AppleInsider Staff
Apple recently announced that its highly anticipated premium HomePod speaker won't launch in December as was originally planned. AppleInsider brings you up to speed with everything you need to know about the HomePod's delay until 2018.
If you were hoping to have a HomePod under your Christmas tree this season, you're going to be disappointed.
Originally scheduled to ship in December, Apple has delayed the highly anticipated HomePod until early 2018.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple said that they can't wait for people to experience the HomePod, but they need a little more time before it's ready for customers. The premium speaker will ship first to the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Apple didn't immediately offer an explanation for the delay.
When it ships, the HomePod will be Apple's first step into the world of intelligent home speakers like the current Amazon Echo and Google Home. These devices can already be used to search the web and control devices in homes like turning the lights on, all with voice-control.
Apple is known for building their devices to support the Apple ecosystem, meaning cross-platform support between a range of devices to make them feel like a part of a web of technology that works even better together.
Apple's HomeKit already has 15 categories of compatible devices that can be controlled with your iPhone or iPad, including lights, door locks, thermostats, fans. With AirPlay 2, they've added Speakers — like the HomePod — to the list as well.
Imagine a future where you can control literally every piece of technology in your home just by talking to the HomePod or using your IOS device.
You can even have multiple HomePods set up in different rooms and they'll work together.
While Apple has positioned the device as a premium, high-quality speaker, the accessory is also Apple's answer to intelligent home speakers like Amazon's Echo and Google Home.
With Siri support built in, the speaker is capable of answering basic user queries, controlling HomeKit-connected appliances and playing back media content. HomePod puts a premium on performance and design, with a 3D mesh acoustic fabric enshrouding a 7-tweeter pack, 6-microphone beamforming array and central up-firing subwoofer.
The HomePod will also feature AirPlay 2 technology, which allows one iOS device to simultaneously stream music to multiple speakers at once. Third-party accessory makers will also have the ability to integrate AirPlay 2, but it's not clear whether the HomePod delay will also affect alternative AirPlay 2 certified speakers.
With the iPhone X now available and the HomePod delayed, the only remaining product expected from Apple in 2017 is the all-new iMac Pro. Apple has said that the professional-grade all-in-one desktop will launch in December starting at $4,999.
Marko Zivkovic
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
26 Comments
Of course most who are interested will wait. I doubt there's much question about that.
Of course we'll wait...I'm sure it'll be worth it.
Here’s another waiting peps, i wanted it perfect rather than half baked product....
Apple is very late to this segment. I've had a Sonos system for a couple of years now & the addition of Alexa, control from the Pandora app and other innovations makes it a very good package. The sound is also excellent. I use Amazon prime for my music service as well which works with Alexa and Sonos seamlessly. Even though I have been an apple booster since 2004, I can't see investing in this speaker at all.