will support all Apple Watch models that are compatible with watchOS 11, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.
If this rumor is accurate, and we believe it is, watchOS 26 will be compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and beyond:
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple Watch Series 6
...
Use Your iPhone As a Webcam for Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 includes a new built-in social feature called GameChat that allows up to 12 users to engage in video chats simultaneously, even if they're playing in different games. To facilitate this, Nintendo offers an official Switch 2 Camera that connects via USB-C, but it turns out that an iPhone does the job just as well, if not better.
Niles Mitchell has thoughtfully shared a...
AirPods to Gain These Five New Features This Year
Apple's AirPods are about to get a lot smarter. With iOS 26 expected to debut at WWDC next week and software updates rolling out later this year, AirPods users can look forward to some genuinely useful new capabilities that go well beyond the usual audio improvements.
Here's what's coming:
New Head Gestures – Building on last year's nod-or-shake-your-head-to-answer feature, Apple is...
Use Your iPhone as a Microphone for Your Mac
If you have macOS 13 or later installed on your Mac, you can use a nearby iPhone as your computer's microphone input. Keep reading to learn how it works.
When Apple released macOS Ventura in October 2022, it introduced a new take on its Continuity Camera feature by letting users use their iPhone's camera as a webcam for their Mac. Continuity Camera works wirelessly or wired in FaceTime,...
Take Control of Favicons in Safari's Favorites Bar
Since Safari 17 and macOS Sonoma, Apple's browser has supported favicons in the Favorites bar. Keep reading to learn why favicons can be useful, how to make space for more, and how you can disable them if they aren't for you.
A favicon is a small icon that serves as a kind of badge for a website. Its main purpose is to make it easier to locate the webpage when there are multiple tabs open in ...
ChatGPT Now Integrates with Dropbox, Google Drive for Business
OpenAI has announced some new productivity features for ChatGPT, adding direct integration with major cloud storage services and introducing meeting recording capabilities for business users.
The AI chatbot can now connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and SharePoint, allowing users to query information directly from their stored documents and files. Use case examples include a...
WhatsApp Testing AI Chatbot Creation Feature and Usernames
WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets users build their own AI chatbot assistant within the app, reports WABetaInfo.
Currently rolling out to a small number of WhatsApp beta testers is a new section in the app called "AI Studio," which walks users through the creation of their AI assistant.
The idea isn't dissimilar to OpenAI's custom GPTs or Google Gemini's Gems. Users can devise...
iPhone 17 May Support Qi 2.2, Capable of Up to 25W Wireless Charging
Apple appears to be moving to the next-generation Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard, according to regulatory filings on Taiwan's NCC certification website. Qi2.2 is the forthcoming update to the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) Qi standard, building on improvements introduced with Qi 2.1.
Spotted by 91mobiles.com, the filings reveal two new MagSafe charger models – A3503 and A3502 –...
Make Live Photos Loop, Bounce, and More on iPhone
Apple's Live Photos, introduced in 2015, are photos that capture 1.5 seconds of video before and after you take a picture, with the aim of adding a little bit of life and movement to still images.
Since introducing Live Photos, Apple has added some effects to its Photos app that let you turn them into fun animated clips, which you can then share with family, friends, or the wider world.
...
Use Apple Watch Backtrack to Retrace Your Steps
On Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Series 6 and later models running watchOS 9 and newer, you can use the Compass app's Backtrack feature to track your route and then help you retrace your steps in case you get lost.
Backtrack uses the GPS on your Apple Watch to create a virtual breadcrumb trail of your route so you don't have to worry about keeping track of where you're...
