Apple HomePod Delayed To 2018

Surprised? Apple HomePod release date has been pushed to 2018, with the Cupertino based company saying that it needs a little more time to refine its anticipated smart speaker.

Apple unveiled HomePod, back in June at WWDC, along with a few other products that were scheduled for launch in December this year. This $349 Siri powered device was meant to compete with the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home in the smart speaker space.

However, the company has issued a statement saying that it will not be shipping until early next year:

“We can’t wait for people to experience HomePod, Apple’s breakthrough wireless speaker for the home, but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK and Australia in early 2018.”

Logical.

Good decision to delay the device, instead of putting out something that may not be ready. Some folks have already had some hands-on time with HomePod already, and the general consensus is that this is a device with significant potential — particularly for those that are already in the Apple ecosystem.

And although this is not the first time Apple has missed its promised ship date for an audio product, case in points AirPods, but this is still a significant setback.

The situation gets trickier when you consider that not only is the company showing up late to a market that is become more and more crowded, but will miss out on the holiday season entirely.

At least, it’s coming soon.

Oh well.