This adds credence to the idea that software was what held up the launch of the HomePod, which was originally supposed to ship in December.

The two biggest known new features in this release are Messages on iCloud and Business Chat, plus the gorgeous wallpaper included with iMac Pro.

We are pleased to have iDrive as our sponsor here at TMO this week. Cloud backup is something we talk about a lot here on the site and on our Mac Geek Gab podcast, and iDrive is doing a lot of things right. First in the “doing things right” department, iDrive is giving TMO readers a special deal on their Personal Plan, which gets you 2TB of cloud backup storage for 1 year for just US$6.95. Read more about iDrive after the jump.

Opinions are going to be all over the map regarding Apple’s new HomePod. Here’s what to look for.

They’re both Animoji Karaoke videos stitched together with effects and compositing that you might expect from a major production.

AppAnnie also found that Netflix was the top grossing app by customer spend.

You can pre-order an Apple HomePod smart speaker today for delivery on February 9th, and you can choose in-store pickup, too.

This is probably one of the best “tests” that the iPhone camera could have.

John Martellaro and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to discuss HomePod pre-orders, Apple’s product marketing, and Siri’s music voice control.

We have a deal on a pair of Paww WaveSound 3 noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones. They feature two 40mm Neodymium drivers, and use multiple microphones to block out as much as 20dB of unwanted ambient noise. They’re $79.99 through our deal.

Developers need to make sure the apps and updates they submit to Apple’s Mac App Store are 64-bit starting on January 31st, 2018.

Looking for a HomePod but don’t have an Apple Store nearby? Best Buy is selling Apple’s smart speaker, too.

Finder’s “Relative Dates” feature will use words like “Today” and “Yesterday” on the modification or creation dates for your files and folders. If you don’t like this, though, it’s a piece of cake to turn off, and we’ve got the details in today’s Quick Tip!

Apple started pre-orders for its HomePod smart speaker Friday morning with deliveries set for February 9th.

This is yet another blow for those, particularly small businesses, that were relying on Apple for Enterprise/IT services.

The update to Apple’s digital audio workstation (DAW) includes Smart Tempo, project-side tempo controls, as well as four new effects.

NAMM – The plugin includes six different Leslie rotary speaker models and five Leslie amp models.

It’s being reported by those who have installed the first beta of tvOS 11.3 that it supports Dolby Vision on specific Sony 4K/UHD TVs.

There are no details yet, but Damien will write and direct every episode, and will also serve as the executive producer.

The content probably won’t appear until 2019, with the majority of the production happening in 2018. The list will be updated continuously, so be sure to bookmark this page.

Apple released the first iOS 11.3 public beta on Thursday, just a day after releasing developer beta 1.

Apple’s HomePod is a streaming music smart speaker first and a Siri voice assistant second, which means there are some limitations you should be ready for. Read on to see what Siri can, and can’t, do on HomePod.

If you see the password prompt but don’t see the icon, it should give you a warning that it’s not legitimate.

Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s plan to get a stronger foothold in the ebook market, plus they look at what’s new in AirPlay 2.

We have a deal on TypeIt4Me for Mac, software that makes it easy to create shortcuts that expand to longer words, phrases or pictures. You can get it through us for $9.99, half off retail.

Apple’s educational coding environment Swift Playgrounds 2 for iPad is available now with support for subscribing to playgrounds from third-party developers and additional robots.

Apple has a new strategy for gaining marketshare in the ebook space, and it hired away Amazon’s Audible vice president to help make that happen.

Bob LeVitus revisits his printing obsession, with a focus on the new Epson WorkForce 4750 EcoTank printer. [Updated with current pricing information.]

Rumor has it that Apple is going to release a new entry level 13″ MacBook. Bryan and Jeff discuss how it might fit in Apple’s Mac product line, and what they would like to see in such a device. They also talk about Bitcoin mining and why it uses so much electricity, as well as the roles cryptocurrencies could play in our lives.

John delves into just what exactly AirPlay 2 is.

We’ve searched the App Store to tell you about some Instagram alternatives, if you’re looking for one.

Amazon Echo and Google Home have squeaky sounding speakers, so that’s why you should buy a HomePod, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Details about the lawsuit aren’t known, however the damages that Hebai Hengbo wants is worth more than US$75,000.

John Martellaro and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to look at the new feaetures in Apple’s iOS 11.3 update for the iPhone and iPad.

Apple’s first developer beta for iOS 11.3 is out with new Animoji, improved ARKit and HomeKit, Business Chat, and more. A public beta is coming soon.

I am pleased to welcome iDrive as our sponsor here at TMO this week. Cloud backup is something we talk about a lot here on the site and on our Mac Geek Gab podcast, and iDrive is doing a lot of things right. First in the “doing things right” department, iDrive is giving TMO readers a special deal on their Personal Plan, which gets you 2TB of cloud backup storage for 1 year for just US$6.95. Read more about iDrive after the jump.

Apple’s HomePod isn’t a completely stand alone smart speaker, so you need to have a compatible iPhone or iPad. Here are the compatible models, along with the required version of iOS.

Rogue Amoeba, known well for the many audio tools they make to help podcasters and more, today released Farrago. Built to allow podcasters (and beyond) to quickly play sound bites, audio effects, theme music, and more during live shows or live-to-“tape” recordings, Farrago has an elegant grid-based interface to allow quick and easy access to everything.

iOS 11.3 for the iPhone and iPad is coming this spring and it’ll included the promised power management for worn out batteries feature, along with new Animoji characters, Health Records management, and more.

We have a deal on the TREBLAB FX100 Rugged Bluetooth Speaker. It features a 7000mAh rechargeable power bank you can use to power both your speaker and your mobile devices. It’s $49.97 through us.

Bryan Chaffin gives you three easy ways to defeat a browser hijack in iOS 11: clearing your cache, disabling JavaScript, and using an external link to force open a new window or tab.

Support for HomePod in iTunes 12.7.3 includes menu options designed specifically to control the device.

The update addresses the same “issue that could cause Messages conversations to temporarily be listed out of order” patched in the main macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 update.

At this time, Apple only lets you change the Move goal, not Stand or Exercise.

The HomePod will be available to order this Friday, January 26.

A bitter complaint about the Apple retail store notwithstanding, there’s no better place to experience Apple, its products and service.