iOS 10.2 is now available for download with various new emoji, features and bug fixes

Apple has a surprise for iOS users today. iOS version 10.2 is now available for iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads. For Canadian users, we get over 100 new emoji created in surprising detail, the update also brings new settings and effects to Messages, including a timely celebration effect. Users of the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus now have three new wallpapers, all users can now preserve camera settings, there's also a new headphone icon when you're connected to  Bluetooth headphones. On my daily driver iPhone SE, the update weighed in at 331 MB and took 25 minutes plus a restart to install. 

iOS once more shows its superiority in terms of software updates. Checking Settings > General > Software Update quickly brings up the download as an option. No other mobile OS does this as well or as efficiently. Hit jump for the full list of changes.

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Microsoft Surface sales are at an all time high

Microsoft says interest and sales of their Surface line of products is at an all time high in November befhind the release of the new Surface Book with Performance Base, the Surface Studio as well as the discounted Surface Pro 4. Microsoft is also crediting its trade-inprogram, which accepts Apple MacBooks for trade-in value towards a new Surface device being behind some of their success.

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Review: 808

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple Music subscribers got a treat this week when 808, a documentary on the Roland TR-808 Drum Machine, was made available on the service (viewable via iTunes). The Roland 808 started as a tool to accompany organ players but in the hands of early rap and dance music producers it became the sound responsible for launching myriad music movements during the past 30 years.

The documentary is narrated by Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe  and features interviews with musical luminaries iike Afrikaa Bambataa (whose Planet Rock served as the blueprint for just what could be achieved with this tool turned instrument), The Beasti Boys, Rick Rubin, Fatboy Slim, New Order and a host of many others whose use of the 808 defined their careers, hit songs and various followers.

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The first Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer is finally here

The trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming is finally out and it looks very promising. We get a good dose of Tom Holland doing his Peter Parker/ Spider-Man bit, we get some Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Star and as Iron Man plus a sinister Michael Keaton as The Vulture. It looks like Marvel is setting the stage for a proper Spidey franchise and as with recent MCU films, I expect this one to be quite spectacular as both a coming of age story and adventuring outside the realm of the Avengers.