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
Spotify Launches In-App Direct Messaging for Music Sharing
Spotify is rolling out a new direct messaging feature that allows users to share music, podcast, and audiobook recommendations directly within the app. Messages is launching this week in select markets for Free and Premium users aged 16 and older.
The feature integrates into Spotify's existing sharing functionality - tap the share icon while listening to content in the Now Playing view and...
Read Full Article • 39 comments
Apple Music Transfer Tool for Switching From Spotify Now Available in US and 8 Other Countries
Apple has quietly expanded availability of its music transfer tool to seven additional countries, allowing users to import playlists and libraries from competing streaming services directly into Apple Music.
The feature initially launched in Australia and New Zealand in May 2025, and is now available in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States,...
AirPods Pro 3 Coming This Fall – Here's What We Know
Despite being over two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. Rumors suggest AirPods Pro 3 could arrive as soon as September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, giving prospective AirPods...
Apple's 'Liquid Silicone' iPhone 17 Case Colors Allegedly Revealed
Apple is designing new "Liquid Silicone" cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with images of the alleged case colors shared by leaker "Majin Bu."
The lineup includes eight variants with a matte finish and soft-touch texture, including deep orange, pale orange, grass green, celadon, fog purple, grey blue, dark blue, and midnight black. The cases also have multiple cutouts for att...
Why Apple Isn't Making New AirPods Max Anytime Soon
AirPods Max fans hoping for a second-generation version of Apple's over-ear headphones shouldn't hold their breath, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests Apple's wireless noise-canceling cans are stuck in commercial limbo – "too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money ...
Here's What the Curved Glass 2027 iPhone Could Look Like
Apple might celebrate the iPhone's 20th birthday in 2027 with its most radical redesign yet. According to Korean publication ETNews, the company is exploring "four-edge bending" display technology that would curve the screen around all sides of the device. Not just left and right, but top and bottom too.
The result? A truly bezel-less iPhone with content flowing seamlessly across all edges,...
Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color.
We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
iPhone 17 Pro May Be Able to Wirelessly Charge AirPods, Apple Watch
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models could include a reverse wireless charging feature making them capable of delivering power to other Apple devices, according to the Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital.
The Chinese leaker says that Apple has tested reverse wireless charging for the company's new high-end smartphones, but whether the feature is actually enabled when the devices launch...
iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Wearable Apple Case Options
Apple may be planning a wearable future for the upcoming iPhone 17, after multiple leakers suggested the company's official cases will support lanyard attachments.
Alleged iPhone 17 cases via Majin Bu
According to leaker "Majin Bu," Apple's upcoming "TechWoven" cases – apparently replacing the discontinued FineWoven line – will feature small holes in the bottom corners for attaching...
Add $25 to Apple Account Balance, Get 2 Months Free Apple Music
Apple has an upcoming promotion that gives users up to two months of free Apple Music when they add funds to their Apple Account balance, according to code found by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
The offer will provide two months of free Apple Music for new subscribers and one month for qualified returning subscribers when adding $25 or more to an Apple Account balance. Users receive a...
Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.6, Downgrading No Longer an Option
Apple is no longer signing iOS 18.6, making downgrades from iOS 18.6.2 or iOS 18.6.1 to iOS 18.6 impossible. iOS 18.6.1 was released a little over a week ago, swiftly followed by iOS 18.6.2 on Wednesday.
Apple often stops signing an older version of iOS, usually within a week or two after a new version is released. When an update is no longer signed, it can't be installed on an iPhone...
Apple to Simplify iPhone 18 Camera Control Button, Not Remove It
An established Chinese leaker has pushed back against recent rumors suggesting Apple plans to eliminate the Camera Control button from the iPhone 18, instead claiming the company is working to simplify the component to reduce costs.
According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the Camera Control's pressure-sensitive modules for the iPhone 18 series currently remain in trial production....
Apple Loses Another Key AI Leader to Meta's Superintelligence Labs
Apple has had yet another AI executive poached by Meta, despite reports that the social networking company is slowing hiring (via Bloomberg).
Frank Chu, one of Apple's team leaders focused on cloud infrastructure, training, and search, will join Meta's Superintelligence Labs, a division tasked with building advanced AI systems capable of performing at or beyond human-level intelligence....
iOS: Enable or Disable Adaptive Power Mode
In iOS 26 and iOS 27, Apple offers an Adaptive Power Mode that works alongside the existing Low Power Mode to intelligently extend your iPhone's battery life. Unlike Low Power Mode's heavy restrictions, this AI-powered feature makes subtle adjustments that you're barely meant to notice. Here's how it works.
What Adaptive Power Mode Does
When your battery usage runs higher than usual,...
Vivo's $1,400 Apple Vision Pro Clone Launches Across China
Chinese smartphone maker Vivo on Thursday unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the "Vivo Vision," and the photocopiers in Dongguan appear to have been working overtime.
The device "launched" as an in-store experience across mainland China today, featuring design elements that clearly ape Apple's Vision Pro. It's got a curved glass front visor, downward-pointing cameras, removable fabric ...
Apple Blood Oxygen Feature Workaround Sparks Fresh Masimo Lawsuit
Medical technology company Masimo on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection in which it challenged the agency's decision to allow Apple to restore blood oxygen monitoring to its Apple Watch models (via Bloomberg Law).
In a complaint filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, Masimo said that Customs acted unlawfully when it ruled on...
How to Downgrade From iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18
If you installed iOS 26 Beta or iPadOS 26 Beta through Apple's Developer Program or Software Beta Program, you may decide you want to downgrade because of usability or stability issues. Keep reading to learn how it's done.
Apple's beta versions of its major software updates can be notoriously buggy, especially the early releases. You may find apps not working properly, poor battery life,...
How to Install iOS 26 Public Beta 3 on Your iPhone
Apple has made available the third public beta of iOS 26, bringing the new software to a wider audience following initial testing by developers. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your device for the beta software and how to install it.
Signing up to get the iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 public beta is simple, and can be done by enrolling an iPhone or iPad in Apple's free Apple Beta Software...
iOS 26: Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass
In iOS 26, Liquid Glass is Apple's new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content across system controls, navigation elements, app icons, and widgets. The design represents the most significant visual overhaul since iOS 7, and it also brings a new clock appearance option to your iPhone Lock Screen....
How to Install macOS Tahoe Public Beta 3
Apple has made the third macOS Tahoe public beta available for testing before the new Mac operating system's official release in the fall. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.
Getting access to the macOS Tahoe public beta is simple, and can be done by enrolling your Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. The steps you need...
