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HomePod, the first new Apple product of 2018, is about to arrive. And as a huge Apple fanboy, I couldn’t care less.

Apple’s been hyping its smart speaker ever since unveiling the device last June at the Worldwide Developers Conference. And yet HomePod has failed to really excite fans (except through leaks that gave us early details about the iPhone X). Apple bills HomePod as a powerful speaker that packs Siri to take your listening experience to an all-new level. But with its Feb. 9 release just weeks away, HomePod is looking more like Apple’s next big bomb.

Apple pushed out a big batch of software updates this morning for iOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS, bringing a host of bug fixes and performance improvements to all of its major platforms.

iOS 11.2.5 is the biggest of today’s software updates. The update for iPhones and iPads adds a couple new features, including support for Apple’s HomePod smart speaker, which opens for preorders this Friday.

Apple will cut key features from its upcoming 6.1-inch iPhone to reach a more affordable price tag, according to one reliable analyst.

The device, which is expected to look a lot like iPhone X, could cost as little as $700. But buyers will lose luxuries like a stainless steal frame, dual rear-facing cameras, and even 3D Touch.

The most popular consumer drone on the market just got a huge upgrade that gives it even more mass appeal for budding droners and video creators.

DJI unveiled its new folding drone, the Mavic Air, today. A blend of the company’s two most popular drones, the Mavic Pro and the Spark, it also packs new features you won’t find on DJI’s other drones.

Take a closer look:

After confirming HomePod will finally make its debut on February 9 — with preorders starting this Friday — Apple has revealed new details about its hotly anticipated smart speaker.

Here’s what you need to know about HomePod gesture controls and more.

Apple is said to be preparing a new 13-inch MacBook for 2018 that will likely replace the MacBook Air as its most affordable notebook.

Suppliers are already manufacturing displays for the machine, which will reportedly make its debut in the second half of the year, according to industry sources.

Apple ramped up its lobbying spend in 2017, shelling out $7 million to battle many of the regulations and proposed new laws issued by the Trump administration.

Under Tim Cook, amount spent by Apple on lobbying efforts has more than doubled. However, while last year’s figure was a personal record for the company, it is less than many other big tech giants spent. During the same period, Google spent $18 million on lobbying efforts, while Amazon spent $12.8 million, and Facebook spent $11.5 million.

Apple today confirmed it will release its $349 HomePod on February 9.

Fans will be able to pre-order the smart speaker from the Apple online store this Friday, January 26 — but only in three regions.

Google’s excellent Gboard keyboard is now even better on iOS, thanks to a handy GIF creation tool. Users can make two kinds of animated images using their iPhone’s camera, then send their creations via their favorite messaging services.

Grid Autosport, the iOS “console-quality” AAA racing game, just got even better, courtesy of an update.

It adds additional control options, including better car handling for people playing the game with MFi controllers. It also lets you switch off haptic feedback, as well as fixing bugs and making a couple of additional tweaks.

Sources in Apple’s supply chain have spilled the beans on the company’s iPhone upgrade plans for 2018.

Corroborating claims from one reliable analyst, a new report reveals we will see three new iPhone models this year — each with a different display.

Despite seemingly dropping plans for a sapphire display for the iPhone, Apple continues to be haunted by its brief venture into manufacturing using the material.

In addition to Apple’s sapphire supplier GT Advanced Technologies going bankrupt several years back, this week Apple was handed a lawsuit by manufacturer Hebei Hengbo Fine Ceramic Material. The company claims to have fallen out with Apple over terms for a contract involving high purity alumina melt stock, a material used as part of the sapphire process.

Tim Cook sure racks up the air miles! This week, Apple’s CEO visited Canada, where he made a surprise appearance at a downtown Toronto Apple Store, and took in a Maple Leafs game for good measure.

Incredibly, this is Cook’s first ever visit to Canada since assuming the role of Apple CEO back in August 2011.

Getting around the 175 acres of Apple Park has been made a little bit easier for employees thanks to a fleet of new bicycles on the new Apple campus. And in true Apple fashion, the design of the bikes is very minimalist.

Video of the all-chrome bicycles surfaced online this week after someone visited Apple’s campus. Over 1,000 of the shiny bikes can be found on campus with 2,000 parking spots.

Here’s what the bikes look like.

Apple is offering musicians an analytics dashboard through Apple Music for Artists. The new tool provides insight into the listening habits of fans, highlighting the number of track plays, song purchases, and more dating back to when Apple Music launched in June 2015.

Disney is bringing in an Apple veteran to help build its streaming service that will ultimately take on Netflix and maybe even Apple.

Kevin Swint, a former Apple employee that was in charge of the company’s worldwide iTunes movie business, was recently hired by Disney to help the company embrace streaming.

Apple’s HomePod speaker has once again leaked new information about its self ahead of its launch, including how you’ll manage its settings once you finally get one.

Screenshots from HomePod testers in France have leaked out online showing the different settings options you’ll be able to choose from in the HomePod iOS app.

Another Wall Street analyst has downgraded Apple shares, based on fears that iPhone demand is getting weaker. Atlantic Equities has lowered its rating on Apple from “overweight” to “neutral” on account of their predictions that Apple will be reporting disappointing sales for the March quarter.

“[We see] signs that iPhone demand is starting to soften, limited visibility into the potential for future iPhone cycles and emerging challenges to the smartphone’s dominance at the centre of consumer technology,” the firm wrote in a note to clients.

If you have an iPhone 6 Plus in need of replacement, you could be in line for an upgrade to iPhone 6s Plus. An internal document distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers gives permission for units to be upgraded until the end of March, though no reason is given.

Interest in Apple’s latest handsets is nearing an all-time low in the United States. A survey among customers with three of the largest carriers reveals the number of iPhone owners who plan to upgrade to a new iPhone is down more than seven percent.

New icons uncovered in the latest iOS 11.2.5 developer build confirm that, yes, HomePod owners will be able to disable the microphone on Apple’s smart speaker should so they wish to do so.

Given Apple’s privacy-conscious policies, and the fact that rival speakers made by Amazon and Google allow the same to be done, it’s no surprise that Apple would make that an option on HomePod. Still, it could help ease fears among customers concerned about the risk of housing an “always listening” speaker in their homes.

Apple has teamed up with Malala Fund to support girls’ education around the world. The iPhone-maker will become the fund’s first Laureate partner and will help double the number of grants awarded by the Gulmakai Network.

Tim Cook will give the commencement address for Duke University’s graduating class on May 13, 2018.

Cook is a 1988 MBA graduate of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, as well as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees. Cook has previously given successful, inspirational and funny commencement addresses at MIT, Auburn University (which he attended before Duke), and George Washington University.

Check out the Duke University announcement video, featuring a whole lot of animojis, below.

California’s historic Hearst cattle ranch is being used as a hybrid solar farm to provide power for Apple — partly thanks to Steve Jobs.

The Hearst ranch takes up 150,000 acres, split across two properties, on the border of San Luis Obispo County in central California. The land has been used for raising cattle since 1865, but are now also being used as the home of a 2,900-acre solar farm, which is providing energy to power the Apple Park campus.

Apple debuted a new ad for the iPhone X over the weekend. The 30-second commercial advertises the iPhone X’s Portrait Lighting selfie feature, and includes narration from the iconic boxing heavyweight champion and social activist Muhammad Ali.

Check it out below.